The story of John Nelson Hyde is one that would stir up most Christians to live for what truly matters; knowing we are pilgrims here and we have a short time.
But as he was departing, a prominent minister told John he needed the Baptism of the Holy Ghost to be effective as a missionary.
John Hyde felt insulted. He believed he was already baptized and said so.
The man said he'd be praying for him.
However, when John Hyde got to India, God began to deal with him. The Lord revealed to him he indeed needed to be baptized in the Holy Ghost and be prepared for the work. And no one could prepare him adequately but God Himself.
John began to pray earnestly to be filled with the Holy Ghost. He also realized certain besetting sins got the better of him. He honestly told God that if He did not give him, John, total victory over his besetting sins, he'd pack his things and return to America. What's the point of preaching about a Saving Jesus, when you're not completely saved from your own sins?
This was a man more interested in pleasing God than in working for God.
The Lord granted John his desires. He was cleansed from his besetting sins and also filled with the Holy Ghost.
John then began to hold prayer meetings. Whenever there was a program to be held by believers, John Hyde would hide himself away in the secret place and intercede for an outpouring of the Holy Ghost on those present.
He'd lie on the floor and pray all through the night. Few brothers joined him as they stood as Intercessors.
It was said that John fasted often and spoke very little.
He seldom showed his face at whatever program was on but prayed incessantly. John Hyde prayed so much that he became known as 'Praying Hyde'.
He was also known as The Man Who Never Sleeps, because he'd stay awake praying not just for the programs now but for God to move in India.
He also wept for souls. Thousands were dying daily and heading to eternity without Christ. He was going to be the Watchman and petition God for mercy upon the land.
Then John Hyde began to go out to evangelize. He told God to give him one soul everyday. Then he asked for two and then three.
People were amazed at his faith but this was a man who spent time in the presence of God and knew God.
John Hyde decided not to marry so as to fully dedicate his life to the cause of Christ.
However, after some time, doctors began to warn John Hyde about his heart. He was straining it too much with his fervent prayers. He was asked to take it easy.
But John Hyde was completely sold out to his Intercession Ministry. The Kingdom of darkness never took a day off, so why should he? He thought he'd rest only after he'd left this world. He'd have all of eternity to rest. Now was the time to work.
Like Apostle Paul said, I have been crucified to the world and the world has been crucified to me. John was dead to the world.
But reality was, John Hyde's health was failing fast and he was becoming weaker.
When he visited the hospital he was alarmingly told his heart had shifted a little from its original position. He had a short time to live.
For those who think this is ridiculous, kindly read Luke 22, when Jesus prayed so fervently that His sweat became like drops of blood.
Christians often talk about martyrs, who were killed by the sword or some physical means.
A friend of John Hyde described him as a man who martyred himself to death through incessant fervent prayers.
John Hyde returned to the United States, where he died in 1912 at the age of 47.
Christianity was not born in affluence and luxury. It was birthed through travail of soul in prayer.
It was the prayer Jesus prayed in Gethsemane that led Him to Calvary: to His death and resurrection.
It was the burden He had for humans that made Him pray the way He did.
May we stir ourselves up in prayer for the time is short. Your family, community, State and even nation needs your prayers.
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