Prayer and Promises

The Promise

“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit who is on you, and My words that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouth of your children, or from the mouth of your children’s children, from now on and forever,” says the Lord.

— Isaiah 59:21, HCSB 

The Testimony 

It will please the Lord Jesus to have the children ask him for every spiritual grace, to bring all their perplexities and trials to the Saviour; for he knows how to help the children and youth, because he was a child himself, and was once subject to all the trials, disappointments, and perplexities to which children and youth are subject. 

God’s promise is given as much to children and youth as to those of more mature age. Whenever God has given a promise, let the children and youth turn it into a petition, and beg the Lord to do those things for them in their experience, that he did for Jesus, his only begotten Son, when in human necessity he looked to God, asking for the things which he needed. 

God has withheld no blessing that is necessary for shaping the character of children and youth after the divine pattern given them in the youth of Jesus. They are to ask for the graces of his character, in simple, trusting faith, and in the name of Jesus, just as a son asks a favor of his earthly parent. 

Dear children and youth, you need a new heart. Ask God for this. He says, “A new heart also will I give you.” When you have asked according to his will, doubt not that you will receive; for whatever God has promised, he will fulfill. If you come with true contrition of soul, you need not feel that you are at all presumptuous in asking for what God has promised. Presumption is asking for things to gratify selfish inclination; for human enjoyment in earthly things. But when you ask for the spiritual blessings you so much need in order that you may perfect a character after Christ’s likeness, the Lord assures you that you are asking according to a promise that will be verified. You cannot show greater honor to Jesus Christ and your heavenly Father than to believe the word of God. The Prince of life says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Believe that God means just what he says, and honor him by taking him at his word. 

— The Youth’s Instructor, August 23, 1894 

THE RESPONSE

Father God, I ask You for every spiritual grace that I so much need in my perplexities and trials. Give me a new heart according to Your promise. You promised to put Your Spirit on me and Your words in my mouth, I believe Your word with a grateful heart that whatever You have promised You will fulfill. I pray for spiritual blessings that I may have a character after Christ’s likeness.