Prayer and Conviction of Sin in the Life of a Gambler
R. A. Torrey in his book The Holy Spirit tells how the elders and deacons of Moody Church met every Friday night for supper and to go over the church rolls to see which people needed attention. At one meeting, an elder expressed a concern:
“Brethren, I am not at all satisfied with the way things are going in our church. We are having many professed conversions, and many [members], but I do not see the conviction of sin that I would like to see. I propose that, instead of discussing business matters any further tonight, we spend the time in prayer, and that we meet on other nights also, to cry to God to send his Holy Spirit among us in convicting power.”
Everyone consented, and they spent not only the rest of that evening in prayer, but a number of the following nights, asking for the Spirit’s convicting power. Not long after, as Dr. Torrey preached one Sunday night, he saw to his left a professional gambler, the man’s eyes riveted on him. After the service, a church officer brought the gambler to Dr. Torrey. The man’s opening words were, “Oh…I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I feel awful.”
He went on to explain how, that very afternoon, he saw an open-air meeting while he was out walking. He stopped and listened a bit, then went on his way. But after he had walked several blocks, he felt moved to return. After the meeting he was invited to church. Again he said to Dr. Torrey: “Oh, I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I never felt like this before. I feel awful.” He trembled and groaned.
Torrey said, “I’ll tell you what’s the matter. The Holy Spirit is convicting you of sin.”
Right then and there that hardened sinner fell onto his knees and cried out to God for mercy. He left shortly afterwards with the joyous realization that his sins were all forgiven.
If you are a true Christian, then you long to be a faithful witness, an ambassador for the King of kings, an proclaimer of the greatest news ever told. Fear not, little ones, for it is the Father’s pleasure to give you the Holy Spirit in increasing measure for his glory and your joy. Amen.
From a sermon by Glenn Durham, How We Benefit from the Holy Spirit’s Work, 5/20/2010