Prayer and Promises

The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. — John 6:63, HCSB 

The Bible is the voice of God to man, telling him what he must do to gain eternal life. “Search the Scriptures,” said Christ… If you would be successful students of this word, ask God for the aid of his Holy Spirit, who will teach us all things. Carefully study the Bible, verse by verse, praying that God will give you wisdom to understand his word. Take one verse, and concentrate your mind on it, praying to ascertain the thought God has put in that verse for you. Dwell upon the thought until it becomes your own, and you know “what saith the Lord.” 

In God there is strength to overcome all temptations. When you are tempted, let your heart go out to God in prayer for strength to resist the enemy. Learn to believe in Jesus, and to take him at his word. Fasten the mind on his precious promises, that you may give help to those with whom you associate. The young as well as the old are to be workers together with God in the battle against evil. By faith in the blood of Christ they can keep their own souls in the love of God. Each morning let them say, I must live for Jesus today; I must love him, and think of him, and refuse to be led by the tempter to do a wrong action. Then they will be victors in the battle, and a victory gained today fortifies the soul against tomorrow’s temptations. Ask God to show you what you should avoid, and what you should encourage.

All who search the inspired word for themselves will gain a knowledge of a personal, abiding Saviour; and their Christian experience will not depend upon feeling, but upon the word of the living God. “The words I speak unto you,” said Jesus, “they are spirit, and they are life.” And the more one studies the word of God, the more that word takes possession of his mind, and he sees deeper and deeper into the divine purpose. Said the psalmist, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple,”—to all who, with the simplicity of a child, will search that word. 

As you appropriate the precious promises it contains, you will find help and assurance. Your light will shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day; for you will know Him. 

— The Review and Herald, August 4, 1896 

My Heavenly Father, I pray for the aid of the Holy Spirit to teach me Your wisdom as I study the Bible. Give me an understanding of Your divine purposes. Keep my soul in Your love that I may live for Jesus today. I pray for Your strength to resist the temptations of the enemy. Show me those things I should avoid and help me in those things that will encourage my Christian experience. I fasten my mind on Your precious promises that I may be a worker together with You.