Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would give you, according to the riches of His glory, power to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man.

— Ephesians 3:14,16, MEV 

THE TESTIMONY 

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was essential for the success of the ministry in the early gospel age; but it is no less necessary in this age when “darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” And the Lord has promised the same quickening spiritual power to his servants in these days. “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh...” 

A formal religion, a feeble faith, does not correspond to the truth we profess. It demands living energy and fervency of spirit. It must be heart-felt with us, if we would urge it to the hearts of others. It must be cherished with intense love, if we would have others feel the sacredness and preciousness of its claims. All who would engage in the work of saving souls, must feel their dependence on God.

He will “be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.” He who feels his weakness and wrestles with God, as did Jacob, and like this servant of old cries, “I will not let thee go except thou bless me,” will go forth with the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere of Heaven will surround him. He will go about doing good. His influence will be a positive force acting upon others. He will be a living epistle, known and read of all men. 

The believer in Jesus has a right to expect a rich and abundant experience. It is his privilege, if he has complied with the conditions, to plead and claim the promises of God, and if he does this he will receive according to his faith. 

Come to God in faith and humility. Plead with him till the break of day, if necessary, till your soul is brought into such close relationship with Jesus, that you can lay your burden at his feet, and say, “I know whom I have believed.” The Lord is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Our cold, faithless hearts may be quickened into sensibility and life, till we can pray in faith, preach in faith, and say, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.” Let us seek for the fullness of the salvation of Christ. 

— Signs of the Times, February 24, 1888 

THE RESPONSE 

Feel your own weakness and wrestle with God crying, “I will not let You go until You bless me,” and you will go forth with the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Plead and claim the promises of God, comply with the conditions and you will receive according to your faith. 

Come to God in faith and humility. Plead with Him till your soul is brought into such a close relationship with Jesus that you can lay your burdens at His feet. 

Believe that the Lord is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Pray in faith, preach in faith, and live by faith In the Son of God.