Prayer and Promises

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. — Philemon 1:4,6, HCSB 

Jesus, who died for us, loves us with a love that is infinite; and we must love one another. We must put away all selfishness, and work together in love and unity. We have loved and petted ourselves, and excused ourselves in our waywardness; but we have been unmerciful toward our brethren,…we hurt and wound one another when we should love as Christ has loved us. Let us make a complete change. Let us cultivate the precious plant of love, and delight to help one another. We must be kind, forbearing, patient with one another’s errors; we must keep our sharp criticisms for ourselves, but hope all things, believe all things, of our brethren. 

When we have cultivated a spirit of charity, we may commit the keeping of our souls to God as unto a faithful Creator, not because we are sinless, but because Jesus died to save just such erring, faulty creatures as we are, thus expressing his estimate of the value of the human soul. We may rest upon God, not because of our own merit, but because the righteousness of Christ will be imputed to us. 

If we would refresh others, we must ourselves drink of the Fountain that never becomes dry. It is our privilege to become acquainted with the Source of our strength, to have hold of the arm of God. If we would have spiritual life and energy, we must commune with God. We can speak to him of our real wants; and our earnest petitions will show that we realize our needs, and will do what we can to answer our own prayers. We must obey the injunction of Paul, “Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.” 

Ask for humility, wisdom, courage, increase of faith, that you may see light in his light, and rejoice in his love.

Learn to pray aloud where only God can hear you… If we prayed more in secret, we should be able to pray more intelligently in public. These doubtful, hesitating prayers would cease. And when we engaged with our brethren in public worship, we could add to the interest of the meeting; for we should bring with us some of the atmosphere of Heaven, and our worship would be a reality, and not a mere form. 

— The Review and Herald, April 22, 1884 

Dear Lord, I am grateful that Your love is infinite. I put away my selfishness and commit my soul into Your keeping. Fill my heart with Your love and kindness that I may love others as You love us. Help me to learn to work together in love and unity, to be forgiving and patient, to believe in those who are just as faulty as myself. I humbly ask for wisdom and an increase in faith that I may see light in Your light and carry with me the atmosphere of heaven. O Lord, I rejoice in Your infinite love!