George Mueller was a great man of faith from an earlier generation. His compassion for the many orphans of his day led him to found and direct an orphanage in Bristol, England. One of his biographies is called, A Young Rebel from Bristol.

Mueller based his life, and the running of the orphanage, on the premise that God was faithful and that He would provide for the needs of his children. Consequently, Mueller was a great man of prayer. Resources were meager and there were times when he would gather the children in the orphanage dining hall, have them close their eyes and bow their heads, and then lead them in a prayer of thanksgiving for their food – even thought there was no food on the table or in the kitchen. Time after time God provided food by the end of the prayer. One time a milk truck broke down in front of the orphanage. The driver knocked on the door while Mueller was praying and said, “The milk and other dairy products in my truck are going to spoil. Would you have any use for them?” Other times anonymous donors generously sent food and meat without knowing what the needs were and it would arrive just when it was needed.

The New Testament says that Christians should, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” George Mueller knew how to pray with thanksgiving in all circumstances – even when there was nothing apparent for which to give thanks.