WE ARE MOVING... again!

We will begin meeting at our new address on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
1750 NW 80th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606

Fresh Bread from the Pastor's Pen

In the vast tapestry of missionary work, the China Inland Mission stands out as a beacon of dedication and sacrifice. Among its many stations, one station in particular shone with remarkable spiritual fruit. The mystery behind its success puzzled many. The missionaries at this station were no more dedicated or hardworking than those at others, yet the number of converts and the depth of their spiritual lives were strikingly greater. What made the difference?

The secret remained hidden until Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission, made a trip back to England. During one of his speaking engagements, a man approached him, eager to discuss the mission work. As they conversed, Taylor was astonished at the man’s detailed knowledge of the specific inland station that had seen such extraordinary results.

"But how is it," Taylor inquired, "that you are so familiar with the conditions of that work?"

The man replied, "Oh! The missionary there and I are old college mates. For years, we have regularly corresponded. He has sent me the names of enquirers and converts, and these I have daily taken to God in prayer."

At that moment, the mystery was solved. The secret to the station's success was not found in the visible efforts of the missionaries alone but in the unseen, persistent prayers of a faithful friend.

To an unbelieving heart or a doubting Christian, the connection between this man's prayers and the station's success might seem tenuous at best. But to those who grasp the power and effectiveness of prayer, this story is not surprising. It serves as a vivid reminder of the vital role that prayer plays in advancing the Kingdom of God.

James 5:16–18 (LSB) underscores this truth: "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit."

Just as God answered Elijah's earnest prayers, He listens to and answers the righteous prayers of His people today. However, effective prayer requires more than just words; it demands a heart aligned with God's will. It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-willed, self-focused prayers that ultimately prove ineffective.

If we desire to pray with power, as Elijah did, or as our Lord Jesus taught, we must heed the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:5-8.

“And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (Matt 6:5-8).

In this passage, Jesus warns us against the pitfalls of hypocritical prayer and guides us toward a more authentic and effective prayer life. As we reflect on this story from church history and the teachings of Scripture, let us be challenged to examine our own prayer lives. Are our prayers marked by humility, sincerity, and a deep desire to see God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven? May we, like the faithful friend of the missionary, commit to lifting up others in prayer, trusting that God will accomplish much through the effective prayers of His people.

The account of the China Inland Mission has been adapted from Preaching Illustrations from Church History by Ron Prosise.