prayer

Bible Study Guides – Answers to Prayer

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January 17, 2004 – January 23, 2004

Memory Verse

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3.

Suggested Reading: The Desire of Ages, 356, 357; Gospel Workers, 112–114.

Introduction

“We have too little faith. We limit the Holy One of Israel. We should be grateful that God condescends to use any of us as His instruments. For every earnest prayer put up in faith for anything, answers will be returned. They may not come just as we have expected; but they will come—not perhaps as we have devised, but at the very time when we most need them. But, oh, how sinful is our unbelief!” Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, 215.

1 For what purpose were the experiences of Bible characters recorded? Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11.

note: “The repeated murmurings of the Israelites, and the visitations of God’s wrath because of their transgressions, are recorded in sacred history for the benefit of God’s people who should afterward live upon the earth, but more especially to prove a warning to those who should live near the close of time. Also their acts of devotion, their energy and liberality in bringing their free-will offerings to Moses are recorded for the benefit of the people of God. Their example in preparing material for the tabernacle so cheerfully is an example for all who truly love the worship of God.” The Story of Redemption, 152.

“Not alone for men in positions of large responsibility is the lesson of Elijah’s experience in learning anew how to trust God in the hour of trial.” Prophets and Kings, 175.

“Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and committed sin, even as we at the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. Their lives, with all their faults and follies, are open before us, both for our encouragement and warning.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 238.

“The errors, sins, and vile apostasies of some, who had been the consecrated and favored servants of God, are dwelt upon in Sacred History at length, as a warning to after generations.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, v. 2.

2 What assurance is given those who call upon the Lord in trouble? Psalms 50:15; 107:4–6.

note: “If the Hebrews had continued to obey God after they left Egypt, and had kept his righteous law, he would have gone before them and prospered them, and made them always a terror to the heathen nations around them. But they so often followed their own rebellious hearts, and departed from God, and went into idolatry, that he suffered them to be overcome by other nations, to humble and punish them. When in their affliction they cried unto God, he always heard them, and raised them up a ruler to deliver them from their enemies.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 66.

3 What can we learn from the prayers of Godly men? Nehemiah 1:4–11; Daniel 9:3–5.

note: “Nehemiah humbled himself before God, giving Him the glory due unto His name. Thus also did Daniel in Babylon. Let us study the prayers of these men. They teach us that we are to humble ourselves, but that we are never to obliterate the line of demarcation between God’s commandment-keeping people and those who have no respect for His law.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1136.

4 How did God open the way for Nehemiah’s work? Nehemiah 2:1–6.

note: “He [Nehemiah] had a sacred trust to fulfill, in which he required help from the king; and he realized that much depended upon his presenting the matter in such a way as to win his [the king’s] approval and enlist his aid. ‘I prayed,’ he said, ‘to the God of heaven.’ [Nehemiah 2:4.] In that brief prayer Nehemiah pressed into the presence of the King of kings and won to his side a power that can turn hearts as the rivers of waters are turned.” Prophets and Kings, 631.

“Nehemiah did not regard his duty as done when he had mourned and wept and prayed before the Lord. He did not only pray. He worked, mingling petition and endeavor.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 346.

5 For what did Elijah pray? Why did his prayer so effectively alter the course of nature? James 5:17, 18.

note: “Elijah’s prayer was answered. Oft-repeated appeals, remonstrances, and warnings had failed to bring Israel to repentance. The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments. Inasmuch as the worshipers of Baal claimed that the treasures of heaven, the dew and the rain, came not from Jehovah, but from the ruling forces of nature, and that it was through the creative energy of the sun that the earth was enriched and made to bring forth abundantly, the curse of God was to rest heavily upon the polluted land. The apostate tribes of Israel were to be shown the folly of trusting to the power of Baal for temporal blessings. Until they should turn to God with repentance, and acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing, there should fall upon the land neither dew nor rain.” Prophets and Kings, 119, 120.

6 During Elijah’s experience at Mount Carmel, why did not the rain come immediately after his first prayer? 1 Kings 18:17–45; Psalm 26:2.

note: “Important lessons are presented to us in the experience of Elijah. When upon Mount Carmel he offered the prayer for rain, his faith was tested, but he persevered in making known his request unto God. Six times he prayed earnestly, and yet there was no sign that his petition was granted, but with strong faith he urged his plea to the throne of grace. Had he given up in discouragement at the sixth time, his prayer would not have been answered, but he persevered till the answer came. We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we prove his word, he will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests interwoven with his interests, and then he can safely bless us; for we shall not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to God. God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon him; for should he do this, we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors he bestowed upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by us, any sin indulged, we would become careless, and fail to realize our dependence upon him, and our need of his help.” Review and Herald, June 9, 1891.

7 How important was prayer to the prophet Daniel? Daniel 6:4–10.

note: “Morning, noon, and at night Daniel prayed to his God, notwithstanding the king’s decree, and the fearful den of lions. He was not ashamed, or afraid to pray, but with his windows opened he prayed three times a day. Did God forget his faithful servant when he was cast into the lion’s den? O, No. He was with him there all night. He closed the mouths of these hungry lions, and they could not hurt the praying man of God.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 1, 1855.

8 What were Isaiah’s concerns when he was called by God, and how was he strengthened by communion with the Almighty? Isaiah 6:5–8.

note: “Never before had Isaiah realized so fully the greatness of Jehovah or His perfect holiness; and he felt that in his human frailty and unworthiness he must perish in that divine presence. . . . But a seraph came to him to fit him for his great mission. A living coal from the altar was laid upon his lips . . . and when the voice of God was heard saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Isaiah with holy confidence responded, ‘Here am I; send me.’ [Isaish 6:8.] . . .

“[Isaiah] had seen the King, the Lord of hosts; he had heard the song of the seraphim, ‘The whole earth is full of His glory’ [Isaiah 6:3]; and the prophet was nerved for the work before him. The memory of this vision was carried with him throughout his long and arduous mission.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 750, 751.

9 During the time Jonah was neglecting his duty to God, what serious warning must we heed from his experience? Jonah 1:1–12.

note: “The prayers of the man [Jonah] who had turned aside from the path of duty brought no help.” Prophets and Kings, 267.

10 What does Jonah’s experience teach of God’s delight in the prayers of the penitent? Jonah 2:1–10; 3:4–10.

note: “At last Jonah had learned that ‘salvation belongeth unto the Lord.’ Psalm 3:8. With penitence and a recognition of the saving grace of God, came deliverance. Jonah was released from the perils of the mighty deep and was cast upon the dry land.

“Once more the servant of God was commissioned to warn Nineveh. ‘The word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.’ [Jonah 3:1, 2.] This time he did not stop to question or doubt, but obeyed unhesitatingly.” Prophets and Kings, 269, 270.

11 What invitation does God extend to each of us? Jeremiah 33:3.

note: “Our prayers for conformity to the image of Christ may not be answered exactly as we desire. We may be tested and proved, for God sees it best to put us under a course of discipline which is essential for us before we are fit subjects for the blessing we crave. We should not become discouraged and give way to doubt, and think that our prayers are not noticed. We should rely more securely upon Christ and leave our case with God to answer our prayers in His own way. God has not promised to bestow His blessings through the channels we have marked out. God is too wise to err and too regardful of our good to allow us to choose for ourselves.” The Upward Look, 109.

12 Under all circumstances, what promise may the righteous claim? Psalm 34:17.

note: “Our God has heaven and earth at His command, and He knows just what we need. We can see only a little way before us; ‘but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.’ Hebrews 4:13. Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 272, 273.

These lessons are adapted from the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, California, April 1912.

Bible Study Guides – Prayer, Part II

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January 10, 2004 – January 16, 2004

Memory Verse

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6.

Suggested Reading: Christ’s Object Lessons, 150, 163; Steps to Christ, 93–104; The Ministry of Healing, 225–233.

