Prayer and Promises

Grieve and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to dejection. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. — James 4:9,10, MEV 

Let us commit the needs of the soul to him who has loved us. 

The Christian is given the invitation to carry his burdens to God in prayer, and to fasten himself closely to Christ by the cords of living faith. The Lord authorizes us to pray, declaring that he will hear the prayers of those who trust in his infinite power. He will be honored by those who draw nigh to him, who faithfully do his service. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” The arm of Omnipotence is outstretched to guide us and lead us onward and still onward. Go forward, the Lord says; I understand the case, and I will send you help. Continue to pray. Have faith in me. It is for my name’s glory that you ask, and you shall receive. I will be honored before those who are watching critically for your failure. They shall see the truth triumph gloriously. “All things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” 

Christ’s promise is sure. He pledges himself to fill the office of personal Intercessor, saying, “I will pray the Father.” He who could not see human beings exposed to eternal ruin without pouring out his soul unto death in their behalf, will look with pity and compassion upon every one who realizes that he can not save himself. He will look upon no trembling suppliant without raising him up. He who through his own atonement provided for man an infinite fund of moral power will not fail to employ this power in their behalf. We may take life’s controversies and troubles to his feet; for he loves us. His every word and look invite our confidence. 

We may walk in daily companionship with Christ. When we breathe out our desire, it may be inaudible to any human ear, but that word can not die away into silence, nor can it be lost, though the activities of business are going on. Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery, to the heavenly courts. It is God to whom we are speaking, and the prayer is heard. Ask then; “ask, and it shall be given you.” 

— The Review and Herald, October 30, 1900 

My Father in Heaven, I am grateful for Your love that sustains me. I bring all my burdens to Your feet, trusting in Your infinite power to lift me up. I am thankful for Your promise to keep me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on You. My trust is in You to lead me onward and still onward, for I cannot lead myself. Thank You for the promise that whatever I ask in prayer, believing, I shall receive!