Prayer Power: Learning to Pray Like George MüllerSample

The Source of Our Provisions

Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread. In today’s economy, that means enough money for rent, groceries, and other essentials. In Jesus’s time, “daily bread” literally meant daily bread. Many people didn’t know if they would have enough for each day.

It’s hard for us to understand that kind of living. We are immersed in a system in which our needs are provided for and then some. The result is that we don’t really link our daily needs with the Lord. We don’t pray for the little things we need, like wisdom, or the courage to speak up, or freedom from worry, or God’s protection of those we love. We don’t pray that others will have their daily bread.

We don’t give thanks for what God gives or pause long enough to think that God may have provided more than enough for us so that we can give to others.

Could it be that our lives are filled with anxiety, frustration, and fear because we have forgotten that God is our provider? Could it be that we don’t experience more of the “immeasurably more” promise of God because we haven’t learned to daily trust in the living Lord?

George Müller lived on the edge of faith regarding his finances. He dreamed a big dream of opening orphanages for thousands of children. Müller trusted in God alone to provide. He never asked anyone for donations but instead prayed, waiting on the Lord and watching for ways that God would provide.

One day, the needs of the orphanage were exceedingly great. Having nothing for the day’s expenses, Müller watched the mail for a donation that could provide bread and milk for the orphans.

When the postman didn’t deliver any funds, Müller continued to pray. It wasn’t long before ten pounds that had been sent to another orphanage made its way to him. It was just enough for the day’s expenses. God had provided the resources in a surprising way.

Coincidence? Luck? If this was a one-time event, there might be reason to doubt it. But Müller had similar experiences over and over and over again.

The simplest explanation is the most likely one. God hears our prayers, delights in helping us, and sends aid when we need it the most.