Another powerful indication of the existence of God and of the validity of the Christian Scriptures is the vast body of evidence for answered prayer stretching from the time of the early Church until the present day. Whether one reads the biographies of the ancient fathers or the devotional works of modern saints, one finds countless examples of cases in which prayers have been answered. One can read about the prayers of Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine of Hippo as related in Augustine's autobiographical work, the Confessions, or about modern answers to prayer, for example, among the oppressed people of Eastern Europe yearning for a greater measure of freedom.
In recent times, one of the most widely influential individuals advocating a life of prayer and trust in God's provision in answer to prayer was George Mller of Bristol. His life was a tremendous testimony to answered prayer which influenced countless others to live similar lives of faith. The Holiness movement of the nineteenth century and the Pentecostal movement of the early twentieth century were both heavily influenced by his methods, which involved asking God for financial support for His work without any solicitation of funds from those who would be able to willing to donate money.
George Mller was founder of the New Orphan-Houses, Ashley Down, Bristol, which became known as "institutions that have been for many years the greatest monuments of modern times to a prayer-answering God."1 Mller wrote a book, The Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings With George Mller, which provides many specific examples of how God answered his prayers for provision for the orphans in his care. For example, he wrote:
June 15, 1837--Today I gave myself once more earnestly to prayer respecting the remainder of the 1000. This evening 5 was given, so that now the whole sum is made up. To the Glory of the Lord, whose I am, and who I serve, I would state again, that every shilling of this money, and all the articles of clothing and furniture, which have been given to me, without one single individual having been asked by me for anything.2
This notation in his diary provides one of many examples of answers to prayer, especially with respect to the specific needs of the orphanages. The 1000 that he received was in answer to a prayer of December 5, 1835, when he also prayed for furniture, clothing, and suitable people to care for the children. On December 10, he received a letter from some people offering their services for the orphanage, along with all of their furniture and supplies. Another similar letter was received from another couple on December 13.
George Mller wanted his work to be a testimony to answered prayer, and therefore never let his needs be known to other people, but only to God. Yet, time after time, God answered his prayers in very specific ways. His Narratives were read in many places and became the pattern used by many others, spawning many "faith works" in Britain, America, and elsewhere. One of the distinctive characteristics of these ministries was a total dependence upon God for the needs of the work. No offerings were taken, and there were no solicitations of funds. The fact that thousands of such ministries survived is a testimony to the fact that God answers prayer.
1 A. E. C. Brooks, Answers to Prayer From George Mller's Narratives (New York: Fleming H. Revell Co., n.d.), p. 7.
2 Quoted in Ibid., p. 14.
