In 1919, when a young teacher arrived in a small California town for her first assignment, she saw streets ankle-deep in dust, broken wooden sidewalks, unpainted houses, and shabby storefronts. When Miss Margaret Madden walked into her classroom, the students were in keeping with the down-trodden mood of the town; there seemed to be resentment and dislike in the eyes that stared back at the teacher. Only one little girl had a friendly smile – her name was Myrtle.

After several weeks, students showed no signs of learning, and the teacher feared she would lose her job. And then, one morning, Myrtle’s grandmother came to visit, bringing a red-lettered Testament and these encouraging words:

“Myrtle has told me about you, Miss Madden, and she prays for you every night. God needs you to do great things in this town of ours. These children are our hope for the future. You can help them so much. You can inspire this whole town.”

When the grandmother left, the teacher was overwhelmed by thoughts of Myrtle’s prayers, and she began reading words underlined in the Bible: “Ask, and it shall be given… do not despise one of these little ones… Feed My lambs…”

Miss Madden began to pray.

Eventually, teacher and students began discussing the problems of the classroom as well as the downtrodden look of their town. They brainstormed, and a plan formed. George, who had artistic gifts that no one had noticed, suggested that they begin with improving the house where he and his family lived. He drew before and after pictures, and with his parent’s cooperation and input from other students, a renovation began. With this, the desire to renovate and improve spread throughout the town.

Miss Madden planned lessons around the renovation projects. Reading about shingles led to studying cedar forests, cement led to lime studies, and rock to rock formations. The teacher discovered special gifts in each of her students, and began drawing them out.

Soon the little town took on a special charm. Within eight years, streets were tree-lined, homes were painted, lawns were neat, and sidewalks were wide and well-laid. Years later, a town official said: “Miss Madden, more than any other human influence, has made this town prosperous, and a good place to live. She finds the good in her students and brings it out. And she teaches her students to pray.”

A San Francisco educator said, “Prayer enabled Miss Madden to innovate her Project thirty years before that method of teaching was accepted as the latest concept in education. She discovered children’s aptitudes and put them to work on matters affecting everyday life. Miss Madden taught her pupils also the importance of each person in the Scheme of Things.”

When I read this true story from “Your Prayers are Always answered,” by Alexander Lake, I was reminded that when things look dreary and hopeless, God always has a plan, and His plans are always activated by prayer. When one little girl prayed, other prayers began that rippled through that California town.

I recently read quotes from a Chinese man, Watchman Nee: “How many things the Lord indeed desires to do, yet He does not perform them because His people do not pray. He will wait until men agree with Him, and then He will work. This is a great principle in God’s working, and it constitutes one of the most important principles to be found in the Bible.”

Nee further explains: “God’s will is like a train. A train may travel to any place, except that it must run on rails. it has tremendous power, but it can only run to places where rails have been laid. Therefore, all valuable prayers pave the way for God. Consequently, if we do not take up the responsibility of prayer, we will hinder the fulfillment of God’s will.”

Virginia Dawkins is the author of Stepping Stones: Steps from Shackles to Freedom, available at Amazon.