Prayer and it's Effects

George Muller wrote in his autobiography about a conversation with a fellow believer in which they spoke of real time with God.

I pointed out to him that he should work less in order that his health might not suffer. He could gather strength for his inner man by reading the Word of God, by meditation on it, and by prayer. He replied, "But if I work less, I do not earn enough for the support of my family. Even now, while I work so much, I have scarcely enough." He had no trust in God and no real belief in the truth of that word, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6.33). I explained to him, "My dear brother, it is not your work which supports your family, but the Lord. He had you and your family when you could not work at all because of illness. He would surely provide for you and yours, if, for the sake of obtaining food for your inner man, you worked fewer hours a day to give you proper time for rest. You begin to work after only a few hurried moments for prayer. You leave your work in the evening and intend to read a little of the Word of God, but by then you are too worn out in body and mind to enjoy it. You often fall asleep while reading the Scriptures or while on your knees in prayer."

The brother admitted this was true. He agreed that my advice was good, but I read in his countenance, even if he did not actually say so, "How could I make ends meet if I were to carry out your advice?" I longed to have something to give the brother as a visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful God that He ever was. He is willing as ever to prove Himself the living God to all who put their trust in Him.

This is the primary reason for establishing the orphan house. I certainly desire to be used by God to help the poor children and train them in the ways of God. But the primary object of the work is that God would be magnified because the orphans under my care will be provided with all they need through prayer and faith. Everyone will see that God is faithful and hears prayer.


Muller trusted in God in such a riveting way. His life was a testament to prayer and the effectiveness of taking time out and spending it with God. You will find that it was really not Muller's faith (maybe) that moved God to answer his prayers, but it was his faithfulness and commitment to his relationship with God that spurred God to move on his behalf. God honored his ministry because of Muller's love and appreciation for what the Lord had done and was doing. The humility and trust in which Muller put in the Lord goes unmatched by anyone that I have heard of thus far in life. His commitment to prayer and time with the Lord shows that out of an intimate relationship with the God of heaven and earth, mountains will move and miracles will happen.