Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.

— Isaiah 42:16, NKJV 

THE Testimony 

In order to have the proper control of our children, we must manifest a spirit of gentleness and of meekness, and of long-suffering. We do not want to have a fault finding, fretful, scolding spirit. If we teach them to have a spirit of gentleness, we must have a spirit of gentleness ourselves... But at the same time there need be no weakness or unwise indulgence on the part of parents. The mother must have firmness and decision. She must be as firm as a rock, and not swerve from the right. Her laws and rules should be carried out at all times and under all hazards; but she can do this with all gentleness and meekness. 

We are to believe in God and his promises, and in his power to help and save us. We must believe him; for he is well able and more than willing to help us in time of trouble, to comfort us in times of affliction and distress, and to deliver us out of all our trials and difficulties. Troubles and difficulties will come, and we must confide in God. If our children do not do as we wish them, what course are we going to take in the matter? give them up because we see that they do not have the Spirit of God?—Never! it should only make them dearer to our hearts. We must come before God with them in our prayers. We must present them before the throne of God, and say, Lord, here are the children thou hast given me, and I cannot rest day nor night till thou hast brought them into the ark. I cannot enjoy it to be in the ark unless my children are there also. 

Plead with your children to come to Christ, and then go where there is no eye to see and no ear to hear, and there pour out your petitions before God for them... We want the living faith that will grasp the strong arm of Jehovah. Christ said: “Ask, and it shall be given you...” Here is the promise. Where is the faith to grasp the promise of God, and never give up until every child is gathered into the ark? 

If Christ is in you as a well of water springing up into everlasting life, you may water all that are around you, and bring others into the kingdom of God. God grant, oh, may God grant, that all these souls may be there.

— The Review and Herald, December 21, 1886 

THE RESPONSE 

Present your children before God and say, Lord, here are the children You have given me, and I cannot rest day nor night until You have brought them into the ark. 

Plead with your children to come to Christ then go where there is no eye to see and no ear to hear, and there pour out your petitions before God for them. 

Grasp the promises of God and never give up until every child is gathered into the ark. 

May God grant that all your precious souls may be in the kingdom.