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"Praying Payson of Portland"
Leonard Ravenhill

Leonard Ravenhill (1907 - 1994). British-American evangelist, author, and revivalist born in Leeds, England. Converted at 14 in a Methodist revival, he trained at Cliff College, a Methodist Bible school, and was mentored by Samuel Chadwick. Ordained in the 1930s, he preached across England with the Faith Mission and held tent crusades, influenced by the Welsh Revival’s fervor. In 1950, he moved to the United States, later settling in Texas, where he ministered independently, focusing on prayer and repentance. Ravenhill authored books like Why Revival Tarries (1959) and Sodom Had No Bible, urging the church toward holiness. He spoke at major conferences, including with Youth for Christ, and mentored figures like David Wilkerson and Keith Green. Married to Martha Beaton in 1939, they had three sons, all in ministry. Known for his fiery sermons and late-night prayer meetings, he corresponded with A.W. Tozer and admired Charles Spurgeon. His writings and recordings, widely available online, emphasize spiritual awakening over institutional religion. Ravenhill’s call for revival continues to inspire evangelical movements globally.
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Sermon Summary
This sermon reflects on the powerful legacy of a praying patient in Portland who dedicated himself to fervent prayer, leaving physical marks on his knees as a testament to his commitment. It emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer and intercession, highlighting the impact of a life devoted to seeking God.
Sermon Transcription
Supposing I could say to Gabriel this morning, Gabriel, hand this book down. Well, let's preview eternity. Here we are, millions of people, all the prayer bodies. America has produced some of the greatest praying patient of Portland, at a floor harder than that, and at the sight of his dead, when he knows he used to pray, and pray, and pray. And when they washed his body for burial, he had great big hooves on his knees like camels, like history says that James, in the Bible, had camel's knees, at least tradition says that. Well, it's a living fact that patient had them. And when they were washing him, somebody said, but what, what abnormal knees, they're calloused, they're heavy with calluses. Yeah, because he used to pray at the side of his bed, with energy. And in that hard floor, he wore two grooves like that, about six or seven inches long, where he used to pray and make intercession. Praying patient of Portland.
"Praying Payson of Portland"
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Leonard Ravenhill (1907 - 1994). British-American evangelist, author, and revivalist born in Leeds, England. Converted at 14 in a Methodist revival, he trained at Cliff College, a Methodist Bible school, and was mentored by Samuel Chadwick. Ordained in the 1930s, he preached across England with the Faith Mission and held tent crusades, influenced by the Welsh Revival’s fervor. In 1950, he moved to the United States, later settling in Texas, where he ministered independently, focusing on prayer and repentance. Ravenhill authored books like Why Revival Tarries (1959) and Sodom Had No Bible, urging the church toward holiness. He spoke at major conferences, including with Youth for Christ, and mentored figures like David Wilkerson and Keith Green. Married to Martha Beaton in 1939, they had three sons, all in ministry. Known for his fiery sermons and late-night prayer meetings, he corresponded with A.W. Tozer and admired Charles Spurgeon. His writings and recordings, widely available online, emphasize spiritual awakening over institutional religion. Ravenhill’s call for revival continues to inspire evangelical movements globally.