Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

— 1 Peter 1:13, NASB 

THE TESTIMONY 

We should think of what we are to Jesus, and of what he is to us, that we may carry on a successful warfare against the flesh, and against the natural tendencies of the mind. We are exhorted to gird up the loins of the mind, and to do this we must settle the mind upon Jesus. 

Fight the good fight of faith, ceasing to doubt, and not striving to make terms with God. After I surrendered myself to God, I found out why I had seemed to lose the blessing of God. It was because earth and earthly things filled me with anxiety, and I worried about a thousand things that I had no right to be anxious about. 

While in the company of those who bring heavenly influences with them, we feel the spirit of inspiration and praise to God come forth from our lips. We lie down to rest at night, but in the morning the same old worldly train of thought to which we have been accustomed, comes back to our minds, and instead of resting everything in the hands of God, we become troubled about many things, the peace and joy that we had the night before are gone, and we feel desolate and unblessed. Then what shall we do? Let us go to God, and say, “I commit all my troubles and perplexities to thee, and I know that I shall have thy help in all my tribulation, because thou hast promised it unto me. Thou hast said, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ ‘I am at your right hand to help you.’” Believe these words, trust in the promise of Jesus. 

Keep looking up, for your faith has bound you to the throne of God. Do not look down, as though you were bound to earth. Do not keep pulling up your faith to see if it has any root. Faith grows imperceptibly, and when the enemy rallies his forces to bring you into a critical place, the angels of God will be roundabout you, and you will have help from on high; for your prayer will be answered in the conflict. If you have genuine faith, you will praise God, from whom all blessings flow; and as you praise him, you will realize more of his blessing. 

— The Review and Herald, October 11, 1892 

THE RESPONSE 

My dear Lord, I fix my hope completely on the grace revealed through Jesus Christ and surrender myself to You. I give You all my doubts and commit all my troubles and perplexities to You, for You are my only help in tribulations. You gave us the promises, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” “I am at your right hand to help you.” I believe these words and trust in the promises of Jesus. I praise You from whom all blessings flow!