PERSEVERING PRAYER

A queen in a pagan court and the Christianization of a nation

In 578 AD, Bertha, a Frankish princess was married to Æthelberht, ruler of the kingdom of Kent. Bertha was a devout Christian but Anglo-Saxon England was a pagan country. Her marriage to the pagan king was conditional upon her freedom to practice the Christian faith.

Bertha brought her own chaplain with her to England, and was granted a private chapel just outside the city of Canterbury. Queen Bertha visited the chapel every day to pray for the conversion of her husband.

She prayed for 18 years, and her prayers were seemingly unanswered. Then in 508, Pope Gregory the Great sent a mission team from Rome, led by a monk named Augustine (not to be confused with St. Augustine of Hippo).

Landing in Kent, the mission was favorably received, thanks to the influence of Queen Bertha. They were given freedom to preach and reside in Canterbury. Eventually, King Æthelberht did come to faith.

Within a year, an estimated 10,000 people converted to Christianity in the footsteps of their king. On Christmas Day, a mass baptism service was held. With the Queen’s support and King Æthelberht’s good will, monastic settlements and a cathedral were built. Augustine of Rome became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Since then, Canterbury became a base for Christianity in England and the spiritual home for millions of Anglicans around the world.

There were few surviving historical accounts of the 6th century. Being a woman in that period, Bertha would not have been known to the world apart from her connection with male family members who were also royalty. She left no writings, made no public speeches, nor did she have any political power. However, through her persevering prayer, she was used by God in the evangelization, not only of England, but other nations too.

Today’s St. Martin’s Church was built on the same site as the private chapel where Queen Bertha prayed before Augustine arrived from Rome. It is acknowledged by UNESCO as the oldest church in the English-speaking world where Christian worship has taken place continuously since 580 AD.

Bertha thought she was simply praying for her husband’s salvation, but her prayers also blessed the generations to follow in ways that far exceeded Bertha’s expectations (Eph. 3:20).

Many women had persevered in prayer for loved ones as Queen Bertha did. Not only had their prayers prevailed, but they accomplished great things for God's Kingdom.

In the 4th century, Monica prayed earnestly for her wayward son. When Augustine finally embraced the Christian faith, he became one of the most influential philosophers and theologians in Western thought and Christianity.  

In the field of missions, there is Anna Maria Barclay, mother of Lottie Moon, her daughter's faithful intercessor. Lottie gave her life to evangelizing China through education. She left an enormous impact on the people of China and was considered the modern mother of Southern Baptist missionaries.

Then there is Morrow Graham, Billy Graham's mother. The world renown evangelist, who had preached in over 50 countries, said of his mother, "What a comfort it was for me to know that no matter where I was in the world, my mother was praying for me."

From Monica and Queen Bertha to Anna Maria Barclay and Morrow Graham, the testimony is this: persevering prayer will bear fruit. This is Jesus' message for us in Lk 11:5 and 11:1-8 when he told the parables of the persistent friend knocking on his neighbor's door at night, and the insistent widow pleading before the judge. If an annoyed neighbor and an unjust judge would respond to a relentless request, how much more would God grant the persevering prayers of His children for a cause aligned with His will? So, keep praying. Don't lose heart! Don't give up! God can use your prayers to change a life, or even a nation.