Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
Prayer and Faith
I have frequently seen that the children of the Lord neglect
prayer, especially secret prayer, altogether too much; that many do not
exercise that faith which it is their privilege and duty to exercise, often
waiting for that feeling which faith alone can bring. Feeling is not faith; the
two are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise, but joyful feeling and the
blessing are God's to give. The grace of God comes to the soul through the
channel of living faith, and that faith it is in our power to exercise. {EW 72.1}
True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing
before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the
second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it
as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith
has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. "What things soever
ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have
them." Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive
the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized
and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose they have much faith when
sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and that they cannot have faith unless they
feel the power of the Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes
through faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the
Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind, then is the
time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. True faith
rests on the promises contained in the Word of God, and those only who obey
that Word can claim its glorious [73] promises. "If ye abide in
Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done
unto you." John 15:7. "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because
we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His
sight." 1 John 3:22. {EW
72.2}
We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the vine, ye
are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw
sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine we have
no strength. {EW 73.1}
I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in
Israel. He said, "Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your
petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure.
Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them." I was
then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he
prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the
Lord, and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the sure
promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith. Said the angel,
"Gird the armor about thee, and above all take the shield of faith; for
that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts of the wicked."
If the enemy can lead the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and
look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling
upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and His great mercy, he
will get away their shield of faith and gain his object; they will be exposed
to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe
in Him; they then exercise faith. {EW 73.2}
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