Praying Polly Carey and Grandma Mabel

I came across a powerful little article a couple of weeks ago on the power of prayer. In it, Tim Challies quotes Joni Eareckson Tada as she testifies of the prayer life of Polly Carey—the sister of the famous missionary William Carey:

While he labored in the distant land of India, back in England, William Carey had a sister whom he affectionately called Polly – Polly was bedridden and almost completely paralyzed for 52 years.  William wrote to Polly all about the details of his struggle to create primers and dictionaries in the various Indian dialects…and with every letter from William that she received, Polly lifted these needs up before the Throne.  Every day for 52 years, she faithfully prayed for her brother.

Now I don’t have to tell you that really inspired me.  There is Polly for all intents and purposes a quadriplegic, unable to walk or use her hands.  But that didn’t paralyze her prayer life.  And, oh, were William Carey’s efforts blessed by God – not only was India reached for Christ, but what he did became a model for modern missionaries even to this day… all because a paralyzed woman prayed.

A lot of people know about the work of William Carey, but not many people know about the sister behind the scenes whose prayers guaranteed the success of his efforts.  Polly’s testimony tells me that the life of any Christian can have huge repercussions for the kingdom.  Think of it:  if God can use bedridden quadriplegics to open doors to the Gospel around the world, what can He do through your prayers?!  Little wonder the Bible says, “Pray without ceasing.” … for God knows what great things are accomplished when people pray.

What an amazing testimony! It reminds me of my own grandma, Mabel, who passed away just a little over two years ago. She would have been 92 years old tomorrow, August 28th, 2011. 

Grandma, or “G-Gma”, as her great-grandchildren affectionately called her, was also an amazing woman of prayer. One of my earliest memories is of her tucking me into bed at night, then kneeling down and praying over me with such an intensity and sincerity that you would have thought she was in a revival meeting. 

I don’t remember what Grandma asked God to do in my life during all those bedside prayer times, but I cannot help but believe that God answered her prayers in part by calling me to be a missionary. Grandma only had two grandchildren and she loved us both with all her heart. We loved spending time together, so to see me leave home to live in China at such a young age nearly broke her heart.

However, Grandma knew that God had called me and that I must obey and follow Him. She did not despair, but prayed continuously that God would keep me safe and use me to reach the nations for Him.

If we only had a record from the many lonely hours Grandma Mabel spent praying for me during all the years I’ve been in China, I’m sure her petitions would fill volumes. Only God knows, and He is her eternal reward for her labor of love. Even though G-Gma is now with Jesus, the fruit of her prayers remains and continues to grow day by day!

I miss you Grandma, and love you more than tongue can tell!