Prayer and Promises

For the love of Christ compels us… Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. — 2 Corinthians 5:14,18, NKJV  

“The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constraineth us.” It was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty for a moment flagged, one glance at the cross and the amazing love of Christ revealed in His unparalleled sacrifice was enough to cause him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward… A person who diligently labors under the direction of the Spirit of God will possess power and influence. 

Several times each day precious, golden moments should be consecrated to prayer and the study of the Scriptures, if it is only to commit a text to memory, that spiritual life may exist in the soul. The varied interests of the cause furnish us with food for reflection and inspiration for our prayers. Communion with God is highly essential for spiritual health, and here only may be obtained that wisdom and correct judgment so necessary in the performance of every duty. 

The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with individual effort in training the mind to thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares the person for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances, however trying. The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity. In order that we may be kept by the power of God through faith, the desires of the mind should be continually ascending in silent prayer for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. 

God requires us to be living epistles, known and read of all men. The soul that turns to God for its strength, its support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness. By maintaining a connection with God we shall be enabled to diffuse to others, through our association with them, the light, the peace, the serenity, that rules in our hearts, and set before them an example of unwavering fidelity to the interests of the work in which we are engaged. 

— Testimonies for the Church Volume 4, p.457-459 

My dear Lord, I surrender my all to Jesus and pray for wisdom and correct judgment as I perform my duties. Through all the circumstances of this day, let me diffuse Your light and be an example for good. May Your Holy Spirit direct my labors. I need help and pray for strength and knowledge. Help me dedicate golden moments throughout the day to prayerfully memorize a text. Thank you, O Lord, that You are my light, let me be a living epistle for You.