Is Prayer Your Soul’s Sincere Desire?

An Encounter with a Man of God, a Man of Prayer, 

and His Inspiring Legacy

After 18 long years since our last meeting, I had an overwhelming desire to reconnect with an old professor. He's a humble and devout man, someone deeply connected to his faith. This time, we were determined to make it happen. I was confident that the landscape between Kanjikuzhy and Managanam in Kottayam had undergone significant changes, especially as I was approaching from the opposite direction compared to my previous visits.

About a kilometer away, I had a chat with a nearby auto-rickshaw driver, describing my vivid recollection of the area. I asked him for help in recognizing the current scenery and locating the turn I needed to take. To my pleasant surprise, finding my way in was a breeze, as the gate stood wide open, much like the welcoming spirit of the home itself from years past.

It was 9:15 AM, and as we arrived, I noticed Aunty, the professor's wife, in the garden. She recognized me by face, although my name had slipped her memory, which was understandable.

The professor was resting at home when we arrived, but within a few minutes, he appeared and walked slowly but with a joyful expression. "I will say..." he said, implying that he would recall who I was. To my surprise, he managed to recollect some of my details. He was quite advanced in age and had physical ailments but seemed to be so happy, and radiated strength and energy.

Back in 1986, I was on my first journey to Tiruvalla with a mission to minister to campus students through UESI Kerala. My initial destination was Mar Thoma College, but before that, I had to seek guidance from Prof. M.C. John, affectionately known as 'MC John sir'. His home was conveniently located near the college.

Professor M.C. John is a seasoned mentor, and his dedication to the spiritual well-being of students was unwavering. He stood among the town's senior figures who devoted their time to students, driven by a fervent desire to nurture their souls and provide guidance.

During the early years, student ministry on most campuses received significant support from educators like him on campuses. UESI, as a national ministry, played a pivotal role in reaching and mentoring students for the Kingdom, transcending denominational boundaries.

During our first meeting, he inquired about my pet name, a simple two-syllable nickname. From that point onward, in all our subsequent encounters, he exclusively referred to me by that name, a name only known to my family, relatives, and my native neighborhood.

His home was truly open to students, and anyone who visited felt completely at ease. He didn't merely teach or preach to them; instead, he shared a few words that provoked their thinking and left a lasting impact for eternity. Conversations at his home had the power to influence anyone for the rest of their life.

Here's one such memorable sketch. On a certain occasion, we engaged in a conversation about prayer and the words we choose when we pray. He mentioned a poem with these lines: "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed ..." Then, he went into his study, retrieved a small pocket-sized hymnal with a red cover, and turned to that particular page. It was an 18th-century hymn written by James Montgomery.

James Montgomery (1771-1854) was a Scottish-born poet, hymn writer, and influential newspaper editor based in Sheffield, England. Renowned for hymns like "Angels from the Realms of Glory," he also used his role as editor of the Sheffield Iris to champion social causes like abolishing slavery and improving factory working conditions. His hymns, known for their lyrical and religious depth, are still sung worldwide. Montgomery's contributions to literature, journalism, and hymnody earned him recognition, and he passed away on April 30, 1854, leaving a lasting legacy. 

"Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast

Prayer is the burden of a sigh
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath
The Christian’s native air
His watchword at the gates of death
He enters heav’n with prayer"

I jotted down those initial four stanzas in my notebook, and over the past 37 years, I've revisited them countless times. Those lines have left a profound impression on me, and as I delve into Bible passages, I've discovered that the verses align closely with scripture. Surprisingly, I've never heard anyone sing this hymn anywhere. However, in more recent years, when I've personally discussed it with someone, I've shared my thoughts about it.

Thanks to the internet, I now have the hymn at my fingertips, including recordings that I can play. The lyrics of this hymn continue to inspire me as time goes on.

"Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice
Returning from his ways
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold! He prays!”

