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George Mueller: He Dared to Trust God for the Needs of Countless Orphans
George Mueller—rebellious, absorbed in the world and its pleasures. George Mueller—miraculously transformed by the power of Christ, daring to dream a dream and to trust God to bring it to pass.
159 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 8, 2023
What an absolutely wonderful story and encouragement to my soul and increase to my faith! That admirable man made such a difference to the lives of 1,000s of orphaned children during the 1800s... pitiful children galores who barely existed in the slums basically, given a home as possible with food ,love, and a Christian education. The tremendous aspect was that he never asked anyone for any contributions but prayed for every single need, whether great or small, and the Lord did indeed provide exactly and often more besides! Well worth reading for he positively affected the lives of precious children who many of wouldn't have survived even otherwise......
September 17, 2017
I would say this is one of the most inspiring quick reads ever. It has impacted my life in more ways than I could count. Mr. Mueller and his example of childlike faith and commitment to serving Jesus hits me every time I read this. His prayer life was a core part of his relationship with God and encourages me to draw that much closer to the Lord in order to make any kind of lasting impact with my life.
June 23, 2023
4.5 stars (5/10 hearts). The story of George Müller always inspires me. The redemption—from an alcoholic forging card-shark thief completely rebellious to any authority, to a minister renowned for his faith and prayer—it always amazes me. God is so great and so good.
I have never read any other biographies of Müller (which really needs to change), so I don’t have comparison. But this book always irks me in the presentation of his character. He’s brash, insensitive, and very, very stubborn—and he’s not over-nice to his friends, let alone his wife. A lot of times he’s presented as thinking rather derogatory thoughts of Mary, and several times he does things which a good, Godly husband would not do, or do nicer. Many times in the book he rides roughshod over her preferences or feelings instead of talking of, praying about, or even considering them. However, as I say, I don’t know if this is accurate to the truth or just the way Bailey presents him. His neglect of his family does sound accurate though, but I don’t really know. I just wish the book focussed less on him and more on the work God did. ;P
Apart from the flaws in George’s character or presentation, which seriously knock off half a star because there are many times I just want pitch the book across the room—apart from that, I say, it’s a hugely inspiring book. The story of the orphanages, how the idea came to be, and the different stages they passed though, with so, so many miracles based on prayer alone… it never ceases to blow my mind and strengthen my faith, no matter how often I hear it. We serve a God of miracles whose power did not lesson from 1727 to 1835 to 2023. He is still capable of all this and so much more!
“Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”
I have never read any other biographies of Müller (which really needs to change), so I don’t have comparison. But this book always irks me in the presentation of his character. He’s brash, insensitive, and very, very stubborn—and he’s not over-nice to his friends, let alone his wife. A lot of times he’s presented as thinking rather derogatory thoughts of Mary, and several times he does things which a good, Godly husband would not do, or do nicer. Many times in the book he rides roughshod over her preferences or feelings instead of talking of, praying about, or even considering them. However, as I say, I don’t know if this is accurate to the truth or just the way Bailey presents him. His neglect of his family does sound accurate though, but I don’t really know. I just wish the book focussed less on him and more on the work God did. ;P
Apart from the flaws in George’s character or presentation, which seriously knock off half a star because there are many times I just want pitch the book across the room—apart from that, I say, it’s a hugely inspiring book. The story of the orphanages, how the idea came to be, and the different stages they passed though, with so, so many miracles based on prayer alone… it never ceases to blow my mind and strengthen my faith, no matter how often I hear it. We serve a God of miracles whose power did not lesson from 1727 to 1835 to 2023. He is still capable of all this and so much more!
“Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”
September 17, 2019
This book is inspiring and challenging to see the way George and Mary Mueller depended on God and asked Him alone but never another person for any need they had. Over 20,000 orphans and 2000 at one time in 5 houses that were built was an incredible testimony to the work of God. The author brings George and Mary to life in a very delightful and enjoyable way.
