Prayer and Promises

This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have declared Your name to them, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. — John 17:3,26, MEV 

We are in continual danger of getting above the simplicity of the gospel. There is an intense desire on the part of many to startle the world with something original, that shall lift the people into a state of spiritual ecstasy, and change the present order of experience. There is certainly great need of a change in the present order of experience; for the sacredness of present truth is not realized as it should be, but the change we need is a change of heart, and can only be obtained by seeking God individually for his blessing, by pleading with him for his power, by fervently praying that his grace may come upon us, and that our characters may be transformed. This is the change we need today, and for the attainment of this experience we should exercise persevering energy and manifest heart-felt earnestness. We should ask with true sincerity, “What shall I do to be saved?” 

Jesus said: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” All that was done and said had this one object in view,—to rivet truth in their minds that they might attain unto everlasting life… And after giving them this precious instruction, he promised to give them the Holy Spirit whereby all things that he had said unto them should be brought to their remembrance. 

We are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth.  

Today you are to give yourself to God, that you may be emptied of self, emptied of envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, strife, everything that shall be dishonoring to God. Today you are to have your vessel purified that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord—fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

— The Review and Herald, March 22, 1892 

O Lord, transform my character. I ask for Your divine grace and blessings to come upon me. I yield myself to the control of the Holy Spirit and give myself to You.  Empty my heart of all evil-suspicions and strife. Fill me with Your love. By Your name, help me to be a blessing to others who are struggling. Thank You for the promise of the Holy Spirit.