Prayer and Promises

That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life... — Philippians 2:15,16, ESV 

We are to communicate the light that God has richly bestowed upon us. The blessing of the Lord, received, must be passed on to others. Some will say, “I am not fit to serve God. How can I do this work of communicating truth? The opposition to the commandments of God is so strong, what can I, a poor weak creature, do?” It is well for you to realize your weakness, but you are to lean wholly upon God for strength. Is anything too hard for the Lord to do? 

God can and will work through human agencies. He can sanctify the heart, and make the human agent a vessel unto honor. Take the word; read it, consider, pray over it; let it enter into your understanding; let the light flood the soul temple, that you may testify of these things in the churches. The word of God is infallible; accept it as it reads; look with confidence to God; trust him to qualify you for his service. We are not authorized to trust in ourselves; Christ is our helper, our sufficiency. It is his to give us the victory... Only believe; walk by faith, not by sight. 

There are many souls yearning unutterably for light, for assurance and strength beyond what they have been able to grasp. They need to be sought out and labored for patiently, perseveringly. Present Jesus because you know him as your personal Saviour. Let his melting love, his rich grace, flow forth from human lips. You need not present doctrinal points unless questioned; but take the word, and with tender, yearning love for souls, show them the precious righteousness of Christ, to whom you and they must come to be saved.  

As laborers for the salvation of souls, ask wisdom from God, believing that he will bestow the gift you ask. Receive the precious endowment by faith, nothing doubting. As we seek God in sincerity, believing his word, acknowledging his goodness, his mercy, and his love toward ourselves, there flows forth from us the living water to refresh and revive the spirit of the humble and the contrite. 

— The Review and Herald, February 11, 1896 

Father God, I want to shine as Your light in this crooked world. As I open Your word, I pray it will enter into my understanding that I may know You in a more personal way. Help me pass Your blessings on to others, I feel so inadequate to communicate Your light. I claim the promise that nothing is too hard for You. I will walk by faith and not by sight and lean wholly upon You for strength. Give me a love for souls, O Lord, make me a laborer together with Christ.