The Little Engine That Could

Charles Spurgeon was a Baptist minister in England who saw enormous blessings from God upon his ministry. Some of his services drew as many as 10,000 people at a time and it has been said that thousands of people came to know Christ through his preaching. When visitors would come to Spurgeon’s church to learn the secret of his success, he would take them to the basement prayer-room where people were always on their knees interceding. He was fond of calling this prayer-room ‘the boiler room’.

The engine, or boiler room is not usually the most attractive or sought after room of any establishment. The engine room of a ship for instance is usually in the belly of the ship where passengers do not have access. The boiler or furnace room in a house is never on display for company to admire and if you visit any apartment building you will have to find your way down to the cellar in order to inspect the source behind the elaborate mechanical systems that are responsible for water, heat and air.

There is a well-known children’s story entitled, ‘The Little Engine That Could’. It tells the story of a small engine that did not have enough power to carry the train over a mountain. The little engine asked for help from bigger and better engines but no one would help. Finally a small engine came along and despite being quite modest in size offered to help pull the train. The words of the little engine, “I think I can. I think I can.” have been affectionately repeated over the years by many parents and teachers to encourage their children.

It can be daunting in the days that we live in to know how, or what, to pray. Prayer and intercession, although understood as significant, can be overlooked as less exciting than teaching, preaching and worship leading. Ellel ministries was birthed through many years of prayer and intercession by committed people whom the Holy Spirit filled with vision and passion, in accordance with the Father’s perfect will. In the engine or boiler room of this ministry and many others are men and women who are willing to be hidden away in the belly of the ship, inspired by God’s Spirit to pray fervently and continuously that His will would be done, and His Kingdom would come.

Be encouraged by today’s scripture, if God has called you to join Him in prayer and intercession for your family, ministry or nation. If you feel weak and ill equipped for such an assignment, you are not alone. On our own and apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5), but, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can move from “I can’t. I don’t know how,” to, “I think I can. I think I can”, all the way to “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13).

Prayer: Father, thank You and praise You for the gift of Holy Spirit who parents, guides, teaches and comforts us. I am willing today to enter ‘the boiler room’ with You so that I can become part of the engine which moves Your Kingdom forward for Your glory. Amen.