Introduction

“It is when we come into difficult places that He [God] reveals His power and wisdom in answer to humble prayer. Have confidence in Him as a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God. He will reveal Himself to you as One who can help in every emergency. He who created man, who gave him his wonderful physical, mental, and spiritual faculties, will not withhold that which is necessary to sustain the life He has given. He who has given us His word—the leaves of the tree of life—will not withhold from us a knowledge of how to provide food for His needy children.” The Ministry of Healing, 199.

1 What prayer habit should we develop? 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Compare Psalm 16:8.

note: “Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.

“There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.” Steps to Christ, 98.

2 How does continual prayer for God’s leading affect our overall state of mind? Isaiah 26:3.

note: “Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest.” The Desire of Ages, 331.

3 What assurance has God given us concerning prayer? Jeremiah 29:12, 13.

note: “That prayer which comes forth from an earnest, believing heart is the effectual, fervent prayer that availeth much. God does not always answer our prayers as we expect, for we may not ask what would be for our highest good; but in His infinite love and wisdom He will give us those things which we most need.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 531.

4 What will hinder our prayers being answered? Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1–3; Proverbs 28:9.

note: “There are conditions to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. ‘If ye love Me,’ Christ says, ‘Keep My commandments.’ ‘He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.’ John 14:15, 21. Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Jehovah. They bring the name of Christ as their authority for the fulfillment of the promise, but they do not those things that would show faith in Christ and love for Him.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 143.

5 What encouragement is given us to pray in secret? Matthew 6:5, 6.

note: “The Lord speaks: enter into your closet, and in silence commune with your own heart; listen to the voice of truth and conscience. Nothing will give such clear views of self as secret prayer. He who seeth in secret and knoweth all things, will enlighten your understanding and answer your petitions. Plain, simple duties that must not be neglected will open before you. Make a covenant with God to yield yourselves and all your powers to his service.” Review and Herald, June 6, 1912.

“Prayer is not understood as it should be. Our prayers are not to inform God of something He does not know. The Lord is acquainted with the secrets of every soul. Our prayers need not be long and loud. God reads the hidden thoughts. We may pray in secret, and He who sees in secret will hear, and will reward us openly.” Messages to Young People, 247.

6 What exhortation is given to praise the Lord in the public congregation? Psalms 22:25; 35:18.

note: “In our devotional social meetings, our voices should express by prayer and praise our adoration of our heavenly Father, that all may know that we worship God in simplicity and truth, and in the beauty of holiness. Precious indeed in this world of sin and ignorance is the gift of speech, is the melody of the human voice, when devoted to the praises of Him who hath loved us, and hath given himself for us. . . . The voice of thanksgiving, praise, and rejoicing is heard in heaven. The voices of the children of God unite with the voices of the angels of heaven, as they ascribe honor and glory and praise unto God and to the Lamb for the great salvation he has provided.” Christian Education, 131.

7 With what should our requests to God be made known? Philippians 4:6.

note: “Calmly, yet fervently, the soul is to reach out after God; and sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who sees in secret, whose ear is open to the prayer arising from the heart. He who in simple faith holds communion with God will gather to himself divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain him in the conflict with Satan.

“If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God as we would talk with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet, joyful sense of the presence of Jesus.” The Faith I Live By, 225.

8 When we call upon the Lord in time of trouble, what has He promised to do? Psalms 50:14, 15; 107:6.

note: “[The Lord] invites us to present to Him our perplexities and necessities, and our need of divine help. He bids us be instant in prayer. As soon as difficulties arise, we are to offer to Him our sincere, earnest petitions. By our importunate prayers we give evidence of our strong confidence in God. The sense of our need leads us to pray earnestly, and our heavenly Father is moved by our supplications.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 172.

9 For whom should we pray? James 5:16; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2.

note: “To the one asking for prayer, let thoughts like these be presented, ‘We cannot read the heart, or know the secrets of your life. These are known only to yourself and to God. If you repent of your sins, it is your duty to make confession of them.’

“Sin of a private character is to be confessed to Christ, the only mediator between God and man. For ‘if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ [1 John 2:1.] Every sin is an offense against God, and is to be confessed to Him through Christ. Every open sin should be as openly confessed. Wrong done to a fellow-being should be made right with the one who has been offended. If any who are seeking health have been guilty of evil-speaking, if they have sowed discord in the home, the neighborhood, or the church, and have stirred up alienation and dissension, if by any wrong practice they have led others into sin, these things should be confessed before God and before those who have been offended. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ [1 John 1:9.]” Gospel Workers, 216, 217.

10 How are we encouraged to imitate the greatest Example of intercessory prayer? Luke 22:31, 32; John 17:20.

note: “The Son of God is Himself the great Intercessor in the sinner’s behalf. He who has paid the price for its redemption knows the worth of the human soul. With an antagonism to evil such as can exist only in a nature spotlessly pure, Christ manifested toward the sinner a love which infinite goodness alone could conceive. In the agonies of the crucifixion, Himself burdened with the awful weight of the sins of the whole world, He prayed for His revilers and murderers, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ Luke 23:34.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 140.

11 Why must we redouble our efforts in praying for others? Romans 13:10, 11.

note: “We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life. When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed. How often was the voice of intercession heard in the chamber, in the barn, in the orchard, or the grove. Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer, two or three together claiming the promise; often the sound of weeping was heard and then the voice of thanksgiving and the song of praise. Now the day of God is nearer than when we first believed, and we should be more earnest, more zealous, and fervent than in those early days. Our perils are greater now than then. Souls are more hardened. We need now to be imbued with the spirit of Christ, and we should not rest until we receive it.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 161, 162.

12 What prayers should be uttered today, and why? Psalm 119:126; Joel 2:17, 18.

note: “God has always wrought for His people in their greatest extremity, when there seemed the least hope that ruin could be averted. The designs of wicked men, the enemies of the church, are subject to His power and overruling providence. He can move upon the hearts of statesmen; the wrath of the turbulent and disaffected, the haters of God, His truth, and His people can be turned aside, even as the rivers of water are turned, if He orders it thus. Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep, the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith. He will restrain the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 452, 453.

These lessons are adapted from the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, California, April 1912.

Bible Study Guides – Prayer, Part I

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January 3, 2004 – January 9, 2004

Memory Verse

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same, with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2.

Suggested Reading: Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 102–122; Steps to Christ, 97–109.

Introduction

“There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God, and plead for divine guidance.

“We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand. We may commune with God in our hearts; we may walk in companionship with Christ. When engaged in our daily labor, we may breathe out our heart’s desire, inaudible to any human ear; but that word cannot die away into silence, nor can it be lost. Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.” My Life Today, 16.

1 What special instruction is given concerning prayer? Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

note: “There are three watchwords in the Christian life, which must be heeded if we would not have Satan steal a march upon us; namely, Watch, pray, work. Prayer and watching thereunto are necessary for advancement in the divine life. Never was there a time in your history more important than the present. Your only safety is to live like a watchman. Watch and pray always.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 283.

2 What degree of earnestness characterized the psalmist’s prayer? Psalms 42:1, 2; 84:2.

note: “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him. . . .

“There is need of prayer, earnest, fervent, agonizing prayer, such prayer as David offered . . . .” Gospel Workers, 257.

3 What descriptions are given of Jesus concerning prayer? Luke 9:28; 6:12; Matthew 14:23; 17:1; Mark 9:2.

note: “No other life was ever so crowded with labor and responsibility as was that of Jesus; yet how often He was found in prayer! How constant was His communion with God! Again and again in the history of His earthly life are found records such as these: ‘Rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.’ ‘Great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.’ Mark 1:35; Luke 5:15, 16.” The Desire of Ages, 362.

4 How was Jesus’ earnestness in prayer manifested? Hebrews 5:7.

note: “The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry, prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in prayer. His spirit was often sorrowful as He felt the powers of the darkness of this world, and He left the busy city and the noisy throng, to seek a retired place to make His intercessions. The Mount of Olives was the favorite resort of the Son of God for His devotions. . . . While the city was hushed in silence, and the disciples had returned to their homes to obtain refreshment in sleep, Jesus slept not. His divine pleadings were ascending to His Father from the Mount of Olives that His disciples might be kept from the evil influences which they would daily encounter in the world, and that His own soul might be strengthened and braced for the duties and trials of the coming day. All night, while His followers were sleeping, was their divine Teacher praying. The dew and frost of night fell upon His head bowed in prayer. His example is left for His followers.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 508.

