On Sunday, I quoted George Mueller, who said, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” He was a marvelous example of someone who sought God's kingdom first. Born in 1805, he was a Christian evangelist who cared for 10,000 orphans and established 117 schools offering Christian education to more than 120,000. The British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, wrote that Mueller "had robbed the cruel streets of the thousands of victims, the jails of thousands of felons, and the workhouses of thousands of helpless waifs." Charles Dickens was so impressed with the good care the orphans received he wrote about the work.
In addition to caring for orphans, George Mueller gave away more than 250,000 Bibles During his lifetime, in answer to prayer, he raised the equivalent of $129,000,000, which he gave away, leaving him with little money upon his death.
George Mueller believed that prayer was a powerful weapon for Christians to receive God's help and wisdom. He encouraged people to pray with faith and perseverance and in accordance with God's will. “There is not a more blessed and powerful weapon for the children of God, than that they should give themselves to prayer.” He believed that if we pray perseveringly and in faith, the prayer will be answered. Mueller believed we should pray like Jesus wo prayed "Father, if You are willing … yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42). And Mueller believed a happy life was trusting in Jesus to help you with everything even to untie the knot of a parcel.
“We have to cling to the power of the Mighty One. Not simply when great troubles come, when our house is on fire, or our beloved wife is on the point of death, or our dear children are laid down in sickness, not simply at such times, but also in little things. From the very early morning, let us make everything a matter of prayer, and let it be so throughout the day and throughout our whole life.”
What can we learn from someone like George Mueller?
1. It reveals to us that God's promises are true. Whatever you ask in His name.
2. Seeking His kingdom first impacts your prayer life.
3. Be conversant with the Lord over all things, not just the big things. The Lord is not your servant doing your bidding but your Lord and master, who is your loving Father and wants to give you gifts. Pray for little things as you seek him and direct your life toward him.
4. Use your resources for His kingdom and the benefit of others.
Everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:8-11)
