“Ready to do the Lord’s will”

1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. . . .

2.Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

3.I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

4.Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.

6.Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective. —from Answers to Prayer from George Müller’s Narratives (1895), an American compilation authorized by Müller

faith in action

Some excerpts from Müller’s 1838 journal show answers to his prayers:

July 12, 1838: I gave myself to prayer with brother T— of the Boys’ Orphan-House, who had called on me, and who, besides my wife, and brother Craik, is the only individual to whom I speak about the state of the funds. While we were praying, an orphan child from Frome was brought, and some believers at Frome, having collected among them £5, sent this money with the child. Thus we received the first answer at a time of need.

Aug. 18: I have not one penny in hand for the Orphans. In a day or two again many pounds will be needed. My eyes are up to the Lord. Evening. Before this day is over, I have received from a sister £5. She had some time since put away her trinkets, to be sold for the benefit of the Orphans. . . . May my soul be greatly encouraged by this fresh token of my gracious Lord’s faithfulness!

Aug. 20: . . . Today I was again penniless. But . . . I gave myself to prayer this morning, knowing that I should want again this week at least £13, if not above £20. Today I received £12 in answer to prayer, from a lady who is staying at Clifton, whom I had never seen before. Adorable Lord, grant that this may be a fresh encouragement to me.

Aug. 23: Today I was again without one single penny, when £3 was sent from Clapham, with a box of new clothes for the Orphans.

Sept. 5: Our hour of trial continues still. The Lord mercifully has given enough to supply our daily necessities; but He gives by the day now, and almost by the hour, as we need it. Nothing came in yesterday. I have besought the Lord again and again, both yesterday and today. It is as if the Lord said: “Mine hour is not yet come.” But I have faith in God. I believe that He surely will send help, though I know not whence it is to come. Many pounds are needed within a few days, and there is not a penny in hand. This morning £2 was given for the present necessities by one of the laborers in the work.

Sept. 6: This morning the books were brought from the Infant Orphan-House, and the matron sent to ask . . . when money would be advanced for housekeeping. I said “tomorrow,” though I had not a single penny in hand. About an hour after, brother T— sent me a note, to say that he had received £1 this morning, and that last evening a brother had sent 29 lbs. of salt, 44 dozen of onions, and 26 lbs. of groats.—from A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller, Second Part (1841)