Prayer and Promises

The promise

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

— Mark 16:20, NKJV 

The testimony 

Many…have little success in winning souls to the truth. What is the reason of this lack?—They have not the living faith that takes God at his word. Those who have this vital connection with God, labor for the one object,—to save souls… They go to the houses of the people and sit down with the families, taking the Bible with them, and they become missionaries in the home, and wherever they are. 

May the Lord awaken an interest in the hearts of those who are guiding this work, that light may shine in the darkened places. Those who are content to sit under the clear light of truth from Sabbath to Sabbath, and do nothing to diffuse the light, will after a time lose it themselves. If we would keep the light, we must be constantly giving it to others. 

Learn of Christ how to do better. If you are doing the best you know, then, for Christ’s sake, put yourselves in the channel of light, where the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will shine into the heart, and you will know how to do better. God wants us to improve all our powers, and to make use of all the opportunities he has given us for soul-culture. He wants us to learn every day in the school of Christ. 

Do you meet with opposition? In meeting opposition you are driven to the Lord of heaven for strength and support; you are driven to the gate of heaven, that the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness may shine into your hearts. Then you will not merely tell what the requirements of God are, but you will tell of his grace and love, of his mercy and joy and peace, which lift you above the temptations that will assail you. 

When you place yourselves where you should be in order to hear the voice of God, you will come before him every day, saying, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” And the Lord will give you a burden for souls, and will touch your lips as he did those of Isaiah, with a live coal from off his altar. 

God wants every one here to receive of his Spirit. He wants to give us of his power. 

— General Conference Daily Bulletin, March 20, 1891 

The response 

O Lord, forgive me for my lack of faith in the power of Your word. I put myself in the channel of Your light that I may learn from Christ how to do better. Touch my lips with the live coal from off Your alter that I may tell of Your grace and love, of the mercy and peace that lifts me above the temptations that assail me. I praise You for working with me in confirming the word.