Charles Finney’s Experiencing the Presence of God serves as a profound 4-in-1 anthology that synthesizes his most influential works, including Power from on High, The Secret of Faith, How to Experience Revival, and Living for God. Compiled to provide a comprehensive guide for modern believers, the text explores the intersection of human willpower and divine empowerment. The Blueprint for Personal and Corporate Revival
Finney, often hailed as the "Father of Modern Revivalism," emphasizes that revival is not a miraculous accident but the result of the "right use of the appropriate means". His core argument posits that experiencing God’s presence requires a deliberate "breaking up of fallow ground"—a metaphor for deep repentance and the removal of spiritual hardness.
Finney, Experiencing the Presence of God - Life and Leadership
Before diving into the PDF, one must understand the man. Charles Finney was not a product of a seminary; he was a skeptic who experienced a dramatic conversion in 1821. He later became a professor at Oberlin College and a prolific author.
Finney observed that many Christians in his day lived in a "spiritual stupor." They attended church out of habit but lacked a tangible awareness of God. His sermons on the "Presence of God" were born out of a desire to shake the church from its complacency.
Unlike the mystics of the medieval era who sought God through isolation, Finney taught that the presence of God was an experiential reality available to every believer through obedience and faith. By the 2020s, a resurgence of interest in historic revivalists led to a flood of digitized versions of his work—hence the demand for the 2021 edition of his collected teachings.
"Will thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" (Psalm 85:6).
A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. It is a waking up of the church to a sense of her duty and responsibility. It is a return from a backslidden state.
What is a Revival?
It presupposes that the church is sunk down in a backslidden state. It implies that the church is in a state of spiritual declension. It is not a work of miracles, but a work of providence. It is the result of the right use of means.
A revival consists in the return of the church from her backslidings, and in the conversion of sinners to God. It always includes conviction of sin on the part of the church, and a turning from the ways of the world to serve the living God.
The Necessity of Prayer
A revival is preceded by a spirit of prayer. This is the most essential condition. There must be a spirit of agonizing, prevailing prayer. Not the official prayer of the pulpit, but the secret, fervent prayer of the closet.
The reason why there are so few revivals is because there is so little prayer. Christians have got to be醒 (awakened) to the necessity of praying for the outpouring of the Spirit. They have got to pray as if they meant it. They must "pray without ceasing."
The Necessity of Confession
There must be confession of sin. Christians must confess their faults one to another. They must humble themselves before God. They must make restitution where they have wronged others. They must bring forth fruits meet for repentance.
If you have defrauded anyone, go and pay the debt. If you have slandered anyone, go and retract the slander. If you have quarreled with a brother, go and be reconciled. God will not hear your prayers if you regard iniquity in your heart. experiencing the presence of god by charles finney pdf 2021
The Necessity of Faith
There must be faith. Not a dead, inactive faith, but a living, acting faith. A faith that expects to receive what it asks for. A faith that takes hold of the promises and believes that God is true.
When these conditions are fulfilled, a revival is as certain as the rising of the sun. God has promised to "pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground" (Isaiah 44:3).
Finney famously rejected the idea that revival was a sovereign act of God that humans had to passively wait for. In Experiencing the Presence of God, he writes that just as a farmer knows that planting seeds leads to a harvest (the law of cause and effect), a Christian who meets the biblical conditions will experience God’s presence. For Finney, experiencing God is not luck; it is law.
Reading the PDF is not enough; Finney demanded application. Here is how to implement the principles from Experiencing the Presence of God in your daily life in 2025 and beyond:
The content within this collection focuses heavily on Finney’s core theology regarding the Holy Spirit and the human response to God.
1. The Reality of Divine Presence Finney rejected the idea that God’s presence is merely a theological concept. He argued that the presence of God is a palpable reality that a believer can physically and spiritually perceive. He taught that the Holy Spirit "broods" over the church and the individual, and that Christians should expect to feel this influence as surely as one feels the wind.
2. The Conditions of Fellowship A central tenet of Finney’s writing is that experiencing God is conditional. He emphasizes that God does not dwell in an unclean temple. Therefore, the text often outlines the prerequisites for experiencing God’s presence:
3. The "Prayer of Faith" One of Finney’s most famous theological contributions, often included in this collection, is his teaching on the "Prayer of Faith." He argued that believers can pray with an assurance that God will answer, provided they are praying in alignment with
Charles Finney's Experiencing the Presence of God (often available as an anthology or through Whitaker House
) focuses on how to maintain a consistent, daily relationship with the divine and access "power from on high". Key Content Themes
The book is structured to guide readers from spiritual dryness into a proactive, spirit-filled life: Power from on High
: Explores receiving spiritual strength to overcome worldly obstacles and effectively serve God. The Secret of Faith
: Teaches how to live in the "freedom of faith" rather than legalistic struggle. True Obedience
: Focuses on resting in obedience and overcoming sin through a personal connection with Christ. Experiencing Revival
: Practical insights on fostering personal and communal spiritual awakening. Knowing God's Will Charles Finney’s Experiencing the Presence of God serves
: Guidance on discerning God's purpose for your life through constant communion. Amazon.com Included Works In many modern editions, such as the 4-in-1 Anthology Christianbook.com
, the content is curated from Finney's broader teachings on: Power from on High The Secret of Faith How to Experience Revival Living for God Life and Leadership Finney, a key figure of the Second Great Awakening
, emphasizes that a revival is not a miracle but the "right use of the appropriate means" available to every believer through prayer and the Holy Spirit. Books At a Glance or more information on Finney's theology of revival Experiencing The Presence Of God: Charles Finney
Charles Finney reveals how you can receive power from on high, rest in true obedience, overcome sin, live in the freedom of faith, Amazon.com Experiencing The Presence Of God (4 In 1 Anthology) - eBook
Charles Finney reveals how you can receive power from on high, rest in true obedience, overcome sin, live in the freedom of faith, Christian Book Experiencing God's Presence by Finney | PDF - Scribd
The book teaches how to maintain a daily relationship with God and receive power from on high by living in God's presence. Experiencing God's Presence by Finney | PDF - Scribd
The book teaches how to maintain a daily relationship with God and receive power from on high by living in God's presence.
