It is believed that the Apostle James, spent so much time praying that he developed calluses on his knees; so much so that those around him nicknamed him “Camel’s Knees”. Though it was believed that the Apostle James had them; it was a fact that Edward Payson did!
Edward Payson
Born July 25, 1783, Edward Payson was an intercessor! Early in Edward’s life, the prospect of his mortality began to come to mind. It was during this time that he would come across a copy of “The Life and Diary of David Brainard”. Edward had never seen anything like the life of this remarkable saint! The life of David Brainard would become the spark that Edward needed!
Edward’s conversion would soon follow and he would start a prayer life that some would say came close to rivaling that of the precious saint David Brainard.
Call to ministry
Edward would begin his call in ministry in 1807, preaching with the full power of the Holy Spirit. Though his power of preaching was well renowned and sought after; Edward cared not for the things of this world. He sought only to please our Heavenly Father.
He would turn down all outside offers; choosing only to care for the small flock that our Heavenly Father entrusted him with.
The Secret to his Ministry
The secret to his ministry was his prayer life! He prayed and prayed, wearing grooves in the hardwood floor on the side of his bed. You see this was the spot where he spent hours upon hours rocking and praying with passion!
Praying Man of God
By the age of forty four, Praying Payson of Portland had worn his body down. He would spend his last days in great pain; and as his pain grew so did his love for our God.
On October 22, 1827, with exceeding joy, Edward Payson would step into his eternal home!
His body would be removed to be washed for burial. It was at this time that those great hooves were discovered on his knees! He had developed “Camel’s Knees” from praying and praying and praying on that hardwood floor with passion!
Mighty Prayer Warrior
Like most of the world’s greatest intercessor’s much is not recorded about the life of this precious saint. That is because the mighty prayer warriors of this world lived in the background. They did the heavy lifting, the hard work of fighting and wrestling with principalities that are not of this world.
For as Paul records for us in his epistle to the Ephesians:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)
Edward Payson, was one of these mighty intercessors and one of those of whom the world was not worthy.
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If you missed the blog on that precious saint David Brainard; click the link below:
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