Mary Slessor 1848–1915 Growing up in the slums of Dundee, Scotland, Mary Slessor was accustomed to hard work and long hours at a young age. Both her parents worked in the mills to provide for the family, but they were unable to make ends meet, partially because her father spent much of the money they earned on liquor. Mary went to work in the mills at the age of eleven to help bring in money. Mary was fourteen when her father died of pneumonia, and she went to work full-time while attending school at night. On Sundays, her family always attended church. Mary’s mother raised them to have faith despite their circumstances, and Mary embraced that faith. In 1876, she went to work in the mission field of Calabar, a region of Nigeria, and ministered there until she died. Witchcraft, poverty, and alcoholism were prevalent, yet she slowly, very slowly, gained the trust of the people. Mary did more than just preach to them about God. She changed their way of life. She taught them how to care for their sick. She created churches and schools. She took unwanted children into her home. The people believed that twins brought evil, and they abandoned them to the wild. So Mary took in those unwanted children as her own, becoming known as “White Ma.” She went deeper and deeper into the region to areas where the currency was guns and liquor and violence, and she settled every grievance peaceably. Because of her kindness, patience, and the grace of God, the local people accepted Mary’s teachings and began to change their ways. She eventually was accepted as one of the people, taking on roles in the local government of Okoyong, an area where other missionaries had been killed. Mary attributed her success to God and to the people who prayed for her. She once wrote to a friend, “It is all beyond my comprehension. The only way I can explain it is on the ground that I have been prayed for more than most. Pray on, dear one—the power lies that way.” Praying for people in the missions field is one powerful way that anyone can contribute to their work.
Do you know anyone in ministry who could use your powerful prayers?
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. EPHESIANS 6:18
Pray On
