Communion With God

Chapter 5—What to Pray for

BIBLE GEM

“We can approach God with confidence for this reason: if we make requests which accord with His will He listens to us; and if we know that our requests are heard, we know also that the things we asked for are ours.”—1 John 5:14, NEB CWG 19.1

QUESTION

What are some of the things I should ask for with the assurance that I shall receive them? CWG 19.2

ANSWER

Ask for anything He has promised: “Every promise in the Word of God furnishes us with subject matter for prayer, presenting the pledged word of Jehovah as our assurance. Whatever spiritual blessing we need, it is our privilege to claim through Jesus.... We may state to Him our temporal matters, asking Him for bread and raiment as well as for the bread of life and the robe of Christ's righteousness. Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things, and you are invited to ask Him concerning them.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 133 CWG 19.3

For our own necessities: “Every soul has the privilege of stating to the Lord his own special necessities and to offer his individual thanksgiving for the blessings that he daily receives.”—Testimonies For The Church 9:278, 279 CWG 19.4

For the cause of God: “The varied interests of the cause furnish us with food for reflection and inspiration for our prayers.”—Testimonies For The Church 4:459 CWG 19.5

For the Holy Spirit: “There is now need of much prayer.... The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for His blessing. It is time we were more intense in our devotion.... The Lord expects us to ask Him.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 511, 512 CWG 19.6

For power and wisdom: “As you ask the Lord to help you, honor your Saviour by believing that you do receive His blessing. All power, all wisdom, are at our command. We have only to ask.”—The Ministry of Healing, 514 CWG 20.1

“We must seek wisdom from on high that we may stand in this day of error and delusion.”—Early Writings, 87, 88 CWG 20.2

For an understanding of God's Word: “No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer. Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His Word. Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be successfully resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble.”—The Great Controversy, 530 CWG 20.3

For an understanding of these times: “Pray most earnestly for an understanding of the times in which we live, for a fuller conception of His purpose, and for increased efficiency in soul-saving.” Selected Messages 2:400 CWG 20.4

For perfection: “The Lord loves to see His work done as perfectly as possible.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 1:1108 CWG 20.5

“Let the workmen in the service of God today pray to Him for wisdom and keen foresight that they may do their work perfectly.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 1:1108 CWG 20.6

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

Let not anybody who only half believes God's promises expect to receive anything of the Lord. Every precious promise is a pledge by God. Let us honor Him by believing His Word. If's, but's, perhaps's, or maybe's cannot be answered. Only positive faith will unlock the treasure house of heaven. Let us ask anything God has promised with confidence during our intense devotional prayer time, and God will give us His Holy Spirit; and when He comes, we will have His wisdom, discernment, efficiency and overcoming power. He is our present and instant help in every time of need. CWG 20.7