A ROCKY FOUNDATION

  Mary, Queen of Scots, is reputed to have said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Her words reflect the perceived power and influence of John Knox's prayers during the Scottish Reformation; his prayer was considered more formidable than any military force. From a human point of view, it was the prayer of Knox that sparked the Reformation in Scotland. John Knox was born in Scotland about 1514.   Knox lived during the time when it was often very dangerous to be a follower of Christ. His unwavering commitment to preaching   and prayers was a bright and shining light amid the darkness in a nation steeped in doctrinal compromise. His powerful preaching and fervent prayers were believed to have a significant impact on political and religious events. His fervent prayers were seen as a potent force which shook the land of Scotland, causing a revival among God’s people. He reinvigorated God’s servants throughout the nation;...

         Missionaries working near Bali were greatly elated when the wife of the Rajah accepted Christ. She heard the gospel away from her native land and got converted. Her ten year old son was born almost blind and the local doctors thought that it was impossible for sight to be gained through operation. The missionaries saw an opportunity to reach the heart of Rajah through a successful operation. They looked for an eye specialist and found one Makassar who was a Christian.   They brought Rajah, his wife and son to Makassar for the operation. The missionaries called upon God to help the doctor in the very delicate and nearly impossible operation. Before the boy who was by now a believer was operated on he asked the doctor to let him pray first.   He said “I am now a Christian and I know God will help me”. The missionaries prayed throughout the time the operation was going on. God answered their prayers, the operation was successful. The boy’s ...

  Franklin Graham, the eldest son of Billy Graham, has devoted his life to meeting the needs of people around the world. He serves as President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse. For years, Samaritan’s Purse has done the utmost to follow Christ’s command by going to the aid of the world’s suffering. This in turn earns them an opportunity to share the gospel. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has met the needs of poor, sick, and suffering people in more than 100 countries.   In one such mission Franklin visited Angola and wrote about his experience in his book ‘ ”Living beyond the Limits”. I met Dr. Steve Duncan in the early eighties while speaking at a mission conference in Florida. He was a skilled surgeon, earning enough money to buy anybody’s version of the great American dream. Instead all he talked about was taking the gospel to Angola a country that at the time was in the throes of a vicious and ugly civil war. “Franklin” Steve challenged me “when I get to Angola ...