The following story, which happened over 100 years ago, is touching providing wonderful encouragement for each to continue in prayer. May God be pleased to use it to reenergize in each the habit of continual and earnest prayer.
A Christian mother, whose only daughter had left home and had sunk into sad moral degradation, listened one night to the sounds of beating rain and howling wind. The violence of the storm shook her cozy little cottage. The poor mother’s aching heart—not knowing where or how her daughter was in such a storm would not allow her to sleep. How she yearned that her daughter might be with her, under the safety and comfort of her roof!
As she had so often done since her daughter had left home, she arose from her bed to once again relieve her heart in prayer. Perhaps only those who have watched and prayed for a returning prodigal child can properly understand what her prayer that night must have been.
But even while the storm was raging and she was praying, there came a knock at the door. Upon opening it, the mother heard a well-known and loved voice asking if she could be forgiven. Who can possibly describe the joy of such a meeting?
The daughter, shoeless, in rags and drenched with rain, was enfolded in the arms of her mother. Once inside the mother again dropped to her knees, this time to offer a prayer of grateful thanksgiving to God for the safe return of her wayward daughter. Then she poured out her heart, crying to God that He would in His mercy save her dear girl’s soul.
At those words, the mother heard her daughter whisper, “I am saved already, Mother!” It is impossible to describe the joy which filled that dear, praying mother’s heart!
The daughter continued: “About a week ago, I heard a man preaching in the street, and, as I stood and listened, all my sins seemed to come up before me. I was so alarmed that I ran to my lodgings and prayed to God to forgive me and I know He has pardoned all my sins. I left my room at once, walking all the way, to come back home.”
Things New and Old, Vol. 10 (adapted)