Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 

— Ephesians 2:8, NKJV   

THE TESTIMONY 

We want to know how to exercise faith. Faith “is the gift of God,” but the power to exercise it is ours.

If faith lies dormant, it is no advantage to us; but in exercise, it holds all blessings in its grasp. It is the hand by which the soul takes hold of the strength of the Infinite. It is the medium by which human hearts, renewed by the grace of Christ, are made to beat in harmony with the great Heart of love. Faith plants itself on the promises of God, and claims them as surety that he will do just as he said he would.

Many know so little of faith that when they have asked God for his help and blessing, they look to themselves to see if their prayer is answered; and if they have a happy flight of feeling, they are satisfied. This is not faith, but unbelief. We should trust God, whether we experience any change of feeling or not. 

We should study the Bible more that we may become familiar with the promises of God; then when Satan comes in, flooding the soul with his temptations, as he surely will, we may meet him with, “It is written.” We may be shut in by the promises of God, which will be as a wall of fire about us. 

If we spent all our spare moments in work for the Redeemer, in searching the Scriptures, and in pleading with God to be imbued with his Spirit, what precious victories we should gain for Jesus! 

Believe; claim the promises, and praise God that you do receive the things you have asked of him, and when your need is greatest, you will experience his blessing and receive special help. 

Those who yield themselves to the heavenly power, which alone can quell tumultuous passion, will be as angels of peace and blessing in the home circle. 

it is essential for us to cultivate spiritually, to think often of Jesus, and to keep faith alive. Let us ever remember that God sees us. We may say with the psalmist, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

— Signs of the Times, May 22, 1884 

THE RESPONSE 

Plant your faith on the promises of God, claim His promise as a pledge that He will do just as He said He would. 

Meet Satan’s temptations with, “It is written.” The promises will be as a wall of fire around you. 

Spend time in searching the Scriptures and pleading with God that you may be imbued with His Spirit.  

Believe. When you claim the promises praise God that you receive the things you have asked of Him.