Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high. 

— Luke 24:49, MEV 

The Testimony 

Before He left His disciples, Christ breathed on them, and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Again He said, “Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you.” But not until after the ascension was this gift received in its fulness. Not until through faith and prayer the disciples had surrendered themselves fully for His working, was the outpouring of the Spirit bestowed. 

Christ declares that the divine influence of the Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. But by some this promise is not appreciated as it should be; its fulfillment is not realized as it might be. Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner won to Christ. When His disciples are connected with Christ, when the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, even the poorest and most ignorant of them will have a power that will tell upon hearts. 

As the divine endowment—the power of the Holy Spirit—was given to the disciples, so it will today be given to all who seek aright. This power alone is able to make us wise unto salvation, and to fit us for the courts above. Christ wants to give us a blessing that will make us holy. “These things have I spoken unto you,” He says, “that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Joy in the Holy Spirit is health-giving, life-giving. In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself,—a fountain of divine influences, to give health and life to the world. 

The promise of the gifts is just as strong and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. “These signs shall follow them that believe.” The gifts of Him who has all power in heaven and in earth, are in store for His children,—gifts so precious that they come to us through the costly sacrifice of the Redeemer’s blood; gifts that will satisfy the deepest craving of the heart; gifts lasting as eternity. 

Will you not come to God as little children, appropriate His promises, plead them before Him as His own words? If you do, you will receive fulness of joy. 

— The Signs of the Times, March 15, 1910 

The Response 

O my Father, I humbly surrender myself fully to Your working. As Your child, I plead Your own words for the promise of the Holy Spirit that gives life and health to the world. I seek the power of the Holy Spirit, in faith I pray for the divine influence of Your Spirit that I may receive Your joy to be able to win sinners to Christ.