George Müller experienced over 50,000 answers to prayer.

George Müller, a 19th-century Christian leader known for his orphan ministry in Bristol, England, built his life and work on a profound belief in the promises of prayer. He believed that the great promises of scripture (such as "Ask, and it shall be given to you" (Matthew 7:7) and "You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it" (John 14:13)) were not just for the super-saints or the early church only. He believed that every believer could experience these answers to prayer. In fact, Müller, who always thought of himself as a simple man of faith, said that he saw over 50,000 answers to prayer over his lifetime.

But what is the key to having that kind of power in prayer? Müller taught that how you live out your daily faith in Christ is directly related to how much you experience God's power and presence.

His life and teachings reveal six essential foundations for having power in prayer, as recorded in Prayer Power by Pastor Brent McDougal.

1. Abiding in God

Müller’s first principle for prevailing prayer is to abide in God. This means cultivating a daily, intimate relationship with God through Scripture reading, prayer, and obedience. Müller emphasized that power in prayer flows from a close connection with God, as Jesus taught in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Abiding ensures that believers pray according to God’s will, aligning their desires with His purposes.

2. Complete Dependence on God

Müller demonstrated unwavering dependence on God for every need. He refused to ask people directly for resources to support his orphanages, choosing instead to rely on prayer alone. He trusted God to supply all necessities, both personal and ministerial, based on the promise of Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Müller believed that total dependence deepens faith, humbles the soul, and ensures that glory for provision is given to God alone.

3. Forsaking Sin

Müller taught that unconfessed sin disrupts the flow of power in prayer. He stressed the importance of honest self-examination, repentance, and purity of heart, citing Psalm 66:18 — “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Prayer must be accompanied by a sincere commitment to holy living, with sin forsaken so that fellowship with God remains unhindered.

4. Exercising Faith in God’s Promises

For Müller, prayer without faith is powerless. He built his prayer life on absolute trust in God’s promises, believing that God is faithful to His word. Hebrews 11:6 states, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Müller recounted receiving tens of thousands of specific answers to prayer, insisting that faith is the hand that receives God’s blessings. He saw faith not as vague optimism, but as a confident, expectant trust grounded in God’s revealed character and promises.

5. Seeking God’s Will First

Müller taught that effective prayer starts with discerning God’s will. Before asking for provision or outcomes, he prayed for clarity, ensuring that his requests aligned with God’s purposes. He counseled believers to refrain from hastily presenting their own desires and instead seek God’s direction. Once convinced of God’s will, Müller would then pray boldly, knowing that God would honor such prayers.

6. Perseverance in Prayer

Persistence was a hallmark of Müller’s prayer life. He often prayed for years for particular requests, never giving up, regardless of delays or obstacles. He cited Jesus’ teaching in Luke 18:1 about always praying and not giving up. Müller believed that extended waiting seasons refined faith, deepened dependence, and made answers all the more glorious when they arrived.

Müller’s six foundations — abiding in God, complete dependence, forsaking sin, exercising faith in God’s promises, seeking God’s will, and perseverance — form a reliable framework for powerful, effective prayer.

Do you want to experience greater power in prayer? Then take one of these steps of faith.

1. Identify one of the above six foundations and ask God to reveal how you can grow in that area this week. Dedicate daily time to prayer and Bible study to develop that area over the course of a week. Then choose another foundation to focus on the following week. Over six weeks, you could see remarkable development in your prayer life. If you need help in knowing what scriptures to study and how to pray, email pastorbrent@prayerpower.com.

2. Take the 40-day journey that's laid out in the book and see how effective your prayers can be. You can order the book Prayer Power on Amazon.

3. Sign up for the daily devotion, delivered to your inbox each morning, and commit to spending time each day with the Lord.