Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV 

THE TESTIMONY

The church-members need to know from experience what the Holy Spirit will do for them. It will bless the receiver, and make him a blessing. 

We are to pray for the impartation of the Spirit as the remedy for sin-sick souls. The church needs to be converted, and why should we not prostrate ourselves at the throne of grace, as representatives of the church, and from a broken heart and contrite spirit make earnest supplication that the Holy Spirit shall be poured out upon us from on high? 

Let us pray that when it shall be graciously bestowed, our cold hearts may be revived, and we may have discernment to understand that it is from God, and receive it with joy. 

And because the Spirit is to come, not to praise men or to build up their erroneous theories, but to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, many turn away from it... They are not willing to exchange their own righteousness, which is unrighteousness, for the righteousness of Christ. 

Just before he left them, Christ gave his disciples the promise, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me...teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”  

The disciples returned to Jerusalem, knowing now for a certainty that Jesus was the Son of God. Their faith was unclouded, and they waited, preparing themselves by prayer and by humbling their hearts before God, until the baptism of the Holy Spirit came. 

The believers rallied; their hopelessness and conscious helplessness had left them. They were transformed in character, and united in the bonds of Christian love... From their lips came words of divine eloquence and power that shook the world. 

— Special Testimony to the Battle Creek Church, p.4-7 

THE RESPONSE

Pray for the impartation of the Spirit as the remedy for sin-sick souls.

Prostrate yourself at the throne of grace. From a broken heart and contrite spirit make earnest supplication that the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon us. 

Pray that when the Spirit is graciously bestowed, our cold hearts may be revived and we may discern that it comes from God and receive it with joy. 

Pray and humble your heart before God until the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes.