“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.” – 1 Samuel 12:23

In 1872, D. L. Moody made a short trip to England for rest, with no intention of doing any preaching while there. While Moody was in London, a Congregational minister asked him to preach in his church the coming Sunday morning and evening. Moody consented. The morning service was marked by smug, stolid drowsiness, making Moody rue his acceptance of the service. At the evening service he gave an evangelistic message and asked all those present who would decide to receive Christ to rise; hundreds did so. Surprised and thinking they had misunderstood him, Moody asked them to be seated. He repeated his invitation more clearly and again the response was the same. As a result of the meetings that followed, four hundred were received into the membership of the church.

Moody began to make inquiries as to the secret. Finally he learned of a bedridden girl named Marianne Adlard. She had read about Moody¹s work in Chicago, and putting that report under her pillow, she began to pray that God would send Moody to her church for a revival. Moody visited Marianne.

During the visit she asked Moody to write his name in her birthday book, promising him that she would pray for him as long they both lived.

Not all of us are gifted as preachers or evangelists. But all of us can pray for other Christians that the Lord would use them in a powerful way. Are you praying for others? Today in prayer, pray that the Lord would work through your pastor this week.

“To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2002, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN 1&2 SAMUEL, 1&2 KINGS, AND 1&2 CHRONICLES pkennedy@devotional.com