5 What promises are given to those who pray? Matthew 21:22; Luke 11:9–13.

note: “Prayer is heaven’s ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, ‘Ye shall receive.’ ” The Acts of the Apostles, 564.

6 What did the Lord promise anciently to do for His people when they prayed to Him? 11 Chronicles 6:24, 25; 7:12–15.

note: “For stricken Israel there was but one remedy,—a turning away from the sins that had brought upon them the chastening hand of the Almighty, and a turning to the Lord with full purpose of heart.” Prophets and Kings, 128.

7 How only can victory be gained over the power of the enemy? Mark 9:29.

note: “The only way for such poor souls [those fascinated with spiritualism] to overcome Satan, is to discern between pure Bible truth and fables. As they acknowledge the claims of truth, they place themselves where they can be helped. . . . Satan will reinforce his evil angels who have controlled these persons; but if the saints of God with deep humility fast and pray, their prayers will prevail. Jesus will commission holy angels to resist Satan, and he will be driven back and his power broken from off the afflicted ones.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 343, 344.

8 As the Saviour was praying, what request did the disciples make? What relationship did He bid us recognize in prayer? Luke 11:1, 2, first part.

note: “Christ’s disciples were much impressed by His prayers and by His habit of communion with God. One day . . . as He ceased praying, they exclaimed, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’ [Luke 11:1.]

“In answer, Christ repeated the Lord’s prayer, as He had given it in the sermon on the mount.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 140.

“In order to strengthen our confidence in God, Christ teaches us to address Him by a new name, a name entwined with the dearest associations of the human heart. He gives us the privilege of calling the infinite God our Father.” Ibid., 141, 142.

9 For what are we to pray concerning the kingdom? What concerning God’s will? What daily dependence upon God are we to recognize? Luke 11:2, last part, 3.

note: “The disciples of Christ were looking for the immediate coming of the kingdom of His glory, but in giving them this prayer Jesus taught that the kingdom was not then to be established. They were to pray for its coming as an event yet future. But this petition was also an assurance to them. While they were not to behold the coming of the kingdom in their day, the fact that Jesus bade them pray for it is evidence that in God’s own time it will surely come.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 107, 108.

“The petition, ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’ [Luke 11:2], is a prayer that the reign of evil on this earth may be ended, that sin may be forever destroyed, and the kingdom of righteousness be established.” Ibid., 110.

“The first half of the prayer Jesus has taught us is in regard to the name and kingdom and will of God—that His name may be honored, His kingdom established, His will performed. When you have thus made God’s service your first interest, you may ask with confidence that your own needs may be supplied.” Ibid.

10 What request did Jesus teach us to make concerning our sins? To what extent are we to expect forgiveness? From what are we to be delivered? Luke 11:4. Compare Matthew 6:9–15.

note: “Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God only as we forgive others. It is the love of God that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating love for our brethren.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 113.

“Satan seeks to bring us into temptation, that the evil of our characters may be revealed before men and angels, that he may claim us as his own. . . .

“God in His great love is seeking to develop in us the precious graces of His Spirit. He permits us to encounter obstacles, persecution, and hardships, not as a curse, but as the greatest blessing of our lives. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience and advances us in the work of character building. The soul that through divine power resists temptation reveals to the world and to the heavenly universe the efficiency of the grace of Christ.” Ibid., 116, 117.

11 What were the followers of Jesus doing just before Pentecost? Acts 1:14.

note: “For ten days the disciples prayed before the Pentecostal blessing came. It required all that time to bring them to an understanding of what it meant to offer effectual prayer, drawing nearer and nearer to God, confessing their sins, humbling their hearts before God, and by faith beholding Jesus, and becoming changed into His image.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 170.

12 What admonition should we earnestly heed at this time? Colossians 4:2; Romans 12:12.

note: “Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. . . . Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.

“There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.” Steps to Christ, 97, 98.

These lessons are adapted from the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, California, April 1912.

Bible Study Guides – Prayer – Prayer as a Way of Life

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December 22 – 28, 2019

Key Text

“The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer” (Psalm 6:9).

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 115–126.

Introduction

“Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer.” The Ministry of Healing, 510, 511.

Sunday

CONTINUAL PRAYER

  • How can we maintain a devotional attitude throughout the day? 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Does this mean we do nothing but pray all day?

 Note: “The life must be like Christ’s life—between the mountain and the multitude. He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish.” Steps to Christ, 101.

  • Where does this work begin? Proverbs 23:7, first part; 2 Corinthians 10:5.

 Note: “Unless a determined effort is made to keep the thoughts centered on Christ, grace cannot reveal itself in the life. The mind must engage in the spiritual warfare. Every thought must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. All the habits must be brought under God’s control.” In Heavenly Places, 164.

Monday

POWERFUL PRAYERS

  • What is the subject of many of the Psalms, most of which were written by King David? Psalms 61:1; 69:13.
  • For what other purpose were the psalms intended? Psalms 144:9; 149:1.

 Note: “There are few means more effective for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song has wonderful power. It has power to subdue rude and uncultivated natures; power to quicken thought and to awaken sympathy, to promote harmony of action, and to banish the gloom and foreboding that destroy courage and weaken effort. …

“As a part of religious service, singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer. Indeed, many a song is prayer. If the child is taught to realize this, he will think more of the meaning of the words he sings and will be more susceptible to their power.” Education, 167, 168.

  • Tell of some powerful prayers made by other kings in the Old Testament. 1Kings 3:6–9; 2 Kings 19:15–19; 2 Chronicles 20:5–12. How can we incorporate the scriptures into our prayers?

 Note: “There is one blessing that all may have who seek for it in the right way. It is the Holy Spirit of God, and this is a blessing that brings all other blessings in its train. If we will come to God as little children, asking for His grace and power and salvation, not for our own uplifting, but that we may bring blessing to those around us, our petitions will not be denied. Then let us study the Word of God that we may know how to take hold of His promises and claim them as our own. Then we shall be happy.” In Heavenly Places, 113.

“It is the glory of God to give His virtue to His children. He desires to see men and women reaching the highest standard; and when by faith they lay hold of the power of Christ, when they plead His unfailing promises, and claim them as their own, when with an importunity that will not be denied they seek for the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be made complete in Him.” The Acts of the Apostles, 530.

Tuesday

MONUMENTS TO ANSWERED PRAYER

  • After God worked a great miracle to bring the Israelites through the Jordan River, what did He ask them to do? Joshua 4:1–9.

Note: “But before the priests had come up out of the river, that this wonderful miracle might never be forgotten, the Lord bade Joshua select men of note from each tribe to take up stones from the spot in the river bed where the priests had stood, and bear them upon their shoulders to Gilgal, and there erect a monument in remembrance of the fact that God had caused Israel to pass over Jordan upon dry land. This would be a continual reminder of the miracle that the Lord had wrought for them. As years passed on, their children would inquire concerning the monument, and again and again they would recount to them this wonderful history, till it would be indelibly impressed upon their minds to the latest generation.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 158.

  • What should we avoid focusing on in our life? Psalms 25:7; 79:8.

Note: “It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life—its iniquities and disappointments—to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God from his own soul and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others.” Steps to Christ, 117.

  • What should we contemplate instead? Psalm 105:5; Hebrews 12:2, 3.

Note: “Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving His Father’s throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne—these are the pictures which God would have us contemplate.” Steps to Christ, 118.

Wednesday

PRAYER WITH HOPE

  • What had been the experience of the disciples in prayer? John 16:24, first part.

 Note: “As yet the disciples were unacquainted with the Saviour’s unlimited resources and power. He said to them, ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name’ (John 16:24). He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. … Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection.” The Desire of Ages, 667.

  • How did Jesus encourage them to approach the Father in prayer? John 14:13, 14; 16:24, second part. For whom else are these promises?