Nor prayer is made on earth alone
The Holy Spirit pleads
And Jesus at the Father’s throne
For sinners intercedes

O thou by whom we come to God
The Life, the Truth, the Way
The path of prayer thyself hast trod
Lord, teach us how to pray"

My interactions with M.C. John sir were limited, but even so, if we were to gather and document the reflections of each of his mentees, the volume of anecdotes and memories would undoubtedly be substantial. Many of us, particularly those from the EU background and those who crossed paths with him during their time in Tiruvalla, share a deep longing to meet him once more.

Now, M.C. John Sir may be fragile and weak, but his spirit remains strong, and he still enjoys engaging in conversation. Sometimes, he pauses to inquire about us, seeking updates. He shows a genuine interest in the details, asking about us, our families, and even our children, wanting to know what they are currently involved in. During our recent meeting, as Jessy and I were seated diagonally across from him, he shared many of his recent insights gained from interacting with various individuals.

He spoke about remarkable instances where the Lord's touch and divine intervention were evident, both in the experiences others shared with him and in his own life. He described moments when the Lord spoke to him directly, revealing things as he prayed.

He recounted stories, like being invited to speak at the inaugural ceremony of a temple, where he had the opportunity to share the gospel and talk about the Savior. At the event, one of the priests recognized his name and recalled his sister's encounter with him at Mar Thoma College. She had received a Bible from him and it had far-reaching repercussions among other things. 

These anecdotes underscored the profound impact of his faith, prayer, and ministry.

During our conversation, he posed a question: "What do you understand about the verse, "When two of you agree together on earth..."?

I mentioned that it's from Matthew 18. Without delay, he fetched a Malayalam Bible and handed it to me to read and probe deeper into the verse.

As we read, he elaborated on the verses. He emphasized the significance of the following verse, highlighting that when two people come together in His name, the Lord is present with them. When they pray in unity, He is already in their midst, making Him a participant in their prayers. Therefore, the Father will respond and fulfill their request. He stressed that the Father does not disregard the prayer of His children who are in agreement. He continued, drawing attention to the often-overlooked reason that follows: "For..." 

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

At the age of 89, as he continued to share these inspiring stories, I couldn't help but feel like I should interrupt with a sentiment similar to what Peter expressed to Jesus at the Transfiguration Mount. I took the initiative to bid bye, allowing him some well-deserved rest and cherishing the memories of our time together until our next meeting. 

Beside us, there was a side table. He reached for a notepad, flipped through its pages, and then turned to a fresh one. He kindly requested me to jot down: "Both of your names, the names of your three children, and your phone number."

With a warm smile, he added, "This is so that I can remember you in my prayers."

We prayed together, and I insisted that he should also offer a prayer. He agreed and prayed. Soon after, he asked me a question, "Have you ever seen angels?" I was about to respond that I have, and in fact, right now, I feel like an angel is speaking to me. I did say it, but he didn't seem to catch it as he was about to share his own angelic experience. So, I rephrased my response, saying, "Yes, I haven't experienced angelic visits as described in the Bible, but I have encountered angels at times through people when I was in the time of guidance or help"

He was on the verge of sharing his own angelic encounter, but we both strongly felt that it was time for us to depart in our best interests. Before leaving, I had another question: whether he had ever documented these divine intervention experiences. He replied, "I've been sharing my experiences with others, and they would share them whenever needed."

If you have had the privilege of encountering such men or women of God who are deeply interested in people, committed to impacting lives, fervently interceding for them, and serving as models of a life of complete dependence on God, I encourage you to make an effort to visit them again. However, if you haven't had the privilege of meeting such individuals, I recommend considering a visit to Makroni, situated between Kanjikkuzhi and Menacheripady in Managanam, Kottayam, to meet with Prof. M.C. John. He is a man of God and a man of prayer with no agenda other than ensuring that every individual he encounters is blessed eternally and becomes a blessing to more families on this earth. 

Jesus taught, "When you pray, don't be a show-off like the hypocrites who love public displays. Instead, go into your private room, shut the door, and pray to your unseen Father." Effective prayer isn't about lengthy words or eloquence; it's about interceding with sincerity before the Almighty God, who knows us deeply. Prayer isn't for informing God, who already understands our needs, but for connecting with the Creator who cares about us eternally. Are our prayers genuine expressions of our souls, reaching beyond our personal needs to involve something greater? 

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