Transcription
We continue reading today from pages 59-62 of the compilation Prayer by EllenWhite.OPEN WITH PRAYER1
Pray; then leave the results with God—Work in faith, and leave results with God. Prayin faith, and the mystery of His providence will bring its answer. At times it may seemthat you cannot succeed. But work and believe, putting into your efforts faith, hope,and courage. After doing what you can, wait for the Lord, declaring His faithfulness,and He will bring His word to pass. Wait, not in fretful anxiety, but in undaunted faithand unshaken trust.—(Testimonies for the Church 7:245.)2
Pray with confidence—It is the heartfelt prayer of faith that is heard in heaven andanswered on earth. God understands the needs of humanity. He knows what wedesire before we ask Him. He sees the soul’s conflict with doubt and temptation. Hemarks the sincerity of the suppliant. He will accept the humiliation and affliction ofthe soul. “To this man will I look,” He declares, “even to him that is poor and of acontrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”It is our privilege to pray with confidence, the Spirit inditing our petitions. Withsimplicity we should state our needs to the Lord, and claim His promise.—(God’sAmazing Grace, 92.)3
Jesus is as willing to listen to prayer today as when he was on earth—Worldly wisdomteaches that prayer is not essential. Men of science claim that there can be no realanswer to prayer; that this would be a violation of law, a miracle, and that miracleshave no existence. The universe, say they, is governed by fixed laws, and God Himselfdoes nothing contrary to these laws. Thus they represent God as bound by His ownlaws—as if the operation of divine laws could exclude divine freedom. Such teachingis opposed to the testimony of the Scriptures. Were not miracles wrought by Christand His apostles? The same compassionate Saviour lives today, and He is as willing tolisten to the prayer of faith as when He walked visibly among men.—(The GreatControversy, 525.)4
The prayer of faith expresses the simple wants of the soul—Prayer is not an expiationfor sin; it has no virtue or merit of itself. All the flowery words at our command arenot equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but idle words ifthey do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes froman earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed, as we would askan earthly friend for a favor, expecting it to be granted—this is the prayer of faith.God does not desire our ceremonial compliments, but the unspoken cry of the heartbroken and subdued with a sense of its sin and utter weakness finds its way to theFather of all mercy.—(Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 86, 87.)5
Prayer moves God to action—By your fervent prayers of faith you can move the armthat moves the world. You can teach your children to pray effectually as they kneel byyour side. Let your prayers arise to the throne of God, “Spare thy people, O Lord, andgive not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” God is at work.He doeth wonders, and although He is high and lifted up, prayer can reach His throne.He that is turning and overturning, He that can do marvelous things, will regard thecontrite prayer of faith from the humblest of His children.—(The Review and Herald,April 23, 1889.)6
God cannot answer prayers that are not asked—Prayer and faith will do what nopower on earth can accomplish. We are seldom, in all respects, placed in the sameposition twice. We continually have new scenes and new trials to pass through,where past experience cannot be a sufficient guide. We must have the continual lightthat comes from God. Christ is ever sending messages to those who listen for Hisvoice.It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which Hewould not bestow did we not thus ask.—(My Life Today, 15.)7
Ministers to be untiring in prayer—Ministers should seek a heart preparation beforeentering upon the work of helping others, for the people are far in advance of manyof the ministers. They should untiringly wrestle in prayer until the Lord blesses them.When the love of God is burning on the altar of their hearts, they will not preach toexhibit their own smartness, but to present Christ who taketh away the sins of theworld.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:166.)8
The remedy for discouragement is faith, prayer, and work—For all who aredisheartened there is but one remedy,—faith, prayer, and work.—(Testimonies for theChurch 6:438.)9
Prayer moves God to action—By your fervent prayers of faith you can move the arm that moves the world. You can teach your children to pray effectually as they kneel by your side. Let your prayers arise to the throne of God, "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:
