Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not make Your inheritance a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’”

— Joel 2:15,17, NASB 

The Testimony 

God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. 

Those who have access to God through Christ have important work before them. Now is the time to lay hold of the arm of our strength. The prayer of David should be the prayer of pastors and laymen: “It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law.” Let the servants of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar, crying: “Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach.” God has always wrought for His people in their greatest extremity, when there seemed the least hope that ruin could be averted. The designs of wicked men, the enemies of the church, are subject to His power and overruling providence. He can move upon the hearts of statesmen... Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep, the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith. He will restrain the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict. 

God means that testing truth shall be brought to the front and become a subject of examination and discussion, even if it is through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated. Every controversy, every reproach, every slander, will be God’s means of provoking inquiry and awakening minds that otherwise would slumber. 

A great work is to be done, and this work has been entrusted to those who know the truth. They should make mighty intercession with God for help now. The love of Christ must be diffused in their own hearts. The Spirit of Christ must be poured out upon them, and they must be making ready to stand in the judgment. While they are consecrating themselves to God, a convincing power will attend their efforts to present the truth to others, and its light will find access to many hearts. 

— Testimonies for the Church Volume 5, p.452-454 

The Response 

I consecrate myself to You with prayer and fasting, O my Father. Prepare me to stand against the opposition, I lay hold of Your arm of strength and plead Your promise to spare Your people, O Lord, and do not make them a byword among the nations. Pour out Your Holy Spirit that I may stand in Your truth. Diffuse the love of Christ into my heart and help me be a laborer in Your great work. Let the power of the Spirit attend my efforts that I may present the truth to others with a convincing power.