Finney, Experiencing the Presence of God - Life and Leadership
Charles Grandison Finney, the 19th-century revivalist, did not write a book specifically in 2021, as he passed away in 1875. However, many modern collections and "lost" journals were republished around that time to help modern readers access his teachings on spiritual intimacy. The following story is a narrative adaptation of his most famous personal accounts regarding the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit," which is the core of his experience with the presence of God.
In the autumn of 1821, a young, skeptical lawyer named Charles Finney found himself haunted by the state of his soul. He lived in Adams, New York, a man of logic and law, yet he felt a profound emptiness that his legal books could not fill. On a crisp October morning, the weight of his internal struggle became unbearable. He decided that he must settle the question of his spirit once and for all.
Finney slipped out of his law office and headed into the woods. He found a secluded spot where several trees had fallen, creating a natural alcove. He knelt down, determined to pray until he felt a connection to the divine. For hours, he struggled. Every time he tried to speak, he felt as though someone was watching him, mocking his sudden piety. He realized his pride was the barrier; he was more ashamed of being seen praying than he was of his own sins.
Finally, he broke. He cried out to God, surrendering his intellect and his reputation. In that moment of total honesty, a passage of Scripture entered his mind: "Then shall ye go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you." The peace that followed was so thick it felt tangible. He walked back to town, his mind quiet, his heart strangely light.
That evening, the experience intensified. While sitting alone in the back room of his law office, the room seemed to grow bright. Finney later described it as if he were meeting Jesus Christ face-to-face. He didn't see a physical form with his eyes, but he felt a presence so real that he fell at the figure's feet and wept like a child.
As he returned to the front office to sit by the fire, a "mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost" descended upon him. He described it as waves of liquid love passing through his body and soul. It was not a metaphorical feeling; it was a physical sensation that felt like electric shocks of joy. He wept loudly with such ecstasy that he couldn't contain himself. When a member of his choir happened to walk in and saw the dignified lawyer sobbing on the floor in a trance of joy, the man asked if he was in pain. "No," Finney replied. "I am too happy to live."
This encounter changed everything. The next morning, when a client came into his office to discuss a court case, Finney looked at him and said, "I have a retainer from the Lord Jesus Christ to plead His cause, and I cannot plead yours." He left the law behind that day, beginning a journey that would lead to some of the greatest religious revivals in American history. Key Themes of Finney’s Experience
Total Surrender: The presence only came after he gave up his pride. Centering breath (2–3 min) before prayer/reading
Physical Sensation: He emphasized that God’s presence was felt in the body, not just the mind.
Inward Light: The experience provided an "intellectual clarity" about his purpose.
The "Liquid Love": This is his most famous descriptor for the feeling of divine grace.
If you are looking for a specific PDF version or a modern study guide from 2021, I can help you: Search for free digital archives of his memoirs.
Find modern commentaries published in 2021 that analyze his journals.
Locate audiobook versions if you prefer to listen to his life story.
Charles Grandison Finney , often called the "Father of Modern Revivalism," wrote extensively on the concept of living in God's presence . His work, Experiencing the Presence of God published by Whitaker House
, is a collection of his teachings focused on maintaining a daily, proactive relationship with the Divine. Amazon.com
Below is a summary of the core themes found in this work, often searched for as a PDF online Key Themes of "Experiencing the Presence of God" Receiving Power from on High
: Finney emphasizes that believers can receive a "baptism of the Holy Spirit" that provides the spiritual strength needed for effective ministry and overcoming the world. The Secret of Faith
: He teaches that true faith is not just intellectual belief but a resting in the Lord and an active choice of the will to trust God's promises. True Obedience
: For Finney, experiencing God's presence is tied to "true obedience" and a heart that is entirely alive to God’s service. Overcoming Sin
: He argues that strength to overcome worldly addictions and sin is found through daily communion with Christ. Spiritual Growth through Communion
: Finney outlines steps for devotion, suggesting that believers persist in prayer until "conscious communion" is secured, often recommending reading the Bible on one's knees. Life and Leadership Notable Accounts of His Experience
Finney was known for the physical and spiritual intensity of his own encounters with God: God's Call
Nothing in this world can hold you back from experiencing the fullness of life that God has for you. So, what are you waiting for? God's Call Experiencing God's Presence by Finney | PDF - Scribd
Because Finney was deeply involved in the abolitionist movement and social reform, his concept of "presence" always bled into ethics. You cannot feel the presence of God in worship if you are cheating your neighbor or ignoring the poor. The 2021 rediscovery of Finney often aligns with social justice movements within evangelicalism.