November 17, 2024
My kids summed this up well: “I think God used him in spite of his incorrect beliefs, not because of them.”
I remember reading a different biography of Meuller and thinking his story was inspiring, even if I disagreed with his premise of only praying about needs and not asking anyone for help.
While reading this book I found myself repelled by the author’s portrayal of Meuller. I held out hope that the author was showing his weaknesses and then would show growth, but the un-christlike ways in which he behaves are never addressed. I have no idea whether these things were made up in the author’s mind or true to account of Mueller by people who knew him, so it’s hard to know what to think of him. But the Mueller portrayed in this book is not someone I would hold up as an example to be emulated.
George has a violent temper. He yells at his wife and friends, slams his fist on the table, gets angry and enraged, kicks aside a baby cradle. These things seem to be used as examples to show how passionate he was about his beliefs.
George lacks Christlike compassion for others. He interrupts and rudely refuses to talk with people about what matters to them because he’s so concerned about what he wants to say. He is bombastically committed to his own priorities and willing to steamroll anyone else to get his way.
George is unhealthily independent. He thinks it’s just him and God and has no concept of community or the body of Christ.
“Neither parents, nor authorities, nor wife, nor children, God! I rebel, God! Rebel from everything and anything that shackles me from walking your road” p66. What an unbiblical view of four things that God instituted and commanded men to either submit to or sacrifice and care for. We are commanded to submit to authorities and seek their wisdom for “walking God’s road.” Husbands are commanded to sacrificially care for their wives the way Christ loved the church, but George shows much less care for Mary than for his “ministry.”
My biggest issue with Mueller is that his premise is not found in the Bible. The apostle Paul was very open about sharing his needs with believers and inviting them to participate in God’s work through finances. In contrast, George cheats the body of Christ by not letting them know of ministry’s needs, and then chests God of glory by not letting believers see how God provided through them (p104)
George is held up as an example of faith, but he “has faith” in things that God never promised. He takes Psalm 81:10, which is a promise to Israel, out of context to mean God is promising to provide for him (p 88). This is terrible hermeneutics, and when believers expect God to do things he did not promise to do, they risk losing trust in God when he doesn’t meet their unjustified expectations. This is a tragedy.
It was odd to me that the book barely talked at all about the orphans Mueller’s charity served. They are not characters in this story, rather they felt more like line items on legers.
Again, without doing research on Mueller it’s impossible to know whether this portrays of Mueller was accurate or not. The book led us to good discussions of how God always uses imperfect people because we’re all imperfect. I’m thankful for his grace that he chooses to accomplish good things through us in spite of our failures and misunderstandings.
I remember reading a different biography of Meuller and thinking his story was inspiring, even if I disagreed with his premise of only praying about needs and not asking anyone for help.
While reading this book I found myself repelled by the author’s portrayal of Meuller. I held out hope that the author was showing his weaknesses and then would show growth, but the un-christlike ways in which he behaves are never addressed. I have no idea whether these things were made up in the author’s mind or true to account of Mueller by people who knew him, so it’s hard to know what to think of him. But the Mueller portrayed in this book is not someone I would hold up as an example to be emulated.
George has a violent temper. He yells at his wife and friends, slams his fist on the table, gets angry and enraged, kicks aside a baby cradle. These things seem to be used as examples to show how passionate he was about his beliefs.
George lacks Christlike compassion for others. He interrupts and rudely refuses to talk with people about what matters to them because he’s so concerned about what he wants to say. He is bombastically committed to his own priorities and willing to steamroll anyone else to get his way.
George is unhealthily independent. He thinks it’s just him and God and has no concept of community or the body of Christ.
“Neither parents, nor authorities, nor wife, nor children, God! I rebel, God! Rebel from everything and anything that shackles me from walking your road” p66. What an unbiblical view of four things that God instituted and commanded men to either submit to or sacrifice and care for. We are commanded to submit to authorities and seek their wisdom for “walking God’s road.” Husbands are commanded to sacrificially care for their wives the way Christ loved the church, but George shows much less care for Mary than for his “ministry.”
