Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty. So I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I bring and keep my body under subjection, lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 

— 1 Corinthians 9:26,27, MEV 

THE TESTIMONY

All our powers of soul, body, and spirit must be engaged in the Christian warfare. We must look to Christ for strength and grace, and we shall gain the victory as surely as Jesus died for us. 

Look to him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults. When assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the evil promptings; say to your soul, “How can I dishonor my Redeemer? I have given myself to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan.” Cry to the dear Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol, and to put away every darling sin. Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father’s throne, presenting his wounded hands as he pleads for you. Believe that strength comes to you through your precious Saviour. 

If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose their power as we contemplate the glories of that better land so soon to be our home. Beside the loveliness of Christ, all earthly attractions will seem of little worth. 

“To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.” If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. “No man can serve two masters.” If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; but the Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant warfare. Here is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 

Daily prayer is as essential to growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to physical well-being. We should accustom ourselves to often lift the thoughts to God in prayer... We may have his presence to attend us at every step, but only be observing the conditions which he has himself laid down. 

— The Review and Herald, November 15, 1887 

THE RESPONSE

I give myself to You, dear Lord, crying for help to overcome my personal faults and gain the victory. Through Your strength and grace I sacrifice every idol and put away every darling sin. I choose to dwell more on the life of my Savior and the heavenly world to come. Through Christ I unite my human weakness to Your strength, may Your presence attend my every step. Thanks be to God, who gives me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ!