George Mueller, Orphanages Built by Prayer
 The
Ashley Down Orphanage, where George took care of many children who had
no one else to care for them.
No More Rich Seat/Poor Seat
George became the pastor of a small church in England. The church wanted
to pay him a good salary from the money it received renting pews to rich
church members who sat at the front of the church. (Poor members had to
sit in the "cheap" seats in the back.) George told them that this had
to stop if they wanted him to be their pastor. Even so, he did not allow
the church to pay him a salary. He trusted God to meet his needs, and
God did. George and his family never missed a meal and were always able
to pay their rent. George began to sense, however, that God had something
else for him to do.
 God
always provided for the needs of the children in the orphanage.
Praying Food into the Home
Each day as George walked the streets, he saw children everywhere who
had no mom or dad. They lived on the streets or in state-run poorhouses,
where they were treated badly. George felt God calling him to open an
orphanage to take care of the children.
George prayed, asking God to provide a building, people to oversee it,
furniture, and money for food and clothing. God answered his prayers.
The needs of the orphanage were met each day. Sometimes a wealthy person
would send a large amount of money, or a child would give a small amount
received as a gift or for doing chores. Many times food, supplies or money
came at the last minute, but God always provided without George telling
anyone about his needs. He just prayed and waited on God.
More than 10,000 children lived in the orphanage over the years. When
each child became old enough to live on his own, George would pray with
him and put a Bible in his right hand and a coin in his left. He explained
to the young person that if he held onto what was in his right hand, God
would always make sure there was something in his left hand as well.
It has been more than 165 years since George Mueller took in his first
orphan. His vision continues today as Christians around the world are
inspired by his faith to depend on God to meet their needs and the needs
of helpless children. You can see the story of George Mueller's life in
a video called The Obstacle to Comfort.
Make It Real! Questions to make
you dig a little deeper and think a little harder.
- Do you see any similarities between George Mueller's and the Apostle
Paul's decisions to follow Jesus? How did George change after he became
a follower of Jesus?
- What did Mueller mean when he told the orphans to "hold onto the
Bible in your right hand"?
- Describe a time when God has answered your prayers and provided
for you or your family.
- What resources do you have that you could use to help others who
might be in need of food or shelter?
- Suggested reading:
- The Bandit of Ashley Downs: George Mueller by Dave & Neta
Jackson (Trailblazer Books, Bethany House)
- George Mueller by Basil Miller (Men of Faith series, Bethany
House)
- George Mueller: Man of Faith by Bonnie Harvey (Heroes of
the Faith series, Barbour)
- Video:
- Obstacle
to Comfort, a 55-minute documentary on the life of George
Mueller. (Or have your parents order from Vision Video by calling1-800-523-0226)
- Websites:
- Activities:
Return to Part One of this George Mueller "Glimpses
for Kids" children's worship bulletin insert.
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