 Note: “ ‘All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive’ (Matthew 21:22). These words are the pledge that all that an omnipotent Saviour can bestow will be given to those who trust in Him. As stewards of the grace of heaven, we are to ask in faith and then wait trustingly for the salvation of God. We are not to step in before Him, trying in our own strength to bring about that which we desire. In His name we are to ask, and then we are to act as if we believed in His efficiency.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 467.

“O, brethren and sisters, what we want is a living, striving, growing, faith in the promises of God, which are indeed for you and for me.” Pacific Union Recorder, December 26, 1912.

  • What part does hope play as we approach God in prayer? How should we come before Him? Romans 5:5; Hebrews 4:16.

Note: “There is nothing that can make the soul so strong to resist the temptations of Satan in the great conflict of life, as to seek God in humility, laying before Him your soul in all its helplessness, expecting that He will be your helper and your defender.” Sons and Daughters of God, 121.

Thursday

PRAYER AS THERAPY

  • What promises can we claim so that we may have strength in our conflict with the enemy? Isaiah 40:29; 41:10; Psalm 31:24.

Note: “He who serves under the bloodstained banner of Immanuel will have that to do which will call for heroic effort and patient endurance. But the soldier of the cross stands unshrinkingly in the forefront of the battle. As the enemy presses the attack against him, he turns to the stronghold for aid, and as he brings to the Lord the promises of the word, he is strengthened for the duties of the hour. He realizes his need of strength from above. The victories that he gains do not lead to self exaltation, but cause him to lean more and more heavily on the Mighty One. Relying upon that Power, he is enabled to present the message of salvation so forcibly that it vibrates in other minds.” The Acts of the Apostles, 362.

  • What other promises can we claim in prayer in order to give us courage in the battle with sin? Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 49:25; 1Corinthians 15:57.

 Note: “What a source to which we can look in all times of trouble; the heart can have no misgivings! Man is erring, stubborn, rebellious, and defiant even against God; but the Lord is kind and patient and of tender compassion. He has heaven and earth at His command, and He knows just what we need even before we present our necessities and desires before Him.” My Life Today, 10.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     Why don’t we need to withdraw from society and devote our entire lives to prayer?

2    How can we include God’s Word in our prayers? What will this do for us?

3    What can we learn from the Israelites’ use of monuments to remember God’s leading in their lives? How can we do the same?

4    How can we have victory against temptation?

5    Describe God’s power in helping us in our struggles.

 

©2018, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study Guides – Prayer – Learning to Pray

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December 15 – 21, 2019

Key Text

“O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works” (Psalm 71:17).

Study Help: Child Guidance, 517–526; Patriarchs and Prophets, 569–574.

Introduction

“In the church at home the children are to learn to pray and to trust in God. … Come in humility, with a heart full of tenderness, and with a sense of the temptations and dangers before yourselves and your children; by faith bind them to the altar, entreating for them the care of the Lord. Train the children to offer their simple words of prayer. Tell them that God delights to have them call upon Him.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 110.

Sunday

TIMOTHY LEARNS TO PRAY

  • Where and how did Timothy learn to pray? 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15.

 Note: “Timothy’s father was a Greek and his mother a Jewess. From a child he had known the Scriptures. The piety that he saw in his home life was sound and sensible. The faith of his mother and his grandmother in the sacred oracles was to him a constant reminder of the blessing in doing God’s will. The word of God was the rule by which these two godly women had guided Timothy. The spiritual power of the lessons that he had received from them kept him pure in speech and unsullied by the evil influences with which he was surrounded. Thus his home instructors had co-operated with God in preparing him to bear burdens.” The Acts of the Apostles, 203.

“Timothy’s mother and grandmother were united in their efforts to train him for God. What was his lesson book?—the Bible. Paul, his father in the gospel, declares, ‘From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures’ (2 Timothy 3:15).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 918.

Monday

SAMUEL LEARNS TO PRAY

  • Did Samuel as a young child know how to recognize God’s voice and identify answers to his own prayers? 1Samuel 3:7. Was this ignorance common in his day? Verse 1.

 Note: “Samuel was a child surrounded by the most corrupting influences. He saw and heard things that grieved his soul. The sons of Eli, who ministered in holy office, were controlled by Satan. … He [Samuel] did not fellowship, or have the least delight in, the sins which filled all Israel with fearful reports. Samuel loved God; he kept his soul in such close connection with heaven that an angel was sent to talk with him in reference to the sins of Eli’s sons, which were corrupting Israel.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 472, 473.

“Before receiving this message from God, ‘Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him’ (1 Samuel 3:7); that is, he was not acquainted with such direct manifestations of God’s presence as were granted to the prophets. It was the Lord’s purpose to reveal Himself in an unexpected manner, that Eli might hear of it through the surprise and inquiry of the youth.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 582.

  • How did Samuel confuse the voice of God with the voice of his earthly friend and mentor, Eli? What suggested to Eli that God was calling Samuel? 1Samuel 3:2–6, 8.

 Note: “Supposing the voice to be that of Eli, the child hastened to the bedside of the priest, saying, ‘Here am I; for thou calledst me.’ The answer was, ‘I called not, my son; lie down again’ (1 Samuel 3:5, 6). Three times Samuel was called, and thrice he responded in like manner. And then Eli was convinced that the mysterious call was the voice of God. The Lord had passed by His chosen servant, the man of hoary hairs, to commune with a child. This in itself was a bitter yet deserved rebuke to Eli and his house.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 581.

  • Did God talk to Samuel when the boy realized He was calling? What did He say? 1 Samuel 3:11.

 Tuesday

DAVID LEARNS TO PRAY

  • When David was a fugitive in his early life, running from an angry, mad king, what requests did he make, and how did God answer? 1 Samuel 23:1, 2, 4, 10–12.

Note: “Still hunted by the king, David found no place of rest or security. At Keilah his brave band saved the town from capture by the Philistines, but they were not safe, even among the people whom they had delivered. From Keilah they repaired to the wilderness of Ziph.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 660.

  • After David became king and fell into temptation, what prayer did he make to God? Psalm 51:1–4, 7.

Note: “After his great sin, in the anguish of remorse and self-abhorrence he still turned to God as his best friend.” Education, 165.

“The prayer of David after his fall, illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart.” Steps to Christ, 24, 25.

  • What did David plead for, and for what purpose? Psalm 51:12, 13.

Note: “God intended the history of David’s fall to serve as a warning that even those whom He has greatly blessed and favored are not to feel secure and neglect watchfulness and prayer. … thousands have thus been led to realize their own danger from the tempter’s power. The fall of David, one so greatly honored by the Lord, has awakened in them distrust of self. They have felt that God alone could keep them by His power through faith.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 724.

Wednesday

MANASSEH LEARNS TO PRAY

  • Who was Manasseh? Describe his character at the beginning of his reign. 2 Chronicles 32:33; 33:1–10.

 Note: “The kingdom of Judah, prosperous throughout the times of Hezekiah, was once more brought low during the long years of Manasseh’s wicked reign, when paganism was revived, and many of the people were led into idolatry. ‘Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen’ (2 Chronicles 33:9). The glorious light of former generations was followed by the darkness of superstition and error. Gross evils sprang up and flourished—tyranny, oppression, hatred of all that is good. Justice was perverted; violence prevailed.” Prophets and Kings, 381.

  • What experience did God bring upon this proud king to get his attention and to teach him to pray? 2Chronicles 33:11. What was the consequence of his waiting so long to pray?

 Note: “As an earnest of what would befall the people should they continue impenitent, the Lord permitted their king to be captured by a band of Assyrian soldiers, who ‘bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon’ (2 Chronicles 33:11, last part), their temporary capital. This affliction brought the king to his senses; ‘he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto Him: and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord He was God’ (2 Chronicles 33:12–13). But this repentance, remarkable though it was, came too late to save the kingdom from the corrupting influence of years of idolatrous practices. Many had stumbled and fallen, never again to rise.” Prophets and Kings, 383.

  • What was the result of Manasseh’s new-found prayer life? 2 Chronicles 33:12, 13, 15, 16. What was he known for at the time of his death? Verses 18, 19.

