Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes.

— 1 Peter 3:3,4, HCSB 

The Testimony 

The new year has commenced, and with the commencement of this new year, you should dedicate yourselves to God. Now give yourself to him, soul, body, and spirit, to do his will. 

Begin this new year to the glory of God. Pray to him, morning, noon, and night, to give you a meek and humble spirit, a mild temper, an affectionate disposition. Live as you never lived before. Begin this new year with new feelings, fresh desires, and a strong determination to glorify God. 

This year can be the happiest year of your life; you can do more good to others than you have ever yet done… Commence the year aright, by devoting yourself to God. Spend a portion of your time each day in praying to him for strength, that you may resist evil, and every day overcome, until it will be easy praying, easy believing. 

Let your thoughts dwell upon things of earth less, and upon heaven more. When you are with your associates, talk about Jesus instead of dress and appearance… Does heaven charm you? Does it attract you? If so, you cannot hold your peace. You will talk about it; for you will always have it uppermost in your mind, and be ready to converse, when you meet with your friends, upon that which most charms, and engrosses the mind, Talk about your hopes of heaven, your joys, your eternal prospects, and then when you part with your friends, you will be benefited by each others society. 

Love what God loves, and have your thoughts tending heaven-ward. O, do not let the mind be filled with earth, vanity and pride, You will have trials, but go to Jesus for patience and strength that you may hold the victory. Let your trust be fully in God. Remember that Jesus died to save you, and cannot you deny yourself for Jesus, and for others good? Jesus has gone to prepare mansions for those that love him, that where he is gone, they may be also. If you are faithful, you will go to those blest mansions. All will be joy, beauty and loveliness. There no trials will ever come. There none will say, I am sick. Heaven, sweet heaven, will be our blest and happy home. 

— The Youth’s Instructor, January 1, 1856 

The Response

My Heavenly Father, I love You and want to begin this new year dedicating myself fully to You with fresh desires and a determination to glorify You. Give me a gentle and humble spirit, an affectionate disposition. Help me to love what You love and to talk to others about Jesus and my home in heaven with Him. I put my trust fully in You for victory and strength in every trial.