Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News.

—Ephesians 3:7, NLT

THE TESTIMONY

Let us live for the Master, striving to help one another.

There must be less self measurement, and more, very much more, Christlike practice. There must be more earnest, persevering prayer. Prayer is acceptable only when offered in faith and in the name of the Redeemer. Our faith must grasp the glorious fact that God hears and answers the prayers of every sincere seeker. As the believer bows in supplication before God, and in humility and contrition offers his petition from unfeigned lips, keeping his eyes fixed steadily on the Mediator of the new covenant, he loses all thought of self. His mind is filled with the thought of what he must have in order to build up a Christlike character. He prays, “Lord, if I am to be a channel through which thy love is to flow day by day and hour by hour, I claim by faith the grace and power that thou hast promised.” He fastens his hold firmly on the promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” 

How this dependence pleases the Master! How he delights to hear the steady, earnest pleading! How quickly the sincere, fervent prayer is recognized and honored! How intensely interested the heavenly angels are!

With wonderful and ennobling grace the Lord sanctifies the humble petitioner, giving him power to perform the most difficult duties. All that is undertaken is done unto the Lord, and this elevates and sanctifies the lowliest calling. It invests with new dignity every word, every act, and links the humblest worker, the poorest of God’s servants, with the highest of the angels in the heavenly courts. 

I urge our people to cease their criticism and evil speaking, and go to God in earnest prayer, asking him to help them to help the erring. Let them link up with one another and with Christ.

— The Review and Herald, January 27, 1903

THE RESPONSE

Pray more earnestly. By faith grasp the fact that God hears and answers the prayers of every sincere seeker. 

Bow before God in humility and contrition, offer your petition from sincere lips keeping your eyes fixed steadily on Christ.

Pray, “Lord, if I am to be a channel through which Your love is to flow day by day and hour by hour, I claim by faith the grace and power that You have promised.”

Go to God in earnest prayer asking Him to help you to help the erring.