Prayer and Promises

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. — James 1:2,3, CSB 

When tribulation comes upon us, how many of us fail to rejoice. Many are like Peter, and look upon the troublous waves about them, instead of keeping the eye fixed upon Jesus. When we turn our eyes from our difficulties, and fix them upon Jesus our helper, we see what matchless charms He has, and know that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” 

Jesus says, “When ye pray, believe that ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” You are to come to the Father, emptying the soul of every sin and defilement, that you may prove the promises of the Lord. You cannot indulge your own temper and have your own way, and still expect to have the advantages of the children of God; you must struggle with hereditary tendencies, and yield not to temptation. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” As a child comes to its parent, so you are to come to Jesus, telling Him just what you want, presenting before Him your need of his presence and grace. 

Jesus came to break the power of Satan, and to set the captives free. He will provide strength from above, that we may see and resist the temptations of the enemy. Through communion with God we may have divine discernment; but Satan ever seeks to hinder men from engaging in prayer. He seeks to fill their time with business or pleasure, or to lead them into such evil that they will have no desire to pray. 

Let us begin each day as if it were the last we should pass upon earth, and continuing in prayer let us live in such a way, that we may ask God at its close to bless our efforts and influence. Through connection with Christ, through acceptance of his righteousness by faith, we may work the works of God, and become labourers together with Christ. He will bestow upon us heavenly gifts that will satisfy the deepest cravings of the heart. If you come to Him as little children, pleading God’s promises, making them your own, you will receive fulness of joy, and have a foretaste of eternal blessedness. 

— Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, March 1, 1893 

Father God, troublous waves are about to swallow me up. I turn my eyes away from these difficulties and fix my eyes on You, clinging to Your promise that all things work together for good to those who love God. I empty my soul of every sin and defilement and seek Your presence and grace in my life. Give me divine discernment. I connect with You that I may do Your works. Bless my efforts and influence. I praise You for the precious promises and Your heavenly gifts!