Keep on Praying!Sample

How John Hyde learned to pray

One translation at Isaiah 62: 6-7 says, "They must remind God of His promises ... and not let Him remain quiet until He restores Jerusalem." We must remind God of His promises and not let Him remain calm until he answers. This is a passage that teaches John Hyde (the intercessor) how to pray with perseverance. 

Hyde grew up in Carthage, Illinois, in the home of a pastor. At the McCormick Seminary, he committed to doing overseas evangelism, so after graduating, he went to India. His traveling ministry took John from village to village, but his preaching only resulted in some repentance until finally he found the truth in Isaiah 62: 6-7 and believed it.

At the beginning of 1908, he prayed to win at least one soul for Christ every day. On December 31, he noted that there were more than 400 converts.

The following year, God placed two souls per day in his heart, and his prayer was answered again. The following year, he prayed for four souls per day with similar results.

Once, when he stopped in front of a hut to drink, Hyde asked God for ten souls. He preached the gospel to the family, and at the end of his visit, all families totaling nine people were saved. But what about the tenth person? Suddenly the family's niece, who was playing outside, entered the room and was converted.

Devotion:

Often God wants to see our perseverance in prayer before He answers our prayers. When we pray earnestly, the heart of God will be moved to answer our prayers. Do we always have a heart that is always determined to pray? Let us always pray in perseverance and hope in waiting for our answers to prayer.

Prayer is the first, second and third important thing for a servant of God. Pray my brother, pray, pray, pray. (Edward Payson)