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Edward Payson
Edward Payson (1783 - 1827). American Congregationalist pastor and revivalist born in Rindge, New Hampshire, to a Puritan minister’s family. Graduating from Harvard in 1803, he taught school before studying theology under his father, Seth Payson. Ordained in 1807, he pastored Second Congregational Church in Portland, Maine, for 20 years, growing it from 70 to over 400 members. Known as “Praying Payson,” his intense prayer life fueled the 1816 revival, converting hundreds. He delivered over 2,000 sermons, published posthumously as Sermons for Christian Families (1831), emphasizing God’s sovereignty and personal piety. A leader in Maine’s evangelical awakening, he influenced missions through the American Board. Married to Ann Louisa Shipman in 1811, they had eight children, six surviving. Despite chronic illness, his devotional writings reached thousands, translated into French and German. Payson’s words, “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister,” defined his ministry. His memoirs, edited by Asa Cummings, remain a classic in Reformed circles, inspiring figures like Charles Spurgeon.
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Sermon Summary
Edward Payson emphasizes the importance of prayer as a reflection of our dependence on God and our recognition of His ability to provide for our needs. He highlights that prayer is not just a duty but a privilege that allows us to seek God's guidance, strength, protection, mercy, and grace. Payson warns against the prideful attitude of self-sufficiency that leads individuals to neglect prayer and rely solely on their own abilities, ultimately rejecting God's assistance and presence in their lives.
Humility & Prayer
It is natural to man, from his earliest infancy, to cry for relief when in danger or distress, if he supposes that any one able to relieve him is within hearing of his cries. Every man then who feels his own dependence upon God, and his need of blessings which God only can bestow, will pray to Him. He will feel that prayer is not only his duty, but his highest privilege. The man then who refuses or neglects to pray, who regards prayer not as a privilege, but as a wearisome and needless task practically says in the most unequivocal manner, I am not dependent on God; I want nothing that He can give; and therefore I will not come to Him, nor ask anything from His hand. I will not ask Him to crown my work with success, for I am able, and determined, to be the architect of my own future. I will not ask Him to instruct or guide me, for I am competent to be my own instructor and guide. I will not ask Him to strengthen and support me, for I am strong in the vigor and resources of my own mind. I will not request His protection, for I am able to protect myself. I will not implore His pardoning mercy nor His sanctifying grace for I have need of neither the one nor the other. I will not ask His presence and aid in the hour of death. For I can meet and grapple, unsupported, with the king of terrors, and enter, undaunted and alone, any unknown world into which He may usher me. Such is the language of all who neglect prayer.
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Edward Payson (1783 - 1827). American Congregationalist pastor and revivalist born in Rindge, New Hampshire, to a Puritan minister’s family. Graduating from Harvard in 1803, he taught school before studying theology under his father, Seth Payson. Ordained in 1807, he pastored Second Congregational Church in Portland, Maine, for 20 years, growing it from 70 to over 400 members. Known as “Praying Payson,” his intense prayer life fueled the 1816 revival, converting hundreds. He delivered over 2,000 sermons, published posthumously as Sermons for Christian Families (1831), emphasizing God’s sovereignty and personal piety. A leader in Maine’s evangelical awakening, he influenced missions through the American Board. Married to Ann Louisa Shipman in 1811, they had eight children, six surviving. Despite chronic illness, his devotional writings reached thousands, translated into French and German. Payson’s words, “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister,” defined his ministry. His memoirs, edited by Asa Cummings, remain a classic in Reformed circles, inspiring figures like Charles Spurgeon.