Prayer and Promises

THE TESTIMONY 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

— 1 Peter 1:3,4, NASB 

THE TESTIMONY 

It means something to be a Christian, a joint heir with Jesus Christ. To what?—To an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. 

But are we preparing for such an inheritance when the mind is all full of lightness and trifling and folly, when we devote our God-given time to that which has no substantial value? We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

We are to commune with God through the agency of the Holy Spirit; and when we pray, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities. The...truth must go deep. We are full of self, satisfied with our condition. 

Jesus says,“Thou sayest I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind...” We must fall on the Rock and be broken, and then the Spirit of God will take possession of us, and mold us after the divine Pattern. 

The Father has given the best gift, the greatest treasure of heaven, to us, and we are of value to God, and should render praise to him... The praise that should reach him never comes to his throne; for our affections are not centered upon him.   

We should lay hold upon God with all our strength, and love him with undivided heart. Do not look to see what others are doing, but be yourself a copartner with him, a laborer together with God, a partaker of the divine nature. 

We are to consecrate ourselves to God, to help others, to surround ourselves with a fragrant atmosphere. Our words are to be cheerful and kind; we are to come heart to heart as members of the family of Christ. We are to be one, as Christ is one with the Father. Let us seek for this oneness, and by and by we shall see him as he is, and enjoy his presence through the ceaseless ages of eternity. 

— Signs of the Times, January 16, 1893 

THE RESPONSE 

Commune with God through the agency of the Holy Spirit; when you pray the Spirit helps you. 

Fall on the Rock and be broken, then the Spirit of God will take possession of you. 

Render praise to God. Center your affections on Him. 

Lay hold on God with all your strength and love Him with an undivided heart. Consecrate yourself to Him.