Breakfast

England. The mid 1800's.

George Mueller felt a huge burden for the homeless orphans who roamed those streets, and set out to open an orphanage.  But instead of hosting massive fundraisers, or begging for the money from locals, Mr. Mueller had a tactic that rivals most money-gathering ideas we usually come up with. Mr. Mueller simply prayed. Each and every request, regardless of how large or small, he brought to God. And you know what? Every need was met.

On one morning, a chilly, drizzly, English morning, the breakfast plates were empty. The pantry was empty. And there was no money left for food. The children gathered around the table, and Mr. Mueller calmly raised his hand to pray, ""Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat." And there was a knock at the door. Opening it, they found the baker. He began, "Mr. Mueller, I couldn't sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn't have bread for breakfast and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it." After thanking the man, Mr. Mueller and the children brought the bread to the table. No sooner had they finished this then a second knock was heard an the door. This time, it was the milkman. He said that his cart had just broken down in front of their orphanage and asked if he could give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could repair the cart. 

And so, Mr. Mueller and each child sat down to enjoy breakfast.

Mr. Mueller said that at one time, he had counted over 50,000 specific prayers that were answered-- most on the very day he asked for them. He made it a habit to write down each and every petition on that date,  and to write when that prayer was answered. Think about that. 50,000 answered prayers. 

Last week, Mr. Chirch introduced my Bible class to lectio divina, which is Latin for sacred reading. The monks way back in the day started this practice, which is carefully spending time in God's word. That day, i read Mark 11:22-24.  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

These verses rocked my world on Friday.... and George Mueller showed me (yes, I realize that he is dead. Work with me here.) that God really does do what He promises.