The Power
Of Prayer

Prayer is . . .?

`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.' (SC98)

"Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God." (GW254, 255)

"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. . . . There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest." (SC100)

`Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.' (SC93)

`Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of omnipotence.' (SC94,95)

`The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian, and will assuredly prevail against Satan. This is why he insinuates that we have no need of prayer.' (1T295/6)

In The Secret Place of Prayer

"`Pray to thy Father which is in secret." In the name of Jesus we may come into God's presence with the confidence of a child. No man is needed to act as a mediator. Through Jesus we may open our hearts to God as to one who knows and loves us.

`In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God's can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and longings to the Father of infinite pity, and in the hush and silence of the soul that voice which never fails to answer the cry of human need will speak to our hearts" (MB 84).

To Pray or Not To Pray

`The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path.' (SC94, 95)

`The reason why so many are left to themselves in places of temptation is that they do not set the Lord always before them. When we permit our communion with God to be broken, our defense is departed from us. Not all your good intentions will enable you to withstand evil. You must be men and women of prayer. Your petitions must not be faint, occasional, and fitful, but earnest, persevering, and constant.' (MH510)

The Power of Prayer

`The children of God are not left alone and defenseless. Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. Prayer has "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire.'' ' (COL172)

`The disciples had come to connect His hours of prayer with the power of His words and works.' (MB102/3)

`From the secret place of prayer came the power that shook the world in the Great Reformation. There, with holy calmness, the servants of the Lord set their feet upon the rock of His promises. During the struggle at Augsburg, Luther did not pass a day without devoting three hours at least to prayer, and they were hours selected from those the most favourable to study.' (GC210)

The Conditions

`There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon dry ground." Isaiah 44:3. (SC95)

`And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.' (Mark 11:25)

`There is another matter too often neglected by those who seek the Lord in prayer. Have you been honest with God? . . . Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.' (COL144)

`If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted.' (SC95)

`There are conditions to the fulfillment of God's promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty.' (COL143)

Prayer - Seemingly Unanswered

`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.' (3T209)

`God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon Him; for . . . we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us.' (2BC1035).

Preparation For Prayer

`The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love He has for us; for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him.' (MB104/5)

Posture in Prayer

`It is not always necessary to bow upon your knees in order to pray. 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.' (MH511)

How Often to Pray

`Daniel kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks to his God.' (Daniel 6:10)

`Have a set time, a special season for prayer at least three times a day. Morning, noon, and at night Daniel prayed to his God, notwithstanding the king's decree, and the fearful den of lions.' (LHU368)

Duration of Prayer

`All should feel it a Christian duty to pray short. Tell the Lord just what you want, without going all over the world. In private prayer all have the privilege of praying as long as they desire and of being as explicit as they please. Upon common occasions there should not be prayer of more than ten minutes duration.' (2T578)

Attitude in Prayer

"Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion. With earnest, fervent prayer, plead for purity of soul. Plead as earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were it at stake. Remain before God until unutterable longings are begotten within you for salvation, and the sweet evidence is obtained of pardoned sin." (1T163)

`We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your mercy.' (Daniel 9:18)

`What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.' (Mark 11:24)

`Prayer is not an expiation for sin; it has no virtue or merit of itself. All the flowery words at our command are not equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but idle words if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed, as we would ask an earthly friend a favor, expecting it to be granted - this is the prayer of faith. God does not desire our ceremonial complements, but the unspoken cry of the heart broken and subdued with a sense of its sin and utter weakness finds its way to the Father of all mercy.' (MB86)

`Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps. Let God plan for you. As a little child, trust to the guidance of Him who will "keep the feet of His saints." 1 Samuel 2:9. God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him.' (MH479) 

In His Name By His Inspiration

`We must not only pray in Christ's name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit ``maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.' Romans 8:26. (COL147)

Prayer For Others

`In rescuing souls from Satan's devices, far more will be accomplished by Christlike, humble prayer than by many words without prayer.' (CM81)

In Conclusion

`Whatever may be our situation, we have a guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, Christ does not leave us. His voice, clear and distinct, is heard saying, ``I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.'' ' (COL173)

Suggestion

Study and compare the Prayers of Daniel (Daniel 9) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9).

Be Encouraged

`Never is one repulsed who comes to Him with a contrite heart. Not one sincere prayer is lost. Amid the anthems of the celestial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being.

`We pour out our hearts desire in our closets, we breathe a prayer as we walk by the way, and our words reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. They may be inaudible to any human ear, but they cannot die away into silence, nor can they be lost through the activities of business that are going on. Nothing can drown the soul's desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the confusion of the multitude, to the heavenly courts. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.' (COL174)