Believing Prayer

“Why do I see so little fruit from my ministry?” “Why are members of my church so little helped by my ministry?” These were actual questions pastors asked Reuben Archer (“R. A.”) Torrey. His answer? “Neglect of prayer.” He reminded them of these words from the Bible: “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2).

Often working in close harmony with Dwight L. Moody, Torrey had seen many miracles and thousands of conversions. Born in 1856, he held many crusades around the world, before being called by Moody to head what is now Moody Bible Institute.

Torrey observed that many Christians “do not believe in prayer as bringing anything to pass that would not have come to pass even if they had not prayed.” Yes, they prayed but, deep down, they didn’t really believe that prayer changes things. That their prayers could move mountains.

The same patterns hold true in our time. Most Christians pray. Many pray each day. But how many really believe that the words of Jesus are true? That they can speak to a mountain and it will “be taken up and cast into the sea?” That “anything” is possible if we pray in faith?

Today, God is looking for men and women who will take Jesus at His Word. Who will humble themselves and seek His face. Who will repent of their sins and fill their lives with His Word. Who will seek first His Kingdom. Men and women who will devote themselves to prayer, and really believe that their prayers matter.

Commit yourself to prayer. Pray. Seek God. For your self. Your family. Your church. Your country. The world.