Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

Jesus...said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you.”

— Mark 5:19, MEV 

The Testimony 

We must daily and hourly press close to the side of Jesus, to receive strength and grace to do that which he has given us to do. We may be laborers together with God. Our precious, golden moments must not be wasted in self-pleasing, but they must be given to glorifying God. 

Our missionary work should begin with our own hearts, to set them in order. If we have unkind thoughts and feelings toward others, we must put them away.  

Through the grace given us, we must control our thoughts and feelings, and have the mind that dwelt in Christ. He has sent each one of us to be a missionary to the world; and if you partake constantly of his Spirit, by earnest prayer and faith, you may live as he lived. Then what good you might do in your own family, in the church, in the world! 

“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” We are to feel our dependence, that we can do nothing without him, and then when we call, he will answer us. We must have hearts full of faith, having God’s glory constantly in view. We need to be aroused upon one point,—that God has made us stewards; and we need to pray constantly for tact and a clear conception and heavenly wisdom to use his gifts of speech, of influence, aright for the Master. 

We must have faith in the Scriptures. All who are pressing forward to the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, will see and feel the necessity of having humble thoughts of themselves, and praying earnestly for wisdom from Jesus, that they may have an understanding heart to believe and live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. As this faith does not originate with ourselves, but is the gift of God, it will be constantly given to all who seek for it earnestly and prayerfully. 

The one who has struggled day by day for the victory, and conquered, knows how to help others. He has patience to try to strengthen the faint-hearted who have been overcome again and again. By precept and example the one who has had to watch and pray and fight the battles against self, can reveal to others the preciousness of faith and hope, which give light amid the darkness, joy in the midst of sorrow. 

— Signs of the Times, October 12, 1891 

The Response 

Tell your friends what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has compassion on you. 

Begin the missionary work in your own heart. By earnest prayer and faith, constantly partake of His Spirit that the mind of Christ Jesus may be in you.

Pray constantly for tact and a clear conception and heavenly wisdom to correctly use His gifts of speech and influence for the Master. 

Pray earnestly for wisdom from Jesus, that you may have an understanding heart to believe and live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.