Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God... casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

— 2 Corinthians 10:4,5, MEV 

THE TESTIMONY 

The inhabitants of Heaven are perfect, because the will of God is their joy, and supreme delight. Many here destroy their own comfort, injure their health, and violate a good conscience, because they will not cease to do wrong. 

The reading of God’s word will not fascinate the imagination, and inflame the passions, like a fictitious story-book, but softens, soothes, elevates, and sanctifies, the heart. When in trouble, when assailed by fierce temptations, they have the privilege of prayer. What an exalted privilege! Finite beings, of dust and ashes, admitted through the mediation of Christ, into the audience-chamber of the Most High. In such exercises the soul is brought into a sacred nearness with God, and is renewed in knowledge, and true holiness, and fortified against the assaults of the enemy. 

All are free moral agents. And as such they must bring their thoughts to run in the right channel. Their meditations should be of that nature which will elevate their minds, and make Jesus and heaven the subjects of their thoughts. 

If Satan seeks to divert the mind from this to low and sensual things, bring it back again, and place it on eternal things... The first work for those who would reform, is to purify the imagination. If the mind is led out in a vicious direction, it must be restrained to dwell only upon pure and elevated subjects. When tempted to yield to a corrupt imagination, then flee to the throne of grace and pray for strength from Heaven. In the strength of God the imagination can be restricted to dwell upon things which are pure and heavenly. 

Those who would have that wisdom which is from God, must become fools in the sinful knowledge of this age, in order to be wise. They should shut their eyes that they may see and learn no evil. They should close their ears lest they hear that which is evil, and obtain that knowledge which would stain their purity of thoughts and acts. 

The prayer of the living Christian will be “to be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding, that they may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing...” 

— An Appeal to Mothers, 1864, p.24-32 

THE RESPONSE 

Read God’s word to elevate and sanctify your heart. When assailed by fierce temptations, pray to be brought into sacred nearness with God.

Bring your thoughts in the right channel. Make Jesus and heaven the subjects of your thoughts. 

When tempted to yield to a corrupt imagination, flee to the throne of grace and pray for strength from Heaven that your imagination may dwell upon things which are pure and heavenly. 

Pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing Him...” (See Colossians 1:9-11)