Give Me Souls!

My heart’s desire and prayer to God . . . is that they may be saved.

Romans 10:1

A recent survey by Christian pollster George Barna found that only half (53 percent) of born-again Christians feel a sense of responsibility to tell others about their faith. Compare that with these quotes from earlier generations of believers:

“I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could but gain souls for Christ.”

—DAVID BRAINERD

“Lord, give me souls or take my soul.”

—GEORGE WHITEFIELD

“Here let me burn out for God.”

—HENRY MARTYN, ON THE SHORES OF INDIA

“I am very tired, but must go on. . . . A fire is in my bones. . . . Oh God, what can I say? Souls! Souls! Souls! My heart hungers for souls!”

—GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH

“I would rather win souls than be the greatest king or emperor on earth. My one ambition in life is to win as many as possible.”

—R. A. TORREY