Prayer and Promises

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. — Jude 1:20, NLT 

Prayer is the life of the soul, the foundation of spiritual growth. In your home, before your family, and before your workmen, you should testify to this truth. 

Let each professed follower of Christ carry out the principles of practical godliness in his own house. Religion in the home is the best proof of genuine piety. It is not the stranger, the visitor, the minister, that can best judge of your Christian devotion; it is your children, your servants, the workmen who toil in your fields, who can best tell whether or not you love God and keep His commandments. 

Do not forget to examine yourselves whether you are in the faith. Prove your own selves, for unless Christ is in you, you are reprobates. Reform every unchristlike action, seeking the Spirit of your divine Master. 

O, how much need there is of prayer, of tears, of faith! You should pray for the ministers, for those who are weak in faith. You should let your prayers follow the laborers… You should wrestle with God as did Jacob. We may have pentecostal seasons even now, if the people will pray fervently, and believe in the promises of God. And when prayer and faith abound among God’s people, the world will see a steady light shining forth from them. 

It is just as convenient, just as essential, for us to pray three times a day as it was for Daniel. And when you are privileged to meet with your brethren in the church, tell them of the necessity of keeping open the channel of communication between God and the soul. Tell them that if they will find heart and voice to pray, God will find answers to their prayers. Tell them not to neglect their religious duties. Exhort the brethren to pray. We must seek if we would find, we must ask if we would receive, we must knock if we would have the door opened unto us. If there are only a few assembled, there are enough to claim the precious promises of God. The Father, the Son, and the holy angels will be present with you to behold your faith, your steadfast principle, and there you will have of the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit. 

— Signs of the Times, February 15, 1905 

Help me, O Lord, to bring my religion into my home. As I examine my life, I seek reformation from all my unchristlike ways that Your Spirit may fill my home. I claim Your promise that my family will be built up in the faith. I pray for the leaders of my church and for those who are weak in the faith. Pour out Your Holy Spirit that Your presence will abide with us all!