Prayer and Promises

THe PROMISE 

I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit. 

— Ephesians 3:16, HCSB 

THe TESTIMONY 

We do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every man good and evil angels strive. This is no make-believe conflict. 

We have to meet most powerful adversaries, and it rests with us to determine which shall win. We are to find our strength where the early disciples found theirs. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 1:14; 2:2, 4. 

There is no excuse for defection or despondency, because all the promises of heavenly grace are for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. The intensity of desire represented by hungering and thirsting is a pledge that the coveted supply will be given. 

Just as soon as we realize our inability to do God’s work, and submit to be guided by his wisdom, the Lord can work with us. If we will empty the soul of self, he will supply all our necessities. 

Place your mind and will where the Holy Spirit can reach them; for he will not work through another man’s mind and conscience to reach yours. With earnest prayer for wisdom, make the word of God your study. Take counsel of sanctified reason, surrendered wholly to God. 

Look upon Jesus in simplicity and faith. Gaze upon Jesus until the spirit faints under the excess of light. We do not half pray. We do not half believe. “Ask, and it shall be given you.” Luke 11:9. 

Pray, believe, strengthen one another. Pray as you never before prayed that the Lord will lay his hand upon you, that you may be able to comprehend the length and breadth and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. 

— Atlantic Union Gleaner, September 23, 1903 

THe RESPONSE

Find strength where the disciples found theirs. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.”  

Empty the soul of self, He will supply all our necessities. 

With earnest prayer for wisdom, make the word of God your study. Surrendered wholly to God. 

Pray as you never before prayed that the Lord will lay His hand on you, that you may be able to comprehend and know the love of Christ, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.