The Power of Prayer

"Although the Atlantic was rough, the ship remained on schedule until running into thick fog off Newfoundland.  Captain Dutton had been on the bridge for twenty-four hours when George Muller appeared at his side.

'Captain, I have come to tell you that I must be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon'
'It is impossible,' said the captain
'Very well,' said Muller, 'if your ship cannot take me, God will find some other way... Let us go down into the chart-room and pray.'

Muller then knelt down and prayed simply.  When he had finished the captain was about to pray, but Muller put his hand on his shoulder.
'Do not pray.  First, you don't believe He will answer, and second, I believe He has and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it.'

The captain walked across to the door and opened it.  The fog had lifted."(177-178)

George's need to be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon was not to enjoy a vacation he had planned, but rather to start his first preaching tour in the United States on time.  This is one of the many amazing stories from George Muller's life in Delighted In God.  George not only chose to lead his family and pastor a church without a salary, but also went on from there to build five large orphanages housing thousands of children by praying for every penny of the building costs, food, etc!

I am not saying that we all need to quit earning salaries or build orphanages by praying in every penny, but reading about his life has really reminded me of the power and importance of prayer in our lives.  It can be easy to recite the same prayers habitually without thought or only ask for what we need or want, like God is some genie granting wishes.  It can be hard to figure out the balance of coming to God with a request, believing He will answer, hoping for the answer, and then trusting in His timing and waiting patiently.  George Muller said, "asking aright/correctly has three elements:

1- Desiring God's glory
2- Confessing our unworthiness and pleading the merits of Jesus
3- Believing that we do receive the things for which we ask"(180)

Let's also remember to be thankful even during difficult times.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Hopefully, years down the road, after we have our little one at home and we're just going about daily life, I will remember all that I have learned.  Prayer is something that is always important, not just as I go through the long and exhausting process of adoption.

Near the end of his life, Muller said this about the Lord:
"'He has never failed me!  For nearly seventy years every need in connection with this work has been supplied.  The orphans from the first until now, have numbered nine thousand five hundred, but they have never wanted a meal.  Never!  Hundreds of times we have commenced the day without a penny in hand, but our Heavenly Father has sent supplies by the moment they were actually required.  There never was a time when there was no wholesome meal.  During all these years I have been enabled to trust God, in the living God, and in Him alone.  One million four hundred thousand pounds have been sent to me in answer to prayer.  We have wanted as much as fifty thousand pounds in one year, and it has all come by the time it has been really needed.'" (221)

I have always known that prayer is important.  I have even prayed continuously throughout my days.  Yet prayer has always been a bit mysterious to me.  I am sure I will continue to grow in this area, but I have learned so much about prayer in the reading of this book and through the study of God's word.  The fog has lifted!



"George Muller: Delighted in God, Roger Steer"

Ashley Dlugosz