Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

— 1 Timothy 2:1, NLT 

THE TESTIMONY 

Let us understand our need of communion with God. We are to experience the sanctifying power of his grace on the human heart. We are to be submissive to the will of God, and willing to engage in the work that he has appointed his servants to do. 

There is danger of their failing to see the need of individually humbling themselves before God each day, and several times each day, and of asking him for the spiritual help they must have if they are to serve faithfully and acceptably. 

We can not afford to speak idle words; we can not afford to lose the spirit of intercession that God will let his blessing rest upon us in rich measure... Wherever we are, even if we are walking the streets, we can lift up heart and mind and soul to him who bids us, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Let us bring these three promises to the Lord, saying, “Lord, here I am in this great assembly; keep me from doing anything that will make a wrong impression on the people.” 

We need to have much more faith in God. Very soon the strife and oppression of foreign nations will break forth with an intensity that you do not now anticipate. You need to realize the importance of becoming acquainted with God in prayer. When you have the assurance that he hears you, you will be cheerful in tribulation; you will rise above despondency, because you experience the quickening influence of the power of God in your hearts. 

He wants you to institute meetings for those outside of the churches, that they may learn the truths of this last message of warning. There are places where you will be gladly received, where souls will thank you for coming to their help. May the Lord help you to take hold of this work as you have never yet taken hold of it. 

Let us present to our Saviour all our difficulties, and receive his help and encouragement, that we may learn how to be a blessing to the world. 

— The General Conference Bulletin, May 18, 1909 

THE RESPONSE 

Humble yourself before God several times each day asking Him for the spiritual help you must have if you are to serve faithfully and acceptably. 

In a spirit of intercession that God will let his blessing rest upon us in rich measure.

“Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Bring these three promises to the Lord. 

Become acquainted with God in prayer and experience the quickening influence of the power of God in your heart.