The Mightiest Force in the World / Ralph I. Tilley

THE WORD
I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day (2 Timothy 1:3).

VOICE FROM THE CHURCH
In 1901, when I was leaving England for America, I went to see Marianne Adlard. She said to me, “I want you to reach for that birthday book.” I did so, and turning to February 5, I saw in the handwriting I knew so well, “D. L. Moody, Psalm 91.” Then Marianne said to me, “He wrote that for me when he came to see me in 1872, and I prayed for him every day till he went home to God.” Continuing, she said, “Now, will you write your name on your birthday page and let me pray for you until either you or I go home.” I shall never forget writing my name in that book. To me, the room was full of the Presence. I have often thought of that hour in the rush of busy life, in the place of toil and strain, and even yet, by God’s good grace, I know that Marianne Adlard is praying for me, and it is for this reason that to her in sincere love and admiration, I have dedicated this book. (G. Campbell Morgan, 1863-1945)*

REFLECTION
God alone knows what has been wrought by praying saints throughout the ages.

Abraham stood before the Lord with incessant pleadings that the righteous in Sodom would be saved, knowing his nephew and family lived in that wicked city and the God who hears delivered Lot and his family.

Supplicating righteous Hannah implored God day after day and year after year for a child, especially a son, and the Lord saw the tears and heard the pleas of his handmaiden and Samuel, which means “asked of God” was the answer to an earnest woman.

When Israel went to battle against the Amalekites, as commander of the army, Joshua led his forces against the enemy in the valley while Moses lifted his hands to God on the hillside, interceding with the Lord. As long as Moses’ arms were raised toward the heavens, Israel advanced, and when they drooped, the enemy prevailed.

When Peter was arrested for proclaiming the gospel in the name of Jesus, the church went to prayer in the home of John Mark’s mother, Mary. Peter was miraculously delivered.

SELAH
First, ascertain the will of God, then persevere in prayer.


*G. Campbell Morgan, The Practice of Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1906 reprint), 126-127.

This article is taken from Walking with God: 365 Daily Readings
by Ralph I. Tilley (Sellersburg, IN: LITS Books, 2025), May 18.