 Thursday

PAGANS LEARN TO PRAY

  • What led the pagan Naaman to accept the Creator as his God? 2Kings 5:1, 9–15.

 Note: “A slave, far from her home, this little maid was nevertheless one of God’s witnesses, unconsciously fulfilling the purpose for which God had chosen Israel as His people. As she ministered in that heathen home, her sympathies were aroused in behalf of her master. … She knew that the power of Heaven was with Elisha, and she believed that by this power Naaman could be healed.

“The conduct of the captive maid, the way that she bore herself in that heathen home, is a strong witness to the power of early home training.” Prophets and Kings, 244, 245.

  • What experience led the once pagan monarch, Nebuchadnezzar, to humbly trust in God? Daniel 4:28–36. What was his religious experience after his humiliation? Verses 2, 3, 37.

Note: “King Nebuchadnezzar, before whom Daniel so often honored the name of God, was finally thoroughly converted, and learned to ‘praise and extol and honour the King of heaven’ (Daniel 4:37).

“The king upon the Babylonian throne became a witness for God, giving his testimony, warm and eloquent, from a grateful heart that was partaking of the mercy and grace, the righteousness and peace, of the divine nature.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1170.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     How did Timothy’s mother and grandmother train him for God?

2    Why was it that God chose to communicate with the child Samuel?

3    What shows the sincerity of David’s prayer after his fall? Did David’s Friend fail him?

4    What does Manasseh’s prayer teach us about God?

5    How did God’s witnesses lead heathen rulers to pray to God?

Bible Study Guides – Prayer – Teach us to Pray

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December 8 – 14, 2019

Key Text

“And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).

Study Help: Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 102–122.

Introduction

“Christ’s disciples were much impressed by His prayers and by His habit of communion with God. One day after a short absence from their Lord, they found Him absorbed in supplication. Seeming unconscious of their presence, He continued praying aloud. The hearts of the disciples were deeply moved. As He ceased praying, they exclaimed, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ (Luke 11:1).” Christ’s Object Lessons, 140.

Sunday

LESSONS FROM THE LORD’S PRAYER

  • When the disciples heard the difference between the prayer of Christ and the formal prayers of their priests, what did they ask Jesus? What model prayer did the Lord give? Luke 11:1–4.
  • How does Jesus teach us to begin our prayers? To whom are we praying? Matthew 6:6, 9. What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

Note: “To pray in Christ’s name means much. It means that we are to accept His character, manifest His spirit, and work His works. The Saviour’s promise is given on condition. ‘If ye love Me,’ He says, ‘keep My commandments’ (John 14:15). He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him will show their love by obedience.” The Desire of Ages, 668.

“To pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.” Steps to Christ, 100, 101.

Monday

CONDITIONS FOR ANSWERED PRAYER

  • What are the conditions upon which God answers prayer? 1 John 3:22; Matthew 21:22.

 Note: “God’s promises are all made upon conditions. If we do His will, if we walk in truth, then we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. While we earnestly endeavor to be obedient, God will hear our petitions; but He will not bless us in disobedience. If we choose to disobey His commandments, we may cry, ‘Faith, faith, only have faith,’ and the response will come back from the sure Word of God, ‘Faith without works is dead’ (James 2:20). Such faith will only be as sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal. In order to have the benefits of God’s grace we must do our part; we must faithfully work and bring forth fruits meet for repentance.” Faith and Works, 47.

  • What is our duty toward those in need around us? Proverbs 3:27, 28. How does our behavior toward the needy reflect back upon us?

Note: “God demands that you open your hand wide to the needy, and have the tenderest compassion for those who are afflicted, or who are suffering from want. If you turn carelessly from their cry, the Lord will just as surely turn away from your prayer, and He will not hear you in your distress.” The Review and Herald, October 6, 1891.

  • How does God want us to cooperate with Him in helping others? 1 Corinthians 3:9.

 Note: “We are workers together with God. You are not to sit in indolence, waiting for some great occasion, in order to do a great work for the Master. You are not to neglect the duty that lies directly in your pathway, but you are to improve the little opportunities that open around you.” Faith and Works, 47.

“We should encourage [the afflicted ones] to try to help those more needy than themselves. The darkness will be dispelled from their own hearts as they try to help others. As we seek to comfort others with the comfort wherewith we are comforted, the blessing comes back to us.” The Ministry of Healing, 256.

Tuesday

APPROPRIATE POSTURES IN PRAYER

  • What biblical examples of kneeling down to pray demonstrate this position as being both a duty and privilege? 1Kings 8:54, 55; Ephesians 3:14.

 Note: “Both in public and private worship it is our duty to bow down upon our knees before God when we offer our petitions to Him. This act shows our dependence upon God.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 312.

“Jesus, our example, ‘kneeled down, and prayed’ (Luke 22:41). Of His disciples it is recorded that they, too, ‘kneeled down, and prayed’ (Acts 9:40). Paul declared, ‘I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Ephesians 3:14). In confessing before God the sins of Israel, Ezra knelt. (See Ezra 9:5.) Daniel ‘kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God’ (Daniel 6:10).” Prophets and Kings, 48.

  • What was the position of Elijah when he prayed for rain? 1 Kings 18:42. Who else prayed in a similar position, and why is this attitude not suitable for public worship? Matthew 26:39.

 Note: “Behold Him [Christ] contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry, ‘O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.’ Yet even now He adds, ‘Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt’ (Matthew 26:39).” The Desire of Ages, 687.

“How much is lost in family worship when the one offering prayer bows the face down, and speaks in a low, feeble voice, as though just recovering from a long sickness. … Prayer that is thus uttered is appropriate for the closet, but not suitable for public worship; for unless those assembled with them can hear what is said, they cannot say Amen.” Christian Education, 127.

  • What position did Jesus ask the multitude to take before He offered thanks for the forthcoming meal? John 6:10, 11.

Wednesday

PRAYING WITH A SUBMISSIVE SPIRIT

  • How can we show submission to God in our prayers? 1 John 5:14, 15.

 Note: “Jesus says, ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them’ (Mark 11:24). There is a condition to this promise—that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them. It is our privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame or remorse.” The Faith I Live By, 141. [Emphasis author’s.]

“Whatever path God chooses for us, whatever way He ordains for our feet, that is the only path of safety. We are daily to cherish a spirit of childlike submission, and pray that our eyes may be anointed with the heavenly eyesalve in order that we may discern the indications of the divine will, lest we become confused in our ideas, because our will seems to be all-controlling.” That I May Know Him, 249.

  • How did Mary demonstrate submission to God? Luke 1:38. How can we have this same attitude?
  • What goes hand in hand with true submission? James 1:6.

 Note: “As stewards of the grace of heaven, we are to ask in faith and then wait trustingly for the salvation of God. We are not to step in before Him, trying in our own strength to bring about that which we desire. In His name we are to ask, and then we are to act as if we believed in His efficiency.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 467.

“Our languid, half-hearted prayers will not bring us returns from heaven. Oh, we need to press our petitions! Ask in faith, wait in faith, receive in faith, rejoice in hope, for everyone that seeketh findeth. Be in earnest in the matter. Seek God with all the heart.” Our High Calling, 131.

“The fervent prayer of the righteous is never lost. The answer may not come according as we expected, but it will come, because God’s word is pledged.” Ibid., 134.

Thursday

WHEN TO PRAY

  • What times during the day should we pray? Psalm 55:17.
  •  Should we limit our prayers to these times? 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

 Note: “There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. … In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes.” Steps to Christ, 99.

“We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand.

“We may commune with God in our hearts; we may walk in companionship with Christ. When engaged in our daily labor, we may breathe out our heart’s desire, inaudible to any human ear; but that word cannot die away into silence, nor can it be lost. Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.” Gospel Workers, 258.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     How are we to live if we pray in Jesus’ name?

2    When does God answer prayer?

3    Why should we bow upon our knees in our regular public and private prayers?

4    How can we pray with a submissive spirit? What answer will we be willing to accept?

5    How can we pray to God as we go about our duties of the day?

Bible Study Guides – Prayer – Praying for the Holy Spirit

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December 1 – 7, 2019

Key Text

“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field” (Zechariah 10:1).

