In 1929 the stock market crashed. Many people took a loss in their investments. Vernon Patterson was a businessman in North Carolina. He and several other businessmen began holding prayer meetings.

In Billy Graham’s autobiography Just As I Am, he tells the story of how Mr. Patterson at one of those prayer meetings prayed for God to raise up from among them someone who would reach the world for Christ. Mr. Graham said he didn’t realize it at the time, but that someone was him.

Billy Graham was the most famous evangelist of his time. His influence will be felt for years to come. Can we credit that influence to the prayer of one man, Vernon Patterson? Probably not. However, God promises to answer the effectual, fervent prayer of righteous men. And he promises that if we pray anything according to his will he hears us and gives us what we ask of him.

 

Note: On Billy Graham’s website he claims participation in establishing the very first Pregnancy Centers (Care Net) in response to our nation embracing the practice of abortion. That being the case, several people can thank Mr. Graham for being alive today .

 

We, at Prayer Changes Things, would like to encourage you to begin a Small Group Prayer Meeting.