Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

“Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness, by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

— Acts 4:29-31, MEV 

The Testimony 

For what has the history of the work of the disciples been recorded, as they labored with holy zeal, animated and vitalized by the Holy Spirit, if it is not that from this record the Lord’s people today shall gain an inspiration to work earnestly for Him. What the Lord did for His people in that time, it is just as essential and more so that He do for His people today. All that the apostles did, every church member today is to do. We are to work with as much more fervor, accompanied by the Holy Spirit in as much greater measure, as the increase of wickedness demands a more decided call to repentance. Every one on whom is shining the light of present truth, is to be stirred with compassion for those who are in darkness. From all believers, in clear, distinct rays, light is to be reflected. 

It was sincere devotion and humble, earnest prayer that brought the disciples into close communion with Christ. They sat together with Him in heavenly places. They realized the greatness of their debt to Him. Should we be less earnest than they were? Shall we not by living faith claim the promises which moved them to the depths of their being to call upon the Lord Jesus for the fulfillment of the word, “Ask, and ye shall receive?” Is not the Spirit of God to come today in answer to persevering prayer, and fill men with power? Is the throne of grace farther removed from us than it was from the disciples? Is not God saying to His praying, trusting, believing workers, who are opening the Scriptures to those ignorant of the precious truths they contain, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”? 

Let us show that we are workers together with God. Let us be as true as steel to principle. No one can stay at home in ease, living only for self, without becoming selfish. We must be representatives of Christ, if we would be truly happy. The earnest, united prayers of faith will inspire Christlike zeal. 

We need to cherish the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. 

— Bible Training School, January 1, 1911 

The Response 

Seek to be animated and vitalized by the Holy Spirit as you work earnestly for God. Be stirred with compassion for those who are in darkness.

Through sincere devotion and humble, earnest prayer, come into close communion with Christ and realize the greatness of your debt to Him. 

By living faith claim the promises. Call upon the Lord Jesus for the fulfillment of the word, “Ask, and you will receive.”

Perseveringly pray for the Spirit of God to come and fill you with power as you open the Scriptures to those ignorant of the precious truths they contain.