Prayer and Promises

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. — Philippians 2:3,4, NASB 

No one can live to himself in this world, even if he would. Each one forms a part of the great web of humanity. No man can be independent of his fellow-men; for the well-being of each affects others. 

Each soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own, an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith and hope and courage, and sweet with the fragrance of love, or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every one with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected. 

If, by our example, we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence many may be blessed. 

God calls for strong, brave Christians, whose influence is always exerted for the right. His cause needs men and women whose every word and act draws those around them to Christ, binding them to Him by the persuasive force of loving service. Men and women who commune with God, who, because they co-operate with the heavenly angels, are surrounded by a holy influence, are needed at this time. 

It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of our influence. There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for good. If we realize our helplessness, and our need of divine power, we shall not trust to ourselves. We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to our heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choosing words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world. 

— Signs of the Times, October 21, 1903 

Heavenly Father, in starting my day I commit my ways to You. May Your grace surround me with an atmosphere charged with faith and sweetened with the fragrance of Your love. I do not trust myself to exert an influence for good on my own. I plead for Your mighty power. Thank You for your angels that watch over me and keep me from exerting a wrong influence as well as prompting me to a better course. Let my every word and deed draw others around me to Christ and the heavenly world.