Move People Through God Aloneනියැදිය

Move people through God by prayer alone

For Christians, Intercession is truly a universal work. No place is closed to intercessory prayer—no continent, nation, organisation, city, or office. There is no power on earth that can keep intercession out (Richard Halverson).

Hudson Taylor, a well-known missionary in China, once said, “I believe it is possible to move men through God by prayer alone.” For Hudson Taylor, this was not a theoretical statement; he lived in its reality. His many biographies, the books and letters he wrote, and the testimonies of fellow missionaries clearly show that he worked with the assumption that it is indeed possible to move people through God by prayer alone. His biographies give ample evidence of this. Prayer can move people because it moves God, who, in turn, moves people. Prayer moves the Hand that holds the world. God can work in the hearts of all people and delights in working through the prayers of His children.

However, it is crucial to remember that this expression does not imply manipulating God. It has nothing to do with manipulation but everything to do with total dependence on God—trusting in Him, knowing Him, and believing in His promises. It pertains to situations that are humanly impossible, where our own efforts are simply not sufficient to bring about a solution. It is total reliance on God, making our needs known to Him and asking Him to bring about the needed outcome. This approach is precisely the absence of any form of manipulation, pressure on people, or reliance on our own plans. It is to pray: "Your kingdom come; Your will be done … give us this day our daily bread … deliver us from the evil one" (Matt. 6:9-12; BSB).

Too often, we struggle to believe that prayer alone can move people, provide needed resources, or change circumstances. Oswald Sanders wrote, "Prayer influences people by influencing God to influence them." Prayer moves God, and God moves people.