Thoughts on Tyndale and the Power of Prayer

William Tyndale was a man used mightily by God to bring the Scriptures to the common man in what would become the universal language in our time, English.  Greatly influenced by the work of Martin Luther, Tyndale's aim was to set the people free from the bondage and darkness of Popery.  Tyndale was the forst to translate the Scriptures into English from Greek and Hebrew.  It is him we have to thank for such commonly used English words as Passover, Easter, Jehovah, atonement, and scapegoat.  About 84% of the words in the Authorized Bible's New Testament are directly from Tyndale's translation work and about 75% of the portions of the Old Testament that he translated made it into the Authorized Bible.

Unfortunately, this man was betrayed by a "friend" and delivered into the hands of the popish inquisitors where he died a martyrs death.  But before he was strangled and consumed in the flames at the stake he prayed one last prayer: "Lord, open the King of England's eyes."  And the Lord answered his servant's final prayer in King James.

Here are a few of the popular phrases found in the Holy Bible that descended directly from Tyndale:

• Let there be light - Gen 1:3
• Am I my brother's keeper? - Gen 4:9
• The salt of the earth - Matt 5:13
• Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels - I Cor 13:1
• Filthy lucre - I Tim 3:3 and others
• Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith - Heb 12:2

Beloved, we can learn from Tyndale.  This man's story ought to convict us of our own prayer life and daily walk with God.  Are we standing daily for His word and the testimony of Jesus Christ?  How can God use us this mightily if we are not daily, moment-by-moment walking in the light of His word and diligently seeking Him and to do His will?