Study Help: Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 506–512.

Introduction

“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today. Moral darkness, like a funeral pall, covers the earth. All manner of false doctrines, heresies, and satanic deceptions are misleading the minds of men. Without the Spirit and power of God it will be in vain that we labor to present the truth.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 158.

Sunday

THE PROMISED POWER

  • What power is promised to us if we commit ourselves fully to God? Acts 1:5, 8. For what purpose is this power promised? Luke 6:38, first part.

 Note: “It is not because of any restriction on God’s part that the riches of His grace do not flow to men. His gift is godlike. He gave with a liberality that men do not appreciate because they do not love to receive. If all were willing to receive, all would be filled with the Spirit. … We are too easily satisfied with a ripple on the surface, when it is our privilege to expect the deep moving of the Spirit of God.

“With the reception of this gift, all other gifts would be ours; for we are to have this gift according to the plentitude of the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive. Then let us not be satisfied with only a little of this blessing, only that amount which will keep us from the slumber of death, but let us diligently seek for the abundance of the grace of God.” My Life Today, 57.

“That which we receive from Christ we must give to others. … None who receive the grace of Christ can keep it to themselves.” Medical Ministry, 334.

Monday

PREPARING TO RECEIVE THE POWER

  • How were the disciples to receive the promised blessing? Luke 24:49.

Note: “In obedience to Christ’s command, they waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father—the outpouring of the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness. The record says that they were ‘continually in the temple, praising and blessing God’ (Luke 24:53). They also met together to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus.” The Acts of the Apostles, 35.

“When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. God cannot pour out His Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest; when a spirit prevails that, if put into words, would express that answer of Cain—‘Am I my brother’s keeper’ (Genesis 4:9, last part)?” My Life Today, 59.

  • What was the condition of the disciples before they received this power? Acts 2:1.

Note: “The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. …

“These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls.” The Acts of the Apostles, 37.

  • What do each of us need to do to prepare to receive this power? Acts 3:19.

Note: “Let there be a work of reformation and repentance. Let all seek for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As with the disciples after the ascension of Christ, it may require several days of earnestly seeking God and putting away of sin.” My Life Today, 58.

Tuesday

RECEIVING THE POWER

  • What was the experience of the disciples as they received the power of the Holy Spirit? Acts 2:2–4. How will this experience compare to the experience of God’s church in the last days?

Note: “The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the ‘former rain,’ and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant.” My Life Today, 60.

  • What did they do with the power they received? Acts 4:33.

Note: “The disciples … were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of the power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day.

“So may it be now. Instead of man’s speculations, let the Word of God be preached. Let Christians put away their dissensions and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the blessing, and it will come.

“Zeal for God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a determination to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ, and Him crucified?” My Life Today, 61.

  • What is the condition upon which we receive this power? Joel 2:15–17.

Note: “Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace will have power proportionate to their daily need and their ability to use that power. Instead of looking forward to some future time when, through a special endowment of spiritual power, they will receive a miraculous fitting up for soul winning, they are yielding themselves daily to God, that He may make them vessels meet for His use. Daily they are improving the opportunities for service that lie within their reach. Daily they are witnessing for the Master wherever they may be, whether in some humble sphere of labor in the home or in a public field of usefulness.” My Life Today, 60.

Wednesday

A PROMISE FOR US TODAY

  • What promise is given to us today regarding the special power of the Holy Spirit? Joel 2:23.

Note: “It is true that in the time of the end, when God’s work in the earth is closing, the earnest efforts put forth by consecrated believers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit are to be accompanied by special tokens of divine favor. Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church.

“But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest ‘in the time of the latter rain.’ In response, ‘the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.’ ‘He will cause to come down … the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain’ (Zechariah 10:1; Joel 2:23).” The Acts of the Apostles, 54, 55.

  • What work has been prophesied by John? Revelation 18:1. How can we have a part in the work of the fourth angel today?

Note: “The Spirit of God is moving upon men’s hearts, and those who respond to its influence will become lights in the world. Everywhere they are seen going forth to communicate to others the light they have received as they did after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And as they let their light shine, they receive more and more of the Spirit’s power. The earth is lighted with the glory of God. …

“Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence.” My Life Today, 63.

Thursday

PRAYING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

  • In view of the times in which we live, what is God’s desire for us today? Zechariah 10:1.

Note: “The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. …

“There must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience. …

“Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 506, 507.

“Let us, with contrite hearts, pray most earnestly that now, in the time of the latter rain, the showers of grace may fall upon us. At every meeting we attend our prayers should ascend, that at this very time God will impart warmth and moisture to our souls. As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain. If we pray for the blessing in faith, we shall receive it as God has promised.” Ibid., 509.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     Why do we need the power of the Holy Spirit even more than the disciples did?

2    What can we learn from the disciples’ experience in preparing for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?

3    Instead of looking to a future time when, through a special gift of spiritual power, we will be miraculously fitted up for soul winning, what can we do today?

4    How do we become lights in the world? What happens as we let our light shine?

5    What is the work of the former rain? How does it relate to the latter rain?

Children’s Story – How Much Does a Prayer Weigh?

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Louise Redden, a poorly-dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work; they had seven children, and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store.

Thinking of the needs of her family, Mrs. Redden pleaded, “Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.”

Mr. Longhouse told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told Mr. Longhouse that he would stand good for whatever Mrs. Redden needed for her family.

Reluctantly, Mr. Longhouse, in a gruff voice, asked, “Do you have a grocery list?”

“Yes, sir,” Mrs. Redden quickly responded.

“Okay,” he said, “put your grocery list on the scales, and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.”

Mrs. Redden hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse, took out a piece of paper and pencil, and scribbled something on the paper. She then carefully laid the piece of paper on the scale with her head still bowed. Mr. Longhouse and the customer stared in speechless amazement as the scales went down and stayed down.

Still staring at the scales, the grocer man turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, “I can’t believe it.” The customer smiled, and the grocer man started putting groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance, so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer man stood there in utter disgust.

Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list; it was a written prayer, which said: “Dear Lord, you know my needs, and I am leaving this in Your hands.”

Mr. Longhouse bagged the groceries he had gathered and placed on the scales and gave the overflowing bags to Mrs. Redden. As he stood in stunned silence, Mrs. Redden thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to Mr. Longhouse, as he said, “It was worth every penny of it.”

It was sometime later that Mr. Longhouse discovered the scales were unexplainably broken. Only God knows how much a prayer weighs!

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].” Mark 11:23, 24.

The Intercession Connection

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Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23, 24.

Do we really understand the meaning of what Jesus is communicating to us in these texts? He says, “Ask the Father in my name.” By faith, we must grasp His intercession as the connection to our Father. By faith, we must comprehend His pleading for us, because it is through His name that we have access to God—just as in the Old Covenant the people said, “Moses, you talk to God and you talk to us, but do not allow us to talk to Him directly. We will die.” (Exodus 20:19.) We could not approach the Father, we could not come to the throne, without Jesus’ intercession and without going through the name of our Saviour. We are not just to say His name as a mindless repetition—“In Jesus’ name.” As we pray, we are to realize that Jesus, at that very moment, is pleading on our behalf, and it is through His pleading, through His name, that we can come to God.

Prayers as Sweet Incense

In Revelation 8:3, 4, we read: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” By faith, we must see our prayers ascending to our Father, made fragrant by the righteousness of our Saviour. Without Jesus’ righteousness, without His intercession, our prayers could not even ascend to the Father. Jesus is our connection, the connecting link between God and man.

Ellen White wrote, “The incense, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 353. Christ’s perfect righteousness alone can make our worship acceptable.

Intercession of the Son

The story is told of a son, who, while serving in the Civil War, had sent a letter to his father. He explained that he had been found sleeping at his post of duty. He explained in the letter as to why it had happened—he had fulfilled his hours of duty and then had taken another comrade’s shift. As a result of serving a double shift, he had fallen asleep at his post, and the sentence was death. The father received the letter a day or two before the execution day. To save his son, he boarded a train to Washington, D.C., arriving there the very morning that his son was to be executed.

