George Müller's Secrets to Answered Prayer
And a Reflection from a Catholic Perspective
Can we learn the secret to answered prayer from a Christian evangelist who lived in the 19th century?
George Müller, a man of faith who was able to establish 117 schools and raise 10,000 orphans in his lifetime wrote five conditions for prevailing prayer.
This kind of prayer was supposedly the same one that helped him accomplish his charitable works without soliciting for money. His principle was that if we first sought God’s provision in prayer, the rest would be provided for.
What were these five conditions that enabled this type of prayer? And how do we see this from a Catholic lens?
1. Dependence on Christ’s Merits and Mediation
Catholics also believe in the mediation and merits of Jesus Christ.
In addition to this, we also believe in the intercession of saints. As an example, we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us.
This is not the same as the mediation of Jesus Christ between God and man.
“Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. ... They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . ... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.” CCC 956
2. Separation from All Known Sin
Catholics believe in being in a state of grace. This means that one is free from mortal sin, grave sins that separate us from the friendship of God.
It is almost impossible in this life to be free from every sin. But there is a difference between mortal and venial sins.
“Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace.” CCC 1861
3. Faith in God’s Word and Promises
Catholics believe God’s promises in the Bible. However, the Church teaches the importance of a careful and informed interpretation of these passages. The Church has been entrusted with the task of rendering such an interpretation to avoid confusion among the faithful.
"’The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.’ This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.” CCC 85
4. Asking According to God’s Will
There is no disagreement here because the Catholic Church has always taught adherence to the will of God.
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.”
- Matthew 6:9-10 (NABRE)
5. Perseverance in Prayer
The Catholic Church teaches that we must be persistent in prayer. The same can be found in the Bible. One example is the parable of the persistent widow where Jesus taught us the value of unceasing prayer in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 18.
In addition, some forms of prayer in the Catholic faith reflect this kind of persistence such as novenas, prayers uttered for a certain number of days or on specific periods of time.
Prayer in the midst of difficulty is also a testament to this kind of perseverance.
Final Thoughts
The basic ideas found in George Müller’s five conditions of prevailing prayer are very similar to those upheld by Catholics. However, the Church also teaches reliance on tradition and the guidance of the Church itself.
Catholics are also not alone in prayer as we can ask the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints in heaven.
Regarding sin, no person may be totally free from it in this life but we can be in a state of grace by being free from mortal sins and thereby enjoy fellowship with God.
“And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” - John 14:13-14 (NABRE)
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