Have you heard the beautiful example of how powerful one person can be? Go into a completely dark room and light one candle. Not only can you see, but the room will be lit enough that you may not stub your toe.
I read once that someone went to Africa to test the candle example. His crew settled in an area covered mostly with grass. They waited for a completely dark night. The moon and stars were hidden by clouds. The researcher lit one small candle and his assistants walked away to see how far it could be seen. It was over two miles before the tiny candle’s light was not visible. The researcher then continued to light 5 candles, then 10, then 40, then over 100. The final lighting made such a glow that even though the individual candles couldn’t be seen, the glow was visible for over 25 miles.
Never underestimate your potential to change your family, your church, your city, your country or possibly even the world. Your prayers, your walk with God and your relationships are all important. They will touch people you may never even meet. They will change the work of God and the lives of his children even if you don’t know it’s happening.
Ralph Lightner was a lone candle. In 1920 Wisconsin he heard God call him to the mission field but no board would accept him. He suffered from diabetes and doctors only gave him a few years to live. Insulin was not available at that time. Ralph wanted his last years on earth to count for God.
He sold his inherited land to his sister who promised to send him $10 a month. He bought a one-way ticket to Peru knowing he would not return. Forrest and Clara Barker, missionaries to Peru found Ralph sitting on their door step. He explained his burden for missions. The Barkers took Ralph with them to the village of Iscos. Too ill to study the language or preach, he spent his time in prayer. He could be heard groaning in prayer late at night. Ralph prayed all the time. He later went to the village of Huachac, situated at 11,0000 feet in the Andes. He cared for himself, living in a one-room dwelling with a dirt floor.
He built a shed in a field so he could be out of the sun while he prayed. The Astete brothers – Hipolito and Juan lived near Ralph. They called him a crazy Protestant, threw rocks and dirt clods and even burned Ralph’s neck with lit cigarettes. Ralph responded with love, gave them New Testaments, salt, his suitcases, his clothes and what little money he had.
A high school graduate, Hipolito hoped to become a priest. Ralph became ill. The villagers carried him outside on a cot. There were no doctors. Before a vet could come, Ralph died. The few that knew him gathered for the funeral but didn’t know what to do. “Does anyone have anything to say?” the chief asked.
Hipolito stepped forward. “This man left his own country to come and live with us. He sacrificed for us. He prayed for us and gave us Bibles. When we persecuted him, he did not hate us. He died because he wanted to help us. He was a good man. He loved us.” As he spoke Hipolito was gripped by conviction. He knew that Ralph’s experience with God was real. A change came over him and God transformed his life. Hipolito began a ministry of intercession. Suffering persecution, he endured in prayer.
Although Ralph died without seeing any apparent result from his own ministry, the ministry of Hipolito and Juan continued Ralph’s ministry in Peru, especially among the Quechua indians. Their ministry today includes more than 200,000 people.
Yes, my wonderful friends your individual prayers do matter. Your one candle prayer or one candle influence can change many. Keep praying for this election and the future of America – it will make a difference!
Dear Jesus, it is so hard to continue to be faithful in our prayers when we aren’t sure that they make a difference.
Please take our small gift and multiply it for the good of this country and the world. Help us to continue to pray with or without results. Help us to trust that you hear every prayer and that you will answer according to your will.
Please forgive us of our sins and help us to live a life pleasing to you. Help us to love others as you have loved us. Please send revival to America. Your people need you now more than ever. Thank you for all you have done for this country.
We love you Jesus,
Please God, please bless America.
See you tomorrow