Hurriedly, he made his way to the White House. (At that time, there was no fence or security surrounding the White House.) Rushing to the front door of that majestic building, he approached a guard and said, “I must see the President. It is an emergency.”

The guard asked, “Do you have an appointment?”

“No,” the father responded.

“Then I cannot let you in,” replied the guard.

Although the father pled and pled at the door, there was no admission. Finally, he staggered out onto the lawn, and slumping beneath a tree, cried. Seeing the President was his only hope. As he sat there, a little boy came up to him and said, “Mister, what is wrong?”

Through his tears, he told the boy his story. When he had finished, the boy said, “Come on.”

The father hesitated, saying, “You cannot do anything. You are just a boy. You cannot let me in.” But the boy insisted.

When the father and the boy came up to the guard, the boy said, “This man wants to see the President.”

The guard replied, “He cannot. He does not have an appointment.”

The young lad began to cry, “Father, father.” Soon President [Abraham] Lincoln appeared at the door.

“Tad,” the President asked, “what do you need?” The father’s son was saved, through the intercession of the son of the President.

Intercession of Praise

As we think about that story in relation to Jesus’ ministry, it is through His intercession that we are connected to the throne of God. Through His intercession, we can even praise the Lord.

Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to his name.” Notice this verse says, “Therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.” How is the sacrifice of praise to God offered continually? The first two words of the verse give us the answer—“By him.” We cannot even acceptably offer the sacrifice of praise except through Jesus.

Just as the Israelites could not offer thank offerings in the Old Covenant without the intercession of the priests, we cannot offer praise offerings without the intercession of Christ. His intercession makes our prayers and our praise acceptable. Just as the priests gave guidance in the Old Covenant, so Jesus gives guidance in His intercession.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. Our sins cannot be forgiven without the intercession of our Saviour. The Bible says, in Isaiah 53:12, that He “made intercession for the transgressors”—not just intercession for the righteous but intercession for the transgressors as well. Just as, in the Old Covenant, the priest had to officiate in the offering of the lamb, so the intercession of Christ is essential in saving us from sin.

Redeeming Blood

Jesus’ intercession is as necessary to us as is His redeeming blood. Both are essential to the plan of salvation. Notice Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.” How do we explain that? Through the intercession of our Saviour. Without Christ’s intercession, our faith is vain, and we are yet in our sins. Do not let anyone say that salvation was completed on the cross. Do not let anyone say that that was all there was to the plan of salvation.

We are not trying to lessen the importance of the cross, but simply showing that Jesus’ work right now is equally as essential as was His death upon the cross. If He is not interceding today, our faith is vain. If He is not interceding today, we are still in our sins. Our sins could never be forgiven without Christ’s intercession, because we could not approach the Father without Christ’s intercession. We could not repent and confess without Christ’s intercession. Christ’s intercession, as was the priest’s in the Old Covenant, is essential, but there is more to Christ’s intercession.

Most Holy Place

All of what we have looked at has referred to Christ’s administration in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. There is more to His administration in the second apartment as well. In the ministration of the priest in the Most Holy Place, the blood was taken into the Most Holy Place, and we are told that it was sprinkled before and upon the Mercy Seat. (See Leviticus 16.) Once each year, that actually happened twice. One time, Aaron entered the Most Holy Place with the blood of a bullock for his sins. The next time, he entered in with the blood of a goat for the sins of the congregation. The focus was the sprinkling of the blood upon and before the Mercy Seat. That was not all. There were, of course, the scapegoat that was sent away, and then, at the very end, the burnt offerings of one ram for the congregation and one ram for Aaron. But let us look further at the importance of the sprinkling of the blood.

In the New Testament, we read, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” 1 Peter 1:2. Notice with what the sprinkling of the blood is associated—“the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood . . . .” The sprinkling of the blood was representing, according to this verse, the necessity of complete, full sanctification and obedience.

Refiner and Purifier

In another passage, we read, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:1–3.

Verse 1 sets the stage and gives us the time frame to which these texts refer. It tells us about the Lord coming to His temple. It refers to 1844, when Jesus entered the Most Holy Place. “The coming of the Lord to His temple was sudden, unexpected, to His people. They wew not looking for Him there.” The Great Controversy, 424. It says His work there, in the Most Holy Place, is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap and that He sits as a refiner and a purifier to purify and to purge. In the Most Holy Place, Christ is administrating His blood to purge away our sins. “Thise who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.” Ibid., 425.

It tells us also, in verse 1, that this is to prepare the way before the Lord. This is the final step of preparation for the Second Coming—the sprinkling of the blood, the sanctification of the Spirit, the obedience, the final purifying from the stain of sin. It is the final purifying from selfishness, from pride, from covetousness, that we might be that vessel unto honor.

Filthy Garments Removed

The sprinkling of the blood is essential for the time when there is no more intercession for us. Zechariah 3:3–5 describes the process that takes place on the Day of Atonement as the blood is sprinkled. It says, “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.”

The picture here depicted is of the filthy garments being removed. “When Satan seeks to cover the people of God with blackness, and ruin them, Christ interposes. Although they have sinned, Christ has taken the guilt of their sins upon His own soul…By His human nature He is linked with man, while through His divine nature He is one with the infinite God. Help is brought within the reach of perishing souls. The adversary is rebuked.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 169.

“All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.” The Great Controversy, 483.

Pardon is possible through Jesus’ death and His intercession—His work of sprinkling the blood in the Most Holy Place. As we think about that work that has been going on for 160 years, we know that very soon it is going to conclude. Very soon the sins of those that have been repentant and have looked by faith to the intercession of Jesus are going to be blotted out. As we think of Jesus lingering over our names, is the blood being sprinkled on our lives? Are we experiencing that complete sanctification, that complete refiner’s fire, to purge not only the open sins but to purge the motives, to purge the feelings so we might be prepared to stand when there is no intercessor? We must want to choose to allow the Lord to burn the fire as hot as it takes, that our lives might be cleansed and prepared for the coming of the Lord, that our sins might be blotted out forever from remembrance. It is a daily acceptance of His intercession and ministration, not just in the Holy Place but also in the Most Holy Place. I pray that daily we each make that choice.

Cody Francis is currently engaged in public evangelism for Mission Projects International. He also pastors the Remnant Church of Seventh-day Adventist Believers in Renton, Washington. He may be contacted by e-mail at: cody@missionspro.org.

Surrender, Part II

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When we are only committed to the cause, we are still in charge, for the most part, but we can still rebel. When we are surrendered, we cannot be rebels. When we surrender, we give up our authority, and we come under the authority of Another.

So, why do we not surrender? Fear could be one reason, but another reason is that we just plain do not know how. Commitment without surrender is what most people have been trying to do for the last 6,000 years, and this is why we are still here. It does not work any better now than it did the first time it was tried. It is insane to keep trying it, but we do just the same, perhaps because we do not know anything else to do. God, however, wants us to know another way—the only way that works.

The only way that works is so simple that we often miss the real meaning. It just does not sink in, but we cannot afford to miss it. Before we study it, though, we need to first consider how the mind works in the area of temptation.

The Bible presents, a number of times, the battle between the flesh and the spirit. Through the Spirit of Prophecy, we are told a lot about the higher powers and the lower powers of the mind. Think of your brain as being divided into sections.

Higher Powers

The higher powers are located where science calls the frontal lobe of the brain. That is where the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Romans 8:16 talks about how the Holy Spirit testifies to our spirits: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” This is referring to the frontal lobe of the brain where, Ellen White states, rests the higher powers. The Bible would call it the spirit. The higher powers contain the intellect, the reason, and the conscience.

The higher powers take in information and store it in the intellect. Then the reason takes that information and cogitates from cause to effect, based on your intellect or what you know. If you do such and such, what will or will not happen; if you do not do such and such, what will or will not happen?

You know what the conscience does. If you do not think or act according to reason and intellect, your conscience makes you feel bad. It is a warning signal. It makes you feel guilty. It pricks you.

