PRAYING IN A BARN

Paul Greenwood was seventeen years old when he became very troubled about the state of his soul, that his sins were not forgiven and he was not saved.

Paul was a country lad, who lived on a small farm with his parents in central England.  No one was able to help Paul with his concerns and fears; not even the local minister was able to tell him the way of salvation.

One day however, Paul found a small leaflet that clearly explained that we are not saved by keeping the law of God, but by trusting in Jesus Christ alone.  When Paul read this leaflet, he was deeply moved and felt that he must go somewhere and pray alone.  He slipped quietly out of the house and went to the barn and there fell on his knees and cried to God for mercy.

After some hours, Paul’s father began to wonder where his son was, so he went out to look for him.  Hearing some noise in the barn, he opened the door to see what it was, and there was Paul on his knees praying.  The father stood motionless for a few moments, then filled with a sense of his own sinfulness, he went and knelt beside his son and began to also plead for God’s mercy.  Soon Paul’s mother became concerned where they both were and found them in the barn praying.  She too became deeply convicted and joined them in prayer.

Before long, Paul’s brother and sister came looking for the rest of the family, and they too felt compelled to kneel in prayer and cry unto the Lord for salvation.  Together the whole family prayed and wept tears of repentance, confessing their sins.  Soon they found mercy and salvation.  What joy and love now filled the hearts of this whole family!

Paul handed the leaflet he had read to his minister, which was a blessing to him also.  Paul Greenwood became a faithful servant of the Lord.  He did not become a minister, but an exhorter.  He regularly told people of the Lord’s wonderful mercy to him, and through his testimony many were saved and blessed.

Paul died of a fever at the early age of forty-three.  He died rejoicing in Christ his Saviour.  His mother died also the same morning.  She had been saved on the same day as he had.  Both of them left a good testimony to the Lord and His grace. 

Compiled by,

Rev R. Cameron-Smith.