Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

— Philippians 1:9,10, NIV 

THE TESTIMONY 

The Lord presents before his finite creatures no impossibilities. Our Heavenly Father claims not at our hands that which we can not perform. 

He desires his people to labor earnestly to carry out his purpose for them. They are to pray for power, expect power, and receive power, that they may grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. 

Not all the members of the church are cultivating personal piety... If those so lacking in piety and earnestness would seek to learn the lessons contained in God’s Word, and would feel it their duty to practice these lessons, there would be more power in the church. 

The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. God’s people are to be filled with holy joy, that its radiance may shine forth from them, brightening the pathway of others. What power, what peace, what joy, the soul may have that is united with Christ. The divine splendor is revealed to those who commune with him who is the source of power. 

At our baptism we pledged ourselves to break all connection with Satan and his agencies, and to put heart and mind and soul into the work of extending the kingdom of God. All heaven is working for this object. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are pledged to co-operate with sanctified human instrumentalities. If we are true to our vow, there is opened to us a door of communication with heaven,—a door that no human hand or satanic agency can close. 

Are you using all your powers in an effort to bring the lost sheep back to the fold? There are thousands upon thousands in ignorance who might be warned. Pray as you have never prayed before for the power of Christ. Pray for the inspiration of his Spirit, that you may be filled with a desire to save those who are perishing. 

Let the prayer ascend to heaven, “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” 

— The Review and Herald, May 17, 1906 

THE RESPONSE 

Labor earnestly to carry out God’s purpose. Pray for power, expect power and receive power. 

Seek to learn the lessons contained in God’s Word, then practice these lessons. 

Use all your powers in an effort to bring the lost sheep back to the fold. Pray for the inspiration of His Spirit that you may be filled with a desire to save those who are perishing. 

Let the prayer ascend to heaven, “God be merciful to us and bless us; cause His face to shine on us that Your way may be known on earth.”