"How can one discover the will of God for himself, or in behalf of a loved son, when so many complex factors seem to press for consideration? To many a man, younger or older, George Mueller's simple suggestions as to his own way of finding the will of God have been a definite blessing, and they can readily have their place in the critical question of the steps that lead to a choice of a life's work.
"Mr. Mueller wrote this: 'Number one, an obedient heart. I seek in the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do God's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
"'Secondly, feelings are not enough. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions. The will of God, revealed through His Word, is number three. I seek the Spirit of God through or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
"'Number four, providential circumstances. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit. Number five, prayer. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright. Number six, deliberate judgment and a mind at peace.
"'Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge. If my mind is thus at peace and continues so, after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found the method always effective.'"