John Wesley
God had His hand on John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, from earliest days. At the age of six he was initially overlooked as his family fled their burning cottage. As family and neighbours watched, young John appeared in an upper window. Forming a human ladder, some local farm hands risked their own lives to bring John to safety just moments before the home was utterly engulfed.
John’s father, the Rev Samuel Wesley, was a High Anglican by persuasion, though born to Puritan parents. John was one of nineteen children his mother Susan bore. She was a woman of great courage and strength, and ruled her family with firmness and love. Every day she set aside time with each of her children to teach them the Bible, Prayer Book and good character.
When challenged by his father to be ordained as a Minister, John felt himself unqualified because “true religion was seated in the heart.” He set about to find “inward holiness” through a religious lifestyle of daily prayer, Bible study and ‘good works.’ The name ‘Methodist’ was first used derogatorily of John and his friends because they were determined to use every moment of every day profitably.
A short stint as a missionary in the newly formed colony of Georgia in America proved a failure. A diary entry from this time reads “I went to America to convert the Indians, but oh, who shall convert me?” But God was still working, and Wesley’s cry was about to be answered.
Never give up praying for people you love and care for. God will honour your faithfully crying to Him. You might just be interceding for another John Wesley.
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