Have you ever heard of David Livingstone? As a child, I loved the story of how this incredible Scottish missionary discovered Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. He thought the falls were so beautiful that he stated, “Scenes so lovely they must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” After many years without hearing from Livingstone, a reporter was sent to Africa to find him. Upon locating him, he declared the famous quote, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?!” As young preteens, we just loved this phrase and would repeat it to each other in the best British accents we could muster, then collapse in fits of giggles! However, this is not the story that I want you to remember.
David Livingstone received a note from one of the chiefs in the surrounding area where he was working. The message said that they would lose their lives that very night as he was coming with his warriors to slaughter them all. As you can imagine, Dr. Livingstone was very afraid and cried out to the LORD for protection. That night, nothing happened! Some months later, the same chief gave his life to the LORD, and Livingstone asked him why he hadn’t killed them as they had said they would. The chief looked at him and told him, “We came, but when we did, we saw that the compound was surrounded by 39 giants, mighty warriors, protecting the camp!”
Many years later, David Livingstone returned to Scotland, to the small rural church that had sent him to Africa, and he told them the story. After the meeting, the church secretary approached him and asked, “Do you remember the date when the chief was coming to kill you?” Livingstone did and gave it to her. Looking through the church records, she came to that very day and showed him the entry. On that day 39 church members were in the church praying for David Livingstone! Coincidence? I think not.
Sometimes we don’t realize what the scripture, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” really means! (James 5:16) What is the much? I would think much more than we could ever even begin to imagine. I do know that our prayers don’t have to be fancy ones, they don’t have to be long ones, or even ones with flowery words, but they have to be effective and fervent. Led by the Holy Spirit.
The far-reaching effects of our prayers we may never fully know, but we do know that great things are achieved by prayer, there is power in our prayer, and God hears and acts on every effective, fervent prayer!
PREPARE FOR VICTORY
In your journal, write down the names of three friends or situations you find yourself or your family in that are in need of a breakthrough right now. Pray over each of these for 39 seconds, a reminder of the 39 faithful prayer warriors who prayed for David Livingstone.
As you pray, picture in your mind’s eye the King of Kings, our Great and Mighty God, going before you with healing, protection, and power.
Remember Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Check back in a week and update your journal with the ways God is moving in and through each situation.
Some victories are won long before we ever see them.
Claire's Prayer 