Prayer and Promises

Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus, will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. — 1 Peter 5:8,10, MEV 

God has a deep and earnest love for every member of the human family; not one is forgotten, not one is left helpless and deceived to be overcome by the enemy. 

Satan…is aroused when the message of mercy reaches his bond slaves, and they seek to wrench themselves away from his power, that they may follow the true Shepherd. Then it is that he seeks to bind them with additional chains to hold them in their captivity. The conflict between the soul and Satan begins when the captive begins to tug at the chain, and longs to be free; for it is then that the human agent begins to cooperate with heavenly intelligences, when faith takes hold on Christ. Then it is that the Stronger than the strong man armed, is the helper of the soul, and the poor captive is strengthened by the Holy Spirit to obtain his freedom. 

Those who really desire to be taught of God, and to walk in his way, have the sure promise that if they feel their lack of wisdom and ask of God, he will give liberally, and upbraid not. The apostle says, “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering… A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” God is behind every promise, and we cannot dishonor him more than by questioning and hesitating, by asking and not believing, and then by talking doubt. If you do not immediately receive what you have asked for, will you go on in sullenness and unbelief? Believe; believe that God will do just what he has promised. Keep your prayers ascending, and watch, work, and wait. Fight the good fight of faith. Say to your heart, “God has invited me to come. He has heard my prayer. He has pledged his word that he will receive me, and he will fulfill his promise. I can trust God; for he so loved me that he gave his only begotten Son to die for me. The Son of God is my Redeemer.” “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” 

— The Youth’s Instructor, May 10, 1894 

O my Father, I want freedom. I seek to wrench myself away from the power of the enemy and follow You. You pledged in Your word that You will receive me. In faith I take hold of the strong arm of Jesus. I want you to be my teacher so I may walk in Your ways. I trust in You for You fulfill all Your promises!