Never Stop Praying

Through the years I've often done battle with the word never. I've learned it's in my best interest not to use it. It's a word that you often have to eat.

But I feel confidant in using it in this title. I was reminded of it this morning in a devotion I read. It told of George Muller, who founded orphanages in England in the 1800s, and the five close friends he prayed for to be saved.

After five years, he saw one friend saved. Another 10 years he saw another friend saved. Another 25 years of prayer found two more friends saved. That left one of the original five. Muller died not seeing the last one saved.

He had prayed for some 50 years for his friends. Fifty years. That's a long time to continue praying when you see sporadic results.

Scripture that is most often quoted regarding persistent prayer is found in Luke 18:2-6. Jesus tells his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. It's the story of the widow who kept coming to the judge with her plea. The judge finally granted her request to get rid of her.

I certainly have prayers that I've been praying for years but have seen no answer. A number in fact. But I keep on praying for I know God answers prayer in His time and His way. Maybe I won't be here to see all of my prayers answered, as George Muller, but that doesn't stop my hope in praying.

Oh, that 5th friend of Muller's. He surrendered his life to Christ at Muller's funeral.

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:15). The point is never to give up until the answer comes. For our God is gracious and generous and His works are miraculous.

I like this quote by Oswald Chambers, "The prayer of the feeblest saint on earth who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan."

The early snow brought two bucks to our back gate. We hadn't seen them since summer.