God Answers Prayer

Let’s say you woke up one morning burdened to start an orphanage. What would you consider a top priority? Fundraising might be a good choice, since it’s tough to do much of anything in this world without money.

But more than 180 years ago, a German-born preacher living in Bristol, England, decided to do things differently. A cholera outbreak had orphaned hundreds of children in the British city, and George Mueller wanted to help.

His principal concern, though, was that people would see God’s hand in meeting the project’s needs, so Mueller never asked for money. He would discover a need, pray, and it would be met in what some would call a miraculous fashion. During his life, his orphanages cared for more than 10,000 children— supported by over $120 million in today’s dollars that came through prayer.

George Mueller’s story reminds us to not only “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) but to have a deeper trust in God. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

Citing it here is not to suggest readers try to “pray up” a few million dollars. Rather, it is to demonstrate a life of faith and believe that “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Having a fruitful prayer life can mean serving and growing a local church, enjoying a career of service to others, or being a successful spouse and parent.

But the key to receiving from God is to ask. Jesus told a parable about a persistent widow to illustrate “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” as we read in Luke 18:1. The life of prayer really is a life of always praying, and always acknowledging that we are dependent upon our heavenly Father’s care.

Apply It:

How important is prayer in your life? Talk with God as you would to a loving father, because He truly does love you and your needs are safe in His hands.

Dig Deeper:

Luke 18:1–6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18