KEYS TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER

Does God really hear and answer your prayers? Look at God’s dealings with George Mueller, a man who said, “I have joyfully dedicated my whole life to the object of showing how much may be accomplished by prayer and faith.”

GOD ALONE IS THE SOURCE

One of main works of his life was the establishment of a large orphanage at Bristol, England. In 64 years from the outset of this work, Mr. Mueller cared for 10,024 orphans, established 7-day schools which 81,501 children attended; founded 12 Sunday schools which instructed a total of 32,944 children: and aided 25 Sunday schools in England and Wales. He contributed large sums of money to foreign mission work, distributed 1,989,266 Bibles and parts thereof, circulated 3,101,338 books and tracts, and traveled in 42 countries preaching the Gospel to 3,000,000 hearers. In all, he received from and gave back to God $7,500,000; at no time asking anyone for so much as a penny.

He was a man who knew by experience what it is for God to “give us this day our daily bread.” He remarked, “From August 1838, to April 1849, we had day by day, almost without interruption, to look to Him for our daily supplies, and, for a great part of the time, from meal to meal.” Materials were not the only things this man of God received in answered prayer. He made this statement: “Thousands of souls have been saved in answer to my prayers.”

HE NEVER GAVE UP

What was the secret of Mueller’s power with God. He took time to be alone with God in prayer, mediation, and Bible study. He would study the Bible on his knees in prayer. He said, “I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always coming. Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded, a thing is right, I go on praying for it until the end comes. I never give up!”

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER

Conditions of prevailing prayer that were always before George Mueller’s mind are:

1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only ground of any claim for blessing (John 14:13–14).

John 14:13–14 KJV - 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

2. Separation from all known sin (Psalm 66:18).

Psalm 66:18 KJV - 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

3. Faith in God’s Word of promise (Hebrews 11:6).

Hebrews 11:6 KJV - 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly (James 4:3).

James 4:3 KJV - 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

5. Persistence in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God (Luke 18:7).

Luke 18:7 KJV - 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

In today’s fast-paced world, few people have time to spend hours on their knees in prayer, but we can still learn from George Mueller’s life of holy consecration to our Lord and Savior. He lived in a spirit of constant prayer. He prayed until the answer came, and he had no doubt that the answer would come.