Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

...I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

— Jude 1:3,20,21, NASB 

THE TESTIMONY 

We shall have to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints... those who have not a daily experience in the things of God will not move wisely. 

We are to learn from Christ how to work, how to be as he was, self-denying, self-sacrificing. If we have his Spirit, we shall realize the worth of souls, and work for their salvation. Our work is to be done wholly through the grace of Christ. We are to have a continual sense of our weakness and frailty and be led to Jesus in earnest prayer for his wisdom and efficiency.

There will be times of despondency, as we realize our unlikeness to Christ; we see ourselves small, weak, and compassed with infirmities; but we are to depend upon Jesus, and commit our ways unto the Lord; and while we trust to him in humility, obedient to his word, heavenly wisdom will be imparted to us that we may do the Master’s work. Our life may seem a tangle; but if we commit ourselves wholly to the wise Master-worker, he will bring out the pattern of life and character according to his plan, for our good and his own glory. 

Do not take your eyes off Jesus. Let the prayer go forth from unfeigned lips that we may not trust in our finite, human wisdom, but that our thoughts may be brought into subjection to Christ, our characters be molded after the mind of Christ. 

Why should we not have the transforming grace of Christ daily? Has he not promised to us great and precious things? Who can find words to explain the rich promises of God? “Behold,” said John, “what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God...” 

Jesus says, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” The Lord calls upon all to consider whom they will serve and whom they mean to worship,—whether they will be swayed to the right or to the left by the opinions and position of the world, or stand firm to truth. 

— The Review and Herald, January 31, 1893 

THE RESPONSE 

Learn from Christ. Realize your weakness and frailty and look to Jesus in earnest prayer for His wisdom and efficiency. 

Be obedient to His word, heavenly wisdom will be imparted to you that you may do the Master’s work.

Commit yourself wholly to the wise Master-worker. 

Sincerely pray that you may not trust in your own finite wisdom, but that your thoughts may be brought into subjection to Christ and your character be molded after the mind of Christ.