Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

— Hebrews 10:22,23, NASB 

The Testimony 

Wait on the Lord, and he will bring it to pass. When doubts fold their dark pinions about your soul, present to the Lord his promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” Believe you receive the things you ask for, and you shall have them. 

The Lord in his wisdom does not always grant the request at once. He sees that it is necessary that the petitioner should search his heart, and should exercise repentance for sin and wrong. He sees that it is necessary that the heart should be emptied of vanity so that God may pour his richest treasures into the soul. The Lord encourages us to ask. No one is to become discouraged because he does not immediately realize the relief he desires. Let the petitioner cherish trusting faith, and refuse to be disheartened. Let him appropriate the promise, believing that his petition has found favor with God, and rest in the promise, “It shall be given you.” Although we cannot always be upon our knees, yet the desires of our heart should be constantly ascending to God. We should present to him those things that we feel are necessary for our advancement. We may have to pass through a painful season of suspense, and our case may seem exceedingly urgent, but in this way the soul becomes educated to look unto God as unto a faithful Creator. He would have us ponder on the promises and delight in the positive assurances that he has brought to view in his precious word. 

Come before the mercy-seat with reverence, calling up to our mind the promises that God has given, contemplating the goodness of God, and offering up thankful praises for his unchangeable love. We are not to trust in our finite prayers, but in the word of our Heavenly Father, in his assurance of his love for us. Believing the promise of his unchanging love, we press our petitions to the throne of grace. Our faith may be tested by delay; but the prophet has given instruction as to what we should do. He says, “Who is among you that feareth the Lord…let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” Wait upon the Lord; he has made the promise, and is back of the assurance. 

— The Review and Herald, November 19, 1895                          

The Response 

Dear Lord, I come seeking to draw near with a sincere heart of faith, holding fast to my hope in You. I cling to Your word for “He who promised is faithful.” I empty my heart of self and all vanity, I ask You to pour out Your richest treasures into my soul. You encourage me to ask for those things that is necessary for my spiritual advancement and I rest in the promise, “It shall be given you.” I will trust in the name of the Lord!