Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes,” and in Him “Amen,” to the glory of God through us.

— 2 Corinthians 1:20, MEV

The Testimony 

True prayer, offered in faith, is a power to the petitioner. Prayer, whether offered in the public assembly, at the family altar, or in secret, places man directly in the presence of God. 

In the place of bearing your perplexities to a brother or a minister, take them to the Lord in prayer. Do not place the minister where God should be… It is always right to counsel together; it is right to converse together; it is right to make the difficulties that present themselves in any enterprise plain before your brethren and your ministers. But do not depend upon man for wisdom. Seek God for the wisdom that comes from above. Ask your fellow laborers to pray with you; and the Lord will fulfill his word, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” 

Promises are estimated by the truth of the one who makes them. Many men make promises only to break them, to mock the heart that trusted in them. Those who lean upon such men lean upon broken reeds. But God is behind the promises he makes. He is ever mindful of his covenant, and his truth endures to all generations. “…there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” 

The Lord is always the same. He keeps truth forever, and there is no unfaithfulness in him. We have confidence in our fellow men; then why are we so apt to distrust the promises of God? Christ declared that heaven and earth would pass away, but that not one word of God would fail. Why, then, do we not honor the Lord by believing his word, which is not yea and nay, but yea and amen in Christ Jesus? Why do we not come to our Heavenly Father as a little child comes to its earthly parent, and ask him for the things we need? Christ says: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” 

In God there is strength; in him there is power… We are safe only when we feel our weakness, and cling with the grasp of faith to our mighty Deliverer. 

— The Youth’s Instructor, February 15, 1900 

The Response 

My Heavenly Father, I come before Your throne of grace bringing all my perplexities to You. I am weak and You are my strength. You said that all the promises are “Yes” in Christ. Your word does not fail, I seek wisdom from above. I need Your spiritual blessings, O Lord, and claim the promise to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I will cling by faith to my mighty Deliverer!