In the heart of the bustling 19th-century cities and expanding American frontiers, Dwight L. Moody stood as a beacon of hope and faith. Known for his dynamic preaching and compassionate heart, Moody’s life was a testament to the transformative power of the gospel. But one of the most poignant and powerful stories from his life centers around a simple piece of paper—a list of 100 names.
Early in his ministry, Moody felt a deep burden for the souls of those around him. He knew the power of prayer and believed fervently in God’s ability to change hearts. With this conviction, he created a list of 100 friends, family members, and acquaintances who did not know Christ. This list was not just a casual commitment; it was a solemn covenant between Moody and God. Each name represented a soul he desperately longed to see transformed by the love of Jesus.
Every day, without fail, Moody lifted each of these names in prayer. He carried the list with him, worn and tattered from years of handling. It was a tangible reminder of his mission and the weight of his spiritual burden. Moody’s prayers were not mere words; they were cries from the depths of his heart, filled with earnest pleading and unwavering faith. He would often be found in his study, on his knees, pouring out his soul before God for the salvation of these individuals.
Moody’s prayers were rooted in a deep trust in God’s promises. He clung to scriptures like James 5:16, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (NLT). He believed that God heard his prayers and would honor his heartfelt petitions.
As the years passed, Moody began to see the fruits of his labor. One by one, the names on his list began to be marked off. Each conversion was a testament to the power of prayer and God’s grace. Moody’s joy was palpable as he witnessed friends and loved ones surrender their lives to Christ. He would often share these victories with his congregation, his eyes brimming with tears of gratitude and awe.
By the end of his life, Moody had seen 96 of the 100 people on his list come to faith. Each marked-off name was a story of redemption, a life transformed by the power of God’s love. But even as his health began to fail, his commitment to the remaining names did not waver. On his deathbed, Moody continued to pray for these souls, his faith unshaken.
Moody’s funeral was a powerful and emotional event. People from all walks of life gathered to honor the man who had touched so many lives. The story of his list of 100 names was shared, moving many to tears. The testimony of his relentless prayers and the transformation of so many lives inspired those present. It was a profound illustration of how God honors the prayers of the faithful.
Remarkably, the story did not end with Moody’s death. The remaining four individuals on his list, who had not yet accepted Christ, were deeply moved by the testimony of his life and the stories shared at his funeral. The power of Moody’s prayers and the impact of his unwavering faith continued to resonate. Within a short period after the funeral, these four individuals also surrendered their lives to Christ, completing the list that Moody had so faithfully prayed over.
This story of Dwight L. Moody’s list of 100 names is a powerful reminder of the impact of persistent, heartfelt prayer. It demonstrates the incredible power of one person’s dedication to intercede for others and the faithfulness of God to answer those prayers. Moody’s life and legacy are a testament to the fact that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and that earnest prayer can bring about miraculous transformations.
Moody’s story encourages us to never underestimate the power of prayer and to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God hears and honors the cries of His people.
