“During the troublous times of Scotland…late on a certain night, John Knox was seen to leave his study, and to pass from the house down into an enclosure behind it. He was followed by a friend; when, after a few moments of silence, his voice was heard as if in prayer. In another moment the accents deepened into intelligible words, and the earnest petition went up from his struggling soul to heaven: “O Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!” Then a pause of hushed stillness, when again the petition broke forth: “O Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!”
Once more all was voiceless and noiseless; when, with a yet intenser pathos, the thrice-repeated intercession struggled forth: “O Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!” And God gave him Scotland, in spite of Mary [Queen of Scots] and Cardinal Beaton; a land and a church of noble Christian loyalty to Christ and His crown, even unto this day. How could it be otherwise? The history of the salvation and sanctification of human souls hitherto is the history of such praying as this, in spirit, if not in these, or any, uttered words. Such humble earnestness never offends the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, through Him, is the God of all grace and consolation.”
John Knox (1510-1572) as recounted in The Christian’s Penny Magazine (London: John Snow & Co., 1868) 4.181-182.
Not only does our Father in Heaven welcome our persistent prayers in humble earnestness, they can impact even the hardest people and whole nations. It was widely known that John Knox prayed and fasted regularly and the wicked Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots said “she feared no weapon like she feared the prayers of John Knox.”
Why cite this example in Lent? Last week we considered the gift that prayer is. Today let us assess the power of this gift. It’s unfathomable! But do we pray like we believe this. The God of heaven invites us to approach His throne boldly (cf. Hebrews 4:16). Do we? Let us not just practice the discipline of prayer daily this Lent; let us pray boldly!