Prayer and Promises

The promise 

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

— John 20:21,22, NASB 

The testimony 

As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” We are to bear as definite a testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, as did Christ and his apostles. Trusting in the efficiency of the Holy Spirit, we are to testify of the mercy, goodness, and love of a crucified and risen Saviour, and thus be agents through whom the darkness will be dispelled from many minds, and cause thanksgiving and praise to ascend from many hearts to God. There is a great work to be done by every son and daughter of God. Jesus says: “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” In his prayer for his disciples, he says that he not only prayed for those in his immediate presence, but “for them also which shall believe on me through their word.”… Christ has prayed for his people, and made them abundant promises to insure success to them as his co-laborers. He said, “Greater works than these [those he did] shall ye do; because I go unto my Father.” 

Our Saviour has “all power…in heaven and in earth,” and this power is promised unto us. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” Even though a church may be composed of poor and uneducated and unknown persons, yet if they are believing, praying members, their influence will be felt for time and for eternity. If they go forth in simple faith, relying upon the promises of the word of God, they may accomplish great good… The life of meek, childlike trust, of true piety, true religion, will be effective in its influence upon others. Persons who are highly educated are likely to depend more upon their book knowledge than upon God. Often they do not seek a knowledge of God’s ways by wrestling earnestly with him in secret prayer, laying hold upon the promises of God by faith. Those who have received the heavenly unction will go forth with a Christlike spirit, seeking an opportunity to engage others in conversation, and to reveal to them the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent, whom to know is life eternal. They will become living epistles, revealing the Light of the world to mankind. 

— The Review and Herald, June 25, 1895 

The response 

Dear Lord, I want to be a representative of Your mercy, goodness and love but I do not trust in my own ability. You promised the power of the Holy Spirit that I may be Your witness, I put my trust in the efficiency of Your Spirit. I lay hold of Your abundant promises that I may be a co-laborer with Christ. Be with me that I may go forth with a Christlike spirit revealing the Light of the world to others.