Answers to Prayer

by George Mueller

Reviewed by Tavi Rendón

Do you want proof that God answers prayer? Are you needing encouragement and inspiration to pray? Do you simply enjoy hearing about God’s faithfulness to His people? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you will want to read Answers to Prayer from the writings of George Mueller.

Answers to Prayer is a compilation of “incidents and practical remarks” from the original George Mueller’s Narratives. The extracts reveal the reality of a God who hears and guides His people. Within the 126 fast-moving pages, you will find insights into the “secret of believing prayer.” The aim of the book is to convince readers of the necessity and practical means for living by faith in a God who answers prayer.

George Mueller lived through most of the 19th century (1805-1898), beginning in what was then Prussia (now Germany) and ending in England. The early years of his life were lived in arrogant, selfish wickedness. He came from a well-to-do family in which he learned the love of money and pleasure. Eventually, George Mueller found himself in prison at the age of sixteen, having lived what could be described as “the prodigal life.” After prison, he was sent to school to become a minister in the Lutheran church. His studies only served to puff him up with knowledge. Though he made resolves to change, he did not yield to the Lord until 1825. God’s grace gradually changed this prodigal boy into a man of prayer.

In 1835 George Mueller began the first of five orphan houses that would eventually meet the needs of thousands of orphans. What made the orphan ministry so unique is the fact that Mr. Mueller never solicited funds for the work, but simply and consistently asked God to provide. Thus his life became a testimony of God being a “Father to the fatherless” as God continually answered the prayers on behalf of the orphan houses. Mr. Mueller also became a blessing to men and women involved in missions.

Why You Should Read This Book

Answers to Prayer may be summed up in one word: inspiring. The brief narratives chronicle God’s faithfulness in answering faith-filled prayers. Some of the prayers concern major life decisions such as the actual starting of the first orphan house or the decision for expanding the work later on. Other prayers deal with daily needs such as food for that day—for that morning! Whatever the situation, story after story confirms God’s steadfast love shown to a man willing to persistently and patiently pray. Often the answers to prayer came at just the last minute or in completely unexpected ways. What emerges from the pages is a tapestry of God’s working and guiding to manifest His love within even the smallest details of life. Answers to Prayer is a refutation of unbelief and a motivation for steadfast belief in God’s goodness.

Another aspect that makes the book immensely valuable is George Mueller’s wisdom into what faithful prayer looks like in word and deed. The episodes present a model that repeatedly trains the reader in how to pray, while at the same time giving inspiration for prayer. George Mueller’s whole way of life becomes a paradigm of living by faith, living by the Spirit in real-life, down-to-earth situations.

Not only does Answers to Prayer illustrate a deeply spiritual prayer life, it also includes George Mueller’s explicit teaching on prayer and faith. The teaching is not tedious but concise and very practical. His “methodology” is found in three different sections of the book.

At the beginning of the book is a one-page teaching entitled “How to Ascertain the Will of God.” In six straightforward steps, Mr. Mueller explains what he learned as the best way to discern God’s direction for making decisions.

Pages 29-36 contain a hidden treasure on faith. The beauty of this gem comes from its clear biblical theology and polished real-life practicality from a man who lived it out.

At the end of the book are three appendices. The first concerns what Mr. Mueller considers to be the five necessary conditions in a person’s life for prayer to be effective. The second appendix reveals how important the Word of God is in the Christian life. Mr. Mueller shares four main points on why Bible reading is so important to a prayer life, as well as advice on how to read the Bible properly. The third appendix is actually a narrative about “proving the acceptable will of God.” Interestingly, this final narrative brings the book back to where it began with “How to Ascertain the Will of God.” In a way, the first and the last sections illustrate how the book works to convey its message. The concise teaching comes to life in the clear testimony of George Mueller’s answered prayers.

Answers to Prayer is
available from Rod and
Staff Publishers.

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