My biggest issue with Mueller is that his premise is not found in the Bible. The apostle Paul was very open about sharing his needs with believers and inviting them to participate in God’s work through finances. In contrast, George cheats the body of Christ by not letting them know of ministry’s needs, and then chests God of glory by not letting believers see how God provided through them (p104)
George is held up as an example of faith, but he “has faith” in things that God never promised. He takes Psalm 81:10, which is a promise to Israel, out of context to mean God is promising to provide for him (p 88). This is terrible hermeneutics, and when believers expect God to do things he did not promise to do, they risk losing trust in God when he doesn’t meet their unjustified expectations. This is a tragedy.
It was odd to me that the book barely talked at all about the orphans Mueller’s charity served. They are not characters in this story, rather they felt more like line items on legers.
Again, without doing research on Mueller it’s impossible to know whether this portrays of Mueller was accurate or not. The book led us to good discussions of how God always uses imperfect people because we’re all imperfect. I’m thankful for his grace that he chooses to accomplish good things through us in spite of our failures and misunderstandings.
April 23, 2020
In the 19th century, a young German man by the name of George Mueller encountered God for the first time. Feeling a fire roar in his soul, George dedicated his life as a missionary to the Lord; but, it would take many years of molding and growth before George's ministry would come into the light.
Today, George Mueller is still honored, and the orphanages he created are still standing in Bristol, though the buildings are now being used for a different kind of housing, along with being the location of the City of Bristol College.
Back in high school, I was given this book as an assignment. The first time I read it, I was amazed at George Mueller's faith and determination to complete the vision God had given to him. Years later, I'm still in awe of the strength George had to lay everything down and simply pray for the provisions to come. George Mueller is an inspiration to me, and I can only hope that I will continue to grow my faith until I can trust in God as strongly as George did three centuries ago.
If you've never heard George Mueller's story, I highly recommend it! Not only is his story a part of British history, but his message is still applicable today!
Today, George Mueller is still honored, and the orphanages he created are still standing in Bristol, though the buildings are now being used for a different kind of housing, along with being the location of the City of Bristol College.
Back in high school, I was given this book as an assignment. The first time I read it, I was amazed at George Mueller's faith and determination to complete the vision God had given to him. Years later, I'm still in awe of the strength George had to lay everything down and simply pray for the provisions to come. George Mueller is an inspiration to me, and I can only hope that I will continue to grow my faith until I can trust in God as strongly as George did three centuries ago.
If you've never heard George Mueller's story, I highly recommend it! Not only is his story a part of British history, but his message is still applicable today!
November 5, 2022
First off, it really is incredible how God provided, how Mueller wanted to give God glory, and how Mueller had faith in God. I will definitely remember this as I pray and seek to trust God.
However, it may be just how the book was written, but I really was not a fan of Mueller's character. The constant obsession to be independent, free, and not accountable or submitted to anyone is not obnoxious or Biblical to me. Jesus humbled himself before the father and us. We're called to seek wise counsel and have church leadership above us. We're commanded to give to Caesar what is his and to respect the governments God has put in place over us. This seems like an unteachable, prideful heart. He didn't seem to really care about people and rather saw them as a means to an end. Again, it could just be how the book was written. It's short so I'm sure it lacks nuance.
However, it may be just how the book was written, but I really was not a fan of Mueller's character. The constant obsession to be independent, free, and not accountable or submitted to anyone is not obnoxious or Biblical to me. Jesus humbled himself before the father and us. We're called to seek wise counsel and have church leadership above us. We're commanded to give to Caesar what is his and to respect the governments God has put in place over us. This seems like an unteachable, prideful heart. He didn't seem to really care about people and rather saw them as a means to an end. Again, it could just be how the book was written. It's short so I'm sure it lacks nuance.
