During the physio session today at St George’s Crypt – a project for homeless people – myself and my physio student treated a young man who was sleeping rough in a lot of pain – we knew we could help his pain but he was also in desperate need of a sleeping bag.
The Crypt does not give these out, so I headed out with a prayer of faith to a local secondhand shop. I just sensed God would find me a sleeping bag there somehow and I needed it now.
As I went, I reminded myself of George Mueller’s confidence in God as he prayed. I can’t say that my prayers have always been answered in the ways I asked, but I had a real sense of urgency that God would provide in that shop.
We of course put the young man in touch with Housing and arranged for him to get a shower, but it was very likely that tonight would be another night in a cold doorstep.
In the secondhand shop there were no sleeping bags for sale, but I still sensed somehow there was one for me, so I asked the manager if she had any – she replied that she didn’t. But then she paused and said she would send someone to check upstairs. I told her why I needed one.
Sure enough minutes later down came a good quality sleeping bag in the hands of the assistant.
I offered to pay or give a donation, but the manager refused this insisting I take it as she said it would have been on the throw-out pile. The young man who received it was absolutely thrilled, and so was I that God had heard my prayer and directed me aright. The young man told me he could sleep in the Himalayas with that one – he was so delighted. I told him about my prayer and what happened.
Who knows what God will do in his life?
The story of George Mueller
A ship’s captain told the following story about George Mueller. They were on their way to Newfoundland, where George had an appointment. The ship was sailing full steam ahead. Suddenly the motors stopped and the ship came to a standstill in the middle of the ocean. Thick fog had settled in. The captain was on the bridge with his binoculars. George Mueller came up to him and asked, “Captain, is there a problem?”
“Yes. We can’t see where we’re going. We’re not moving because we could hit an iceberg.” “Captain, I have never been late for an appointment in my life. Have you prayed to the Lord about this matter?”
They went to the cabin and George started praying, “Father, I have never been late for one of your appointments. I ask you now, Lord, to clear that fog outside, and I thank you by faith that it’s done already. Amen.”
Before the Captain could even begin to pray, there was a tap on his shoulder. “Captain, don’t bother to pray. First of all, you don’t believe it’s going to happen and secondly, the fog’s already gone. Let’s go.”
They walked to the door and opened it. It was a clear night. The stars were shining.
Lord, give me the faith of a child and people like George Mueller. Thank You that when I pray to You about my needs, I can already thank You in faith that You will do what is best for me. Amen.