Our Faithful God: Answers to Prayer
In the summer of 2023, the missionary story of Mary Slessor (Africa) was a part of our Neighborhood Bible Time at South Charlotte Baptist Church. In preparation, I read the biography of Mary Slessor.
The power which enabled Mary Slessor to live so intensely, to triumph over physical weakness, and to face the dangers of the African bush, and gave her the magnetic personality that captivated the hearts of white and black alike, was derived from her intimate and constant contact with the Unseen, and the means of that contact were prayer and the Bible.
She had an implicit belief in the reality of prayer, simply because she had tested its efficacy every day of her life, and had never found it to fail.
When her old friend, Mr. Smith of Dundee, asked for her testimony to include in his book, Our Faithful God: Answers to Prayer, she wrote:
My life is one long daily, hourly, record of answered prayer. For physical health, for mental overstrain, for guidance given marvellously, for errors and dangers averted, for enmity to the Gospel subdued, for food provided at the exact hour needed, for everything that goes to make up life and my poor service, I can testify with a full and often wonder-stricken awe that I believe God answers prayer. I know God answers prayer. I have proved during long decades while alone, as far as man's help and presence are concerned, that God answers prayer. Cavilings, logical or physical, are of no avail to me. It is the very atmosphere in which I live and breathe and have my being, and it makes life glad and free and a million times worth living. I can give no other testimony. I am sitting alone here on a log among a company of natives. My children, whose very lives are a testimony that God answers prayer, are working round me. Natives are crowding past on the bush road to attend palavers, and I am at perfect peace, far from my own countrymen and conditions, because I know God answers prayer. Food is scarce just now. We live from hand to mouth. We have not more than will be our breakfast to-day, but I know we shall be fed, for God answers prayer.
After that, I began to search the internet and found that I could purchase a copy of that book. Although it has been reprinted, I was able to purchase an original hard copy just like the one that is pictured above.
While I have enjoyed reading the stories of answered prayers contained within the book, I am disappointed that I have not been able to learn more about James Smith, the individual responsible for compiling all of the answered prayers in the book.
My reason for purchasing and read this book is quite simple...to be encouraged in my own prayer life. I can't speak for anyone else but I find that, generally, my prayer life is my "weakest link" in my Christian walk.
In coming blog posts, I would like to share some of the testimonies of answered prayers contained within that book. However, if you don't want to wait, feel free to purchase a copy of the book for yourself and be encouraged.
Until next time...Reach 1!
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