Lower Powers

The lower powers would originate in the lower part of the brain, in what could be called the animal instinct part of the brain. It tells your heart to beat and your lungs to breathe without your thinking about those things. The lower powers are what the Bible calls the flesh.

The flesh contains the appetite, the passions, and the desires. God placed these things in you. In and of themselves they are not bad, but they are to be kept under the control of the higher powers. When Adam and Eve fell, the lower powers began to reign over the higher powers, and they have been in control ever since.

The appetite says, If it tastes good, eat it. The passions say, If it feels good, do it. Desire says, If you want it, get it. Satan knows how to work this system. Every temptation he sends to you enters through that channel—either through appetite, passion, or desire.

Galatians 5:16, 17 says, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” It does not say that you will not have the lust of the flesh; it says that you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. It is not a sin to be tempted, but it is a sin to yield to the temptation. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

The Will

These two things are contrary to each other, so when temptation enters, the flesh votes one way and the spirit votes the other. They never agree, because they are contrary one to another. In order for temptation to pass, then, we need to have a third representative—the will. The will is the governing power in the nature of man.

I heard Stephen Vincent Wallace, several years ago, explain it this way: “This is the land of Me, and in the land of Me, the capital city is Mind. In the capital city of Mind is the House of Representatives, and there are three that sit in that House of Representatives. There is a representative from the kingdom of darkness (that would be the flesh). There is a representative from the Kingdom of Light (that would be the Spirit). Then there is our representative, the will.” For anything to pass, you must have a two-thirds majority, so the will decides if you are going to listen to the higher powers or whether you are going to listen to the lower powers. That is what makes the final decision.

This is why God gave us the health message and why the health message is so important. It is not just so we can be healthy, but it is to keep the frontal lobe of the brain clear. Things like drugs, alcohol, rock music, television, caffeine, and nicotine tend to numb the frontal lobe. When the frontal lobe is numb and it is supposed to be putting out an argument for righteousness, what kind of argument is it going to give? Not a very good one! The will may then listen to the lower powers.

The Will’s Authority

There are other verses in the Bible that speak of this, such as Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Romans 13:14 says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].”

We are not to make any provision for it, so unless your will is surrendered to Christ and is under the authority of God, it is not going to have authority over the lower powers. This is why it is so important to surrender the will.

You need to understand that this is not talking about willpower. That is what the world uses, and most of God’s people have tried using their willpower for the last 6,000 years, and it has not worked. It might work with sins that are not that appealing to you, but if you encounter sins that really appeal to you, ones known as besetting sins, then you really do not have any willpower. Willpower is not what is meant, but the right exercise of the will. We need to surrender our wills to God.

In Luke 17:20, 21, some people talked to Christ about the location of the kingdom of God. He told them, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” In Part I of this study, the word kingdom was identified as coming from two words, king and dominion. Dominion is where one king has complete and total control and authority. Your heart is to be that place, that dominion, on this earth for God. Your heart is to be like a branch office of the kingdom in heaven. In the kingdom of heaven, one King has complete and total control and authority, and He is to have that same dominion in our hearts.

When you pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6) and repeat the words, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” do you ever stop and think about what you are asking? You are asking that God’s kingdom come; His will be done here, on earth, in you, as it is in heaven.

It is of the utmost importance that you learn to surrender your will to God. You need to stop using the old willpower, grit your teeth, struggle and strain method, and start using the surrender method. When you do this, you will find that exercising your will with the higher powers of your brain will not be nearly as difficult. This does not mean you will have smooth sailing, but it will be a whole lot easier than the other willpower method.

You can read about the willpower method and how it works in Romans 7. That is the method of which Paul is speaking in this passage. You can just feel the frustration as he is describing it, because it does not work.

Born to Win

Christ had to deal with this problem too. He had a fallen nature with which to contend. (See The Desire of Ages, 112.) I personally believe that He was born with the equivalent of a born-again nature, and that is how He could win. This is the same nature we can have, and this is why we can win too.

When you are born again, you are born to win. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.” 1 John 5:4. Like Christ, you can have victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil, but to have it, it is essential that you learn to surrender everything to God, just as Christ did. You must learn to yield your will. If you do not, you are either going to get discouraged and give up or you are going to stay committed but not submitted and end up in the foolish virgin camp (Matthew 25:1–13) or the Matthew 7:21–23 camp: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Or you may end up in the 1 Corinthians 13:3 camp: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

Reprobate

If you are not careful, you will learn to ignore the Holy Spirit’s promptings and pleadings. Romans 1:28 tells us that God gives such people over to a reprobate mind. “And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

The dictionary definition of a reprobate is “a thoroughly bad person.” I made up my own definition of a reprobate mind. You most likely will not find this in one of the more scholarly, theological resources, but it works for me, and I hope it helps you. To me, a reprobate mind means, “to have the brain in your head upside down.” In other words, letting the lower powers control the higher powers. So when God gives you up to a reprobate mind, He leaves you to being controlled by those lower powers. They will never be under the control of the higher powers. Your will will never be surrendered.

The best example of surrender and dependence, of course, is Christ. Just in the Book of John there are at least 30 verses where He says that everything He had and everything He did was totally surrendered to His Father. His will, His work, His words, His doctrine, His mission, and His decisions all came from the Father. They were all surrendered. Christ did nothing of Himself. “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30. How could He do that? Was it because He was committed only? It was because He was totally dependent and surrendered to the Father. When you are willing to be to Jesus what Jesus was to the Father, then Jesus will be to you what the Father was to Him.

Like Jesus

Philippians 2:5–11 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In other words, have the same attitude Jesus had. He made Himself of no reputation; He emptied Himself; He laid down His privileges; He took the form of a servant; He humbled Himself. You and I are to have the same attitude.

Verses 10 and 11 tell us that everyone in the whole universe, fallen and unfallen, will bow down and “confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” They will confess Jesus’ lordship and His right to reign, His sovereign authority, and His right to have sovereign authority. The whole universe, fallen and unfallen, is going to acknowledge this.

Prayer Life

How did Jesus keep His will surrendered to the Father? Oh, the secret seems to be in His prayer life. He spent time every day, before He did anything else, surrendering His will to the Father. Sometimes He spent all night in prayer. The best example of this is the night He spent in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42.) Three times He had to yield His will to the Father. It was a struggle, even to the point of sweating blood. Nevertheless, He was able to do it, and you can follow His example.

Impossible on Your Own

The following statements are some of the clearest on the surrender of the will and of the heart. I hope they will be helpful to you.

“It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. ‘Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.’ ‘The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.’ Job 14:4; Romans 8:7.” Steps to Christ, 18.

What an interesting statement! This is the part where I think a lot of people get confused and why they use that old method of willpower, which has been tried for 6,000 years. The next statement explains it. It says, “Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.” Ibid.

“The Saviour said, ‘Except a man be born from above,’ unless he shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, and motives, leading to a new life, ‘he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ John 3:3, margin.” Ibid.

The word see means to “perceive with understanding experientially.” You know, when you have your own little kingdom going where you call your own shots and do your own thing, where you are in total and complete control and authority, you not only cannot see the kingdom of God, but you do not even want to know about it.

Ellen White continues, “The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that exists in man by nature, is a fatal deception. . . .

“It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, ‘I consent unto the law that it is good.’ ‘The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.’ But he added, in the bitterness of his soul-anguish and despair, ‘I am carnal, sold under sin.’ Romans 7:16, 12, 14. He [Paul] longed for the purity, the righteousness, to which in himself he was powerless to attain, and cried out, ‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?’ Romans 7:24, margin. Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages.” Ibid., 18, 19.

Have you ever longed for that for which Paul longed—that purity and righteousness? Have you figured out yet, as he did, that you are powerless to obtain it? The only way to receive it is to surrender your will to God. The quicker you figure it out, the better off you will be. “To all, there is but one answer, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ John 1:29.” Ibid., 19.

To be continued . . .

Steve Currey is a Bible worker for Steps to Life. He may be contacted by e-mail at: stevecurrey@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.