Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.

— James 5:16, MEV

The Testimony 

Each one is a part of the great web of humanity, and each one has a far-reaching influence. We cannot fulfill the obligations that rest upon us in our own strength alone. We must have divine aid in meeting our responsibilities, that our influence may have a right direction, and be an influence that will gather with Christ. 

When you present your petitions to the Lord, it should be in humility, without boasting of superior attainments, but with real soul hunger for the blessing of God… We must come in faith that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers; for “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Genuine faith is the faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. A living faith will be a working faith. 

We are to come to him as children come to an earthly parent. He says: “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?… If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” A parent would not believe that a child was very hungry if he should come and ask in a whisper for something to eat. The hungry, thirsty child comes to ask for bread in real earnestness, and if the parent fails to give attention, the child takes hold of the parent, and reminds him or her of his wants, and will finally become importunate, so that you cannot put him off with an excuse. The hungry child does not cease to plead till its wants are supplied. The Lord says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Let no unbelief separate you from the source of your strength. Live by faith on the Son of God. 

We are to take God’s words into the very heart, and believe them as the words of one who will not deceive us. Make the promises of God your living trust until you can say with Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 

If we have this quality of faith, we shall be able to bear an intelligent testimony in meeting, and it will be of a character to edify those who listen. 

— The Youth’s Instructor, September 13, 1894 

The Response 

Father God, I hunger for Your blessing and plead that I may become a faithful influencer. In my strength alone I am unable to draw others to Christ, I must have Your divine aid. You are my Father and I am Your child, I believe Your word and with living faith I take Your words into my heart. Your promises are the source of my strength!