Praying Down the Wind

Within the Christian faith we are blessed with a rich heritage of Christian missionaries. Great among them is Hudson Taylor. Taylor was a British missionary who moved to China from 1853 to 1905. His impact on the Gospel in China is still evident to this day. Taylor was known for his abandoning of English comforts and culture as he wore Chinese clothes and grew a pigtail to fit in with Chinese men. Despite substantial sacrifices, setbacks in his health, danger on the missions field and struggles with others in ministry; Taylor is known for having maintained a grueling work pace for over 50 years of ministry to reach the people of China with the Gospel. While Taylor had his flaws like any human being, his life was marked with a radical devotion to Christ and the people of China. Among the many interesting facets of Taylor’s story is the central role that prayer played.

Hudson’s parents were James and Amelia Taylor. They were a Methodist couple who had a burden for the Chinese people so they prayed for their newborn son "Grant that he may work for you in China." Taylor grew up with not only his parent’s passion for China, but also their passion for prayer. Taylor is known to have prayed most of his ministry into existence.

On Taylor’s only visit to the United States of America, Hudson shared a story about prayer that’s simply amazing to this day.

“I was nearly wrecked when I was going out to China the first time. Our vessel was becalmed, and gradually drifting upon the coast of New Guinea. We could see the savages on the shore. They had kindled a fire, and were evidently expecting a good supper that night. When I was a medical student some of the other students used to jeer at me because I was going among the heathen, and they would talk about "cold missionary." Well, it did look that night as if somebody was going to have a piece of hot missionary.”

Taylor’s boat needed wind in their sails to carry their crew away from the coral reef that would have marooned their ship and led to their death among the cannibals. Taylor commanded the men among the crew that were Christians to go to their cabins to pray for wind. They did. After prayer Hudson returned to the deck of the ship to tell an unbelieving and skeptical second officer to raise the sails.

“I [Hudson Taylor] instinctively looked up, and noticed that one of the sails was quivering with the coming breeze. Said I: "Don't you see that the corners of the royals are already shaking? My dear fellow, there is a good breeze coming, and we had better be ready for it." Of course, the mate went to work, and soon the sailors were tramping over the deck. Before the sails were set the wind was down upon us. The captain came up to see what was the matter. He saw that our prayers had been answered; and we didn't forget to praise God for so signal a deliverance from the perils to which we were exposed.”

Exodus 17 tells of Moses interceding on behalf of Israel in battle through holding up a staff in prayer. When that staff started to drop, Israel began to lose. When that staff stayed up, they began to win. This was so critical, when Moses grew weak they gave him a rock to sit on. At other points in the battle, Aaron and Hur held up his hands. Together they prayed for Israel’s victory. Their prayer was “wind” in Israel’s sails.

Today as you read, think about what battle(s) God is asking you to pray about. How or what do you need to wear yourself out praying for? What battles do you need to participate in through steadfast prayer?

Read Exodus 17

Practice

Today, pray standing with your hands lifted up. Pray until you're tired. If you want to be really adventurous, pray with something staff-like in your hands. A broom. A mop. A hiking stick. You get the idea. As you pray, relive this story in Exodus.

Daily Scripture: Exodus 17

Praying Down the Wind

Practice