Tyler Staton, in his book Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, shares a powerful story from the life of D.L. Moody, one of the greatest evangelists of the 19th century, that speaks directly to the importance of persistent prayer, especially prayer for those who don’t yet know Jesus.

Moody was deeply committed to sharing the Gospel, but he understood something crucial—that evangelism doesn’t rely solely on our efforts; it’s rooted in prayer. Early in his ministry, Moody made a bold commitment: he wrote down the names of 100 people he knew who were far from God. And day after day, he prayed for their salvation.

This wasn’t a short-term task for Moody. He prayed for these individuals consistently for years. He knew that God calls us to be persistent in prayer. As Jesus taught in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18), we are to keep praying and not give up. Moody took that to heart, lifting up these names regularly and trusting that God would work in His perfect timing.

Over time, Moody began to see incredible results. One by one, people on this list gave their lives to Christ. By the time of his death, 96 of the 100 people he had prayed for had come to faith. It’s remarkable to think about how much God can do through the faithful, ongoing prayers of just one person.

But here’s the most powerful part of the story: even after Moody died, his prayers continued to bear fruit. The final four people on his list came to faith after his passing, some at his funeral and others shortly afterward. Moody didn’t live to see the complete answer to his prayers, but he trusted God to work even beyond his lifetime. He knew that God’s timing is perfect, and though we may not see the results immediately, God is faithful to answer in His way and time.

This story isn’t just about D.L. Moody—it’s an invitation for all of us. Prayer is powerful, and through it, we partner with God in transforming lives. Moody couldn’t change people’s hearts, but he believed that God could. He knew that prayer wasn’t just a nice idea or a last resort—it was central to seeing spiritual breakthroughs. And God honored that faith.

So, what does this mean for us today? Moody’s story challenges us to consider whether we are persistently praying for the people in our lives who don’t yet know Jesus. Do we have a list—whether written or in our hearts—of those we are committed to praying for? Are we willing to keep praying, even if we don’t see immediate results?

Moody’s life reminds us that God hears every prayer, and He works in ways we might not see. Like Moody, we may never see the full impact of our prayers, but we can trust that God is moving. As we pray, we plant seeds that God can grow in His time.

So, take encouragement from this story. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a co-worker, don’t stop praying. Persist, trust God’s timing, and believe in the power of prayer. God is still in the business of changing lives—and He invites us to join Him through our prayers.

Staton, Tyler. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer. Zondervan, 2022.