General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

THE APPOINTED SEASON OF PRAYER

L. T. NICOLA

THE time appointed for a special season of prayer and of seeking God, has come; and I trust that all necessary preparations have been made so that we can lay aside our usual cares and work, and devote the time largely to meditation, self-examination, prayer, and reading the Scriptures. It would be well if we oftener retired thus for a short season. But, sad to say, many become so absorbed in the active duties of life that they neglect to pray and study the word of God and the testimonies of his Spirit. The result is that they become cold, and backslide. I would urge upon all to lay by their work as far as possible, and give these days of prayer to seeking the Lord. We know that we are sorely in need of God’s blessing; we know, too, that he stands ready to pour it out upon us in copious showers. O, shall we not seek him, then, with true contrition and deep humility of soul? GCB October 1, 1896, page 751.1

The present situation is one of thrilling interest. The evidences of the near completion of the work of the message and the coming of the Lord in glory, were never so many and so forcible as now. The very perils of the last time are here, and are rapidly increasing. As the Spirit of God is withdrawn from the earth, destruction of life and property is becoming more general. At times it seems as if the whole world is filled with consternation. Yet how soon these things are forgotten! How little they are taken to heart! O how sad that Satan should succeed so well in blinding men’s eyes, and in hardening their hearts against the operation of God’s Spirit! GCB October 1, 1896, page 751.2

In these momentous times the Lord has great blessings in store for his people if they will but seek him with all the heart. He has said, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine off-spring.” Isaiah 44:3. “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. “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:7, 8. O. A. O. GCB October 1, 1896, page 751.3