Prayer and Promises

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe. — Hebrews 12: 28 HCSB 

Let our prayers ascend to God for his converting, transforming grace. Meetings should be held in every church for solemn prayer and earnest searching of the word to know what is truth. Take the promises of God, and ask God in living faith for the outpouring of his Holy Spirit. 

The Lord knocks at the door of your heart, desiring to enter, that he may impart spiritual riches to your soul… Christ has made rich promises in regard to bestowing the Holy Spirit upon his church, and yet how little these promises are appreciated! 

It is essential that we study the Scriptures far more earnestly than we do. With fervent prayer we should earnestly and thoroughly examine the pillars of our faith, to see that we have no false support. 

When the churches become living, working churches, the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. Then the truth of God’s word will be regarded with new interest, and will be explored as if it were a revelation just from the courts above. Every declaration of inspiration concerning Christ will take hold of the inmost soul of those who love him. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, will cease. The Bible will be regarded as a charter from heaven. Its study will absorb the mind, and its truths will feast the soul. The promises of God now repeated as if the soul had never tasted of his love, will then glow upon the altar of the heart, and fall in burning words from the lips of the messengers of God. They will then plead with souls with an earnestness that cannot be repulsed. Then the windows of heaven will be open for the showers of the latter rain. The followers of Christ will be united in love. 

We should study God’s word with humility, with hope, with prayerful hearts, grateful that such a treasure has been vouchsafed to us. Every doctrine must be brought to the Bible. Every perplexing question must be settled by a “thus saith the Lord.” 

Christ says, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” His words must become a part of our very life; then we shall offer fervent, effectual prayers with that faith which will bring returns. 

— The Review and Herald, February 25, 1890 

I pray for Your converting, transforming grace, O Lord, and open my heart asking that Your spiritual riches fill my soul. I appreciate Your promises and ask in living faith for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that Your words may become a part of my very life.