In chapter 31 of Rees Howells, Intercessor, we read of another great prayer "stand-off" to help facilitate the spread of the Gospel to all nations. The Italian dictator invaded Ethiopia in World War II. They prayed fiercely for the capital not to be occupied. They were praying and fasting (sometimes breakfast being the exception, humorously noted in their journals). When the capital was occupied many in the college had thought they failed. Howells instructed them that a setback was sometimes a step to greater victory. Later on the Emporer of Ethiopia, whom they had prayed for, actually visited the college. His son-in-law stayed at the college and attended as a student later. The Emporer later wrote the following encouraging letter:
Haile Selassie I
Elect of God, Emperor of Ethiopia
To Rev. and Mrs. Rees Howells,
It is with profound gratitude that I want to write to you today to thank you most heartily for all the kindness you have shown me during my visit to your Bible College last week. It is an inspiration to me to have seen all the wonderful things that the Lord has been leading you to do among those of your own people and those who have found a refuge in your country. I do pray that God in His grace will continue to bless this great work of His very richly.
Sincerely yours.
It is pretty darn cool when someone recognizes the work of God in another person. It is very cool when it's a world leader doing the recognizing. Although he/she is just a person/sinner like the rest of us, it is true that their influence can make a word or concept more well known pretty fast. God can accomplish any of this stuff via word of mouth, but sometimes He'll use the "quick route" and the spokespeople of an age will utter the words.
That's cool. It'll be neat to one day talk with Howells. For now, it's cool to read of his heart and lessons he learned.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at August 2, 2006 09:20 AM