June 6, 2018
I read this because it's one our students have to read. It says 'for teenagers' and I'm not sure what that means, but it was very brief and lacking a lot of detail I would have liked to read. Often I wondered if George Mueller's actions were more about his own ego than trusting God and I found the way he treated his wife quite questionable at times.
February 11, 2025
This book doesn’t just recount George Mueller’s life—it pulls you into his struggles, his prayers, and his breathtaking faith. Bailey’s storytelling makes Mueller’s journey feel raw and real, from his reckless youth to his radical trust in God’s provision. The beauty of this book lies in its depiction of a faith that grew not through instant miracles but through daily, desperate dependence. It left me challenged, inspired, and in awe of a God who sometimes gives just enough—not to withhold, but to teach us to trust. If you need a faith boost, this one’s a must-read.
January 2, 2026
This is the biography of George Mueller, a man who began adulthood without thought of God or consequences for his unsavory deeds. He eventually realized that true fulfillment for his life only came when he was in lockstep with God. Prayer became the keystone habit of his life. He believed God would fulfill his Word and refused to place limits on God’s power. God used George Mueller to preach the gospel and to care for thousands of orphans in Bristol, England. His life is a testimony of what prayer in faith and ultimate dependence on God can do.
October 11, 2017
This is a fun read! It focuses on the events of George Mueller's life, making it an easy-to-read adventure story. It makes a great introduction to this man of God. It only explores his life on a surface level, but even just reading the choices he made, his life of faith, and the faithfulness of God in his life inspired and changed me.
January 4, 2024
I love reading books about men, faith, and this one is definitely that. George’s story and example will be an inspiration to anyone who will read about him, and all the things that God did in his life. if you ever wonder whether or not prayer works, then read George’s story and you won’t have any doubts anymore. I highly recommend you put this book on your reading list it’s short and you will be blessed.
October 26, 2022
I always love reading about George Muller. He was a great man of faith. Compared to another book I have read about him, this one was lacking a bit. And the writing is old and sometimes hard to follow. The book about him by Janet Benge was a better choice, in my opinion.
April 2, 2023
A tremendous story of God’s calling to George Mueller, a pastor, missionary and steward servant to orphans. He NEVER asked for contributions, he prayed to Creator God for everything needed. God provided that and so much more.
A heartwarming story from the 1850’s.
A heartwarming story from the 1850’s.
January 6, 2017
An amazing story of one man's simple yet profound faith and the surprising ways God answered his prayers.
April 12, 2018
God answers prayers back then, and He's still at it today. :) Exactly the book I needed to read at this point in my life.
October 16, 2018
Inspiring!
I feel this book is a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of prayer.
It is easy to read.
I feel this book is a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of prayer.
It is easy to read.
July 8, 2019
Inspirational. Want more!!!
July 20, 2019
trusting in God for everything!
August 19, 2019
Loved it. Pretty much love everything.
January 25, 2021
Read it for school and loved it. Easy to read but a compelling story. It makes me want to research even more about Mueller and what the buildings are being used for now.
February 9, 2021
I can't recommend this book highly enough! What faith in God! It sure reaffirms to me the power of prayer!
August 31, 2021
Quick read.
December 9, 2021
I’ve read this 3 times now, and every time get a huge dose of inspiration to trust God for every detail of our lives
July 21, 2022
What a wonderful account of God’s faithfulness. An incredible testimony of our awesome God! Thank You Lord for never changing, He is the same God. Be encouraged and read this book!
November 30, 2022
Beautiful, faith building story
I read this with my seven year old daughter and we loved it! Highly recommend. This is a great read aloud. Good book!
I read this with my seven year old daughter and we loved it! Highly recommend. This is a great read aloud. Good book!
January 10, 2024
Wonderful story of bravery and trust in God!
This is simply a must read!
This is simply a must read!
November 29, 2024
Wonderful story and testament, but so badly written. I ended up inspired by Mueller's story, but really not liking the man very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews