Tricia Goyer - Prayers That Changed History: From Christopher Columbus to Helen Keller, how God used 25 people to change the world

There is nothing new in the world except the history that you do not know.

Harry S. Truman

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.

Oswald Chambers

ZONDERKIDZ

Prayers that Changed History

Copyright 2015 by Tricia Goyer

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zonderkidz, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

ePub Edition May 2015: ISBN 9780310748717

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (MSG) in this publication are from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked (Gods Word) is taken from GODS WORD, 1995 Gods Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with the Books & Such Literary Management, attention: Janet Kobobel Grand, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170 Santa Rosa, California 95409 5370, www.booksandsuch.com.

Cover design: Cindy Davis

Globe image: iris 42/Shutterstock

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

15 16 17 18 19 20 /DCI/ 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I first got the idea for this book in 1999, and its been simmering ever since. As a homeschooling mom and a Christian, I kept coming across these great stories of prayer, and I loved them! They encouraged my own prayer life, and I wished there was a resource for my own kids. I believe in prayer with all of my heart. I believe prayer changes history. Sometimes the answered prayers are small. Sometimes they are huge.

The Bible is filled with amazing stories of what happens when people pray: the sun standing still, the walls of Jericho falling, the mouths of lions closing. We know those are answers to prayer because the Bible gives us an eternal perspective. We see these events from Gods perspective and sometimes we can get other glimpses of prayer-at-work through historical stories and figures. (That is my desire for this book!)

I wrote this book to:

highlight a historical person and a moment of prayer;

to teach kids how to pray;

and to discuss prayers through the very words of the people highlighted. (We do not have Gods point of view in these stories, but we have the view point of the people [or nation] who prayed, and in their eyes miracles did happen.)

As readers of faith, you and I believe in the value and the power of prayer. This is the lens through which we see historical events. This is how the people who prayed saw them. We view history in the way we see the Bible as a platform for God to do his great work, starting first in the hearts of men and women and then through events and circumstances.

TRICIA GOYER

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus gathered a small group of his believers together. He had something important to share. It was time for him to return to heaven, and he had one last, important instruction for those gathered:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19 20 (NLT)

For the last 2,000 years, men and women who love Jesus have gladly served him. They have gone out into their neighborhoods, towns, and the world, and Jesus has been with them. He hasnt physically walked by their side. Instead, his Holy Spirit has been within them, leading and guiding them. We can do the same. Each of us has a special connection with the Holy Spirit when we go before God in prayer. Through prayer we can make a difference in the world we live in, too.

This book is a collection of stories about prayer. You will read about real people who walked with God. They prayed to him, and they saw things change. At the time, their prayers may have seemed small. Now, many years later, we can see how their prayers and the actions they took as believers changed history. Some men and women like Constantine and Mother Teresa impacted changes in government or set up ministries to serve the poor. Others like Dietrich Bonhoeffer didnt appear to make huge changes in their lifetimes, but they continue to inspire generations. Their humble prayers impacted their lives and the lives of others. Their stories and prayers can continue to bring about change in our histories, too, if we choose to get on our knees.

Your prayers can change everything too

If you have Jesus in your life, he is with you always. His Spirit goes with you wherever you go. When you pray, you have a special connection with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

In this book, youll learn a lot about praying. Praying is talking to God. Praying is asking him for a certain thing. Praying is letting God change your heart to match his. Praying can be done anytime, anywhere. The more we pray with the right heart, the more we are changed. The more we are changed, the more we impact the world. Prayer changes things, starting with us. When we pray, our prayers can also change history.

Sometimes the answers to your prayers can be seen right away. Sometimes the answers wont be seen for a long, long time.

As you read each story, ask yourself, What would have happened if this person hadnt prayed and acted on their calling? Would peoples lives be different? Prayers of ordinary people opened the doors to Gods work. And your prayers can do the same.

Another thing to ask is, What can happen when I pray? Thats a wonderful question. Youll never know what can happen when you pray, but the results are often bigger than you can imagine.

What happened when godly people prayed? Get ready to find out.

What will happen with you pray? Youll never know until you try.

Polycarp would rather face death than worship a false God

The sound of mens shouts filled the air. Polycarp struggled forward toward the upper window. He couldnt see much more than shapes in the dim light. His vision had failed in his old age, but the memories of those from his past were strong especially the memory of John, one of the disciples of Jesus. Polycarp was one of the last Christians alive who had been taught by one of Jesus disciples.