Earnest prayer avails much

«The simple prayers indited by the Holy Spirit will ascend through the gates ajar, the open door which Christ has declared: I have opened and no man can shut»




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When God finally answers that prayer. After watching this video, I remembered the tears of my mom when she finally saw my little brother and me after 4 years apart from each other. I can only imagine her persistent prayers and her tears every night while she was waiting for that day to come. 

«Our prayers are to be earnest and persistent—God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks.»

The other day I was thinking about people who pray for me and I don't know why but I thought about my grandparents that are resting in peace. I thought about their prayers as they watched their children and grand children growing. All those prayers that I ignored during family devotions just because I was too bored or too young. Unfortunately, Those times are long gone but  I am deeply grateful for them. 

Ask for humility, wisdom, courage, increase of faith. To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it will come in the way and at the time that will best meet your need. The prayers you offer in loneliness, in weariness, in trial, God answers, not always according to your expectations, but always for your good.—(Gospel Workers, 258.) Pr 7.3

Let gratitude to God fill your hearts. When you rise in the morning, kneel at your bedside, and ask God to give you strength to fulfil the duties of the day, and to meet its temptations. Ask Him to help you to bring into your work Christ’s sweetness of character. Ask Him to help you to speak words that will inspire those around you with hope and courage, and draw you nearer to the Saviour.—(Sons and Daughters of God, 199.) Pr 9.4

Often our hearts will burn within us as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. When this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life a simplicity, a humility, meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.—(Christ’s Object Lessons, 129, 130.) Pr 12.2

I saw that if we do not feel immediate answers to our prayers, we should hold fast our faith, not allowing distrust to come in, for that will separate us from God. If our faith wavers, we shall receive nothing from Him. Our confidence in God should be strong; and when we need it most, the blessing will fall upon us like a shower of rain.—(Testimonies for the Church 1:120, 121.) Pr 70.2

The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and shortsighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are.

The texts in purple are taken from the book of prayers by Ellen G. White and they have really helped me to understand the power of prayer.