Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

And can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.

— 1 John 3:22, HCSB 

The Testimony 

We do not value the power and efficacy of prayer as we should. Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish. 

Prayer and faith are closely allied, and they need to be studied together. In the prayer of faith there is a divine science; it is a science that every one who would make his life work a success must understand. Christ says, ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.’ He makes it plain that our asking must be according to God’s will; we must ask for the things that he has promised, and whatever we receive must be used in doing his will. The conditions met, the promise is unequivocal. 

Where there is not only a belief in God’s word, but a submission of the will to him, where the heart is yielded to him, the affections fixed upon him, there is faith,—faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. 

Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which, through the grace of Christ, the soul becomes a conquering power. 

How often those who trusted the word of God, though in themselves utterly helpless, have withstood the power of the whole world,—Enoch, pure in heart, holy in life, holding fast his faith in the triumph of righteousness against a corrupt and scoffing generation; Noah and his household against the men of his time. 

For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do his work, for any gift he has promised, we may ask; then we are to believe that we receive, and return thanks to God that we have received. 

We need look for no outward evidence of the blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may go about our work assured that what God has promised he is able to perform, and that the gift, which we already possess, will be realized when we need it most. 

— The Review and Herald, November 11, 1915 

The Response 

Father God, I yield my whole heart to You that I may do that which is pleasing in Your sight. Renew my heart and purify my soul through Your grace. In Your word I put my trust and submit myself to do Your will and keep Your commands. I claim the promises for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, and for wisdom and strength to do Your work. Without You I am utterly helpless. Thank You for the assurances of Your precious promises for You are able to perform all that You have promised!