Henry Martyn

Friday, February 11, 2022

In 1802 God called Henry Martyn to be a missionary to India. Martyn, who was 21, was a successful, respected genius scholar at Cambridge University. Instead of being given help and encouragement by his friends, he received only scorn and ridicule. His sister told him: “You’re unfit for the work… You’re lacking in that deep and solid experience necessary for a missionary.”^[1] Yet, today we know Henry Martyn as one of the most courageous missionaries to Muslims. He labored and toiled incessantly to bring people to Christ.

He spent himself unreservedly in the service of God. He translated the New Testament into Urdu, Persian and Arabic and died at age 31.

Prayer

Almighty God, our loving Heavenly Father, you are worthy to receive praise and honor and glory. May the legacy and example of this saint spur me to unreservedly sacrifice all for your glory.

As you did for Martyn, grant me to love in hard times and manifest compassion and sacrifice even when I am going through a dark valley. Let me feel the sweet breeze of your presence even when the storm around me is violent.

Fill my mind with your light and my heart with your grace to be able to minister to Muslims and lead them to the cross of Jesus.

“Above all, remind me constantly that I have nothing except what you give me and can do nothing except what you enable me to do.”^[2] Amen.

Promise

He whose life in this world is dear to him will lose it, but he who cares nothing for his life will gain it and will have eternal life (John 12:25, SAB).