Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses...

— Acts 1:8, HCSB 

THE TESTIMONY 

The last message that Christ gave to his disciples before he was parted from them, and taken up into heaven, was a message to carry the gospel to all the world, and was accompanied by the promise of the Holy Spirit.

There is a great work to be done in the earth, and the Lord Jesus has taken men into co-partnership with himself, in order that heavenly agencies may co-operate with human agencies. Christ was in travail of soul for the redemption of the world, and those who are laborers together with God are representatives of Christ to our world, and will have compassion for the lost, and will travail in soul for the redemption of men.

Jesus came to represent the character of the Father, and he sent his disciples into the world to represent the character of Christ; he has given us his word to point out the way of life, and he has not left us simply to carry that word, but has also promised to give it efficiency by the power of the Holy Spirit. Is there need, then, that any one should walk in uncertainty, grieving that they do not know and experience the movings of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts?

Are you hungering and thirsting for instruction in righteousness? Then you have the sure promise that you shall be filled. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true... even his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” The Lord would have us in possession of the Spirit of heavenly wisdom.

Are we all being impressed to pray to the Lord humbly and earnestly as our necessities require, importuning him for the spirit of wisdom? Do we pray, saying, “Show me the secrets of wisdom, that which I know not teach thou me”? O for humble, earnest prayer to go forth from unfeigned lips praying for the counsel that is of God. He says, “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom.”

— Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers—No. 3. p.30 

THE RESPONSE 

Point out the way of life through His word. Claim the promise to give it efficiency by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hunger and thirst for instruction in righteousness and claim the sure promise that you will be filled. 

Pray humbly and earnestly as your necessities require, plead for the spirit of wisdom. Pray, “Show me the secrets of wisdom, teach me that which I know not.”

Earnestly and sincerely pray for counsel that comes from God. He promises, “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom.”