The missionary, James Hudson Taylor, spent 51 years in China and was known as a man of extraordinary reliance on God, through prayer. His ministry led to at least 18,000 people being saved. Hudson Taylor learned to rely on God through prayer early on.
When sailing in the vicinity of New Guinea, Hudson Taylor noticed the concerned look of the captain on deck. When he asked what was wrong, the captain responded, “A four-knot current is carrying us swiftly toward some sunken reefs over there. Our fate seems to be sealed.” On the shores of the island, cannibals were rushing about and lighting fires in great glee. The captain spoke again: “We have done everything that can be done.” “No,” responded Hudson, “there is one thing we haven’t done. Four of us on board are Christians. Let each of us retire to his cabin and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us a breeze immediately.” This was agreed upon and done. After a few minutes of earnest prayer, Hudson came up on deck confident that their prayer was answered. Finding the first officer, a godless man, in charge, he requested him to let down the corners of the mainsail. “What would be the good of that?” he asked. Hudson told him that he and three others had been asking God to send a wind, that it was coming immediately and that there was not a minute to lose, since they were so near the reefs. With a look of contempt, the officer replied with an oath: “Nonsense! You can’t pray up a wind.” Noticing a few moments later that the topmost sail was beginning to tremble, he said: “That is only a cat’s-paw — a mere puff of wind.” “Never mind what you think,” cried Hudson. “Let down the mainsail quickly.” After letting the mainsail down, a breeze blew and they sailed away from the dangerous reefs.
Hudson wrote after, “Thus God encouraged me, ere landing on China’s shores, to bring every variety of need to Him in prayer, and to expect that He would honor the name of the Lord Jesus and give the help which each emergency required.”
John 14:13 says “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
