Posts
by Margaret W. Eggleston
Just outside the gate of a little Japanese town stood the shrine of the goddess Kishibojin. Every morning for many months, a young girl came to the shrine and bowed before it in earnest prayer. Sometimes she poured cold water over her body as she prayed. At other times she cut off strands of her hair and offered them to the idol. Tomi Kagata was determined to have the answer to her prayer, and she tried in every way she knew to make Kishibojin hear her. Still her prayer was not answered.
Each day, after Tomi’s prayer was over, she worked hard at a factory. Then, in the evening, she went home to care for her ailing father and two small brothers. Tomi was always tired, even in the morning when she went to pray.
Things had not always been so hard. Although Tomi’s mother was dead, her kind father and loving elder brother had taken good care of the home. Then disaster struck. First, her father became ill. At about the same time, Tomi’s brother, Matsui, began to drink. One day he struck a policeman. To avoid paying a large fine, he ran away from home. Now it was up to Tomi to provide for the family.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Thirty-three Cents
by Minon Auda Hiebert
I clutched the paper and stared. Thirty-three cents! My senior year of academy was only half over, and my account carried a credit of just 33¢.
Father was ill, and Mother could never manage to help me from her meager earnings. When I had arrived in September with my savings of $200, I had hoped that I could work off my expenses. But my wages were low, and expenses were high. Now I had just 33¢ for the rest of the year!
What Might Have Been
by Ellen White
I found myself at Battle Creek. We had gathered in the Tabernacle Church1 for a meeting of the General Conference.2 Prayer was offered, a hymn was sung, and prayer was again offered, with most earnest supplication being made to God. All could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Everyone present seemed sober and serious, and some were weeping out loud.
A Taste of GC
Now imagine a gathering with 60,000 believers—that lasts for ten days! I’m talking about the General Conference Session, of course. If you’ve never had the privilege to attend, let me paint you a tiny picture.
The mere size and scope of the GC is hard to take in. Picture standing on an upper level of a huge arena—and spotting almost no empty seats. Think of entering a huge exhibit hall, realizing that you may never explore it completely, because you’ll keep stopping to chat with long-lost friends and acquaintances. Imagine sitting among a massive crowd on Sabbath morning as Elder Ted Wilson speaks words that inspire, encourage, and challenge you and make you so glad you’re a Seventh-day Adventist.
All during the week, there’s an almost electric atmosphere in the air, as you hear reports of the latest topic under discussion in the GC Session or the name of someone nominated for a great responsibility. You know that history is in the making—and it’s thrilling to be there.
Now think for a moment of how tragic all this would be without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, this does not need to be the case. Please join me in praying each day for a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit on every officer, delegate, and attendee at the General Conference happening right now in San Antonio, Texas.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this were the last GC to ever be held on Earth?
P.S. This year’s exhibit hall, more than 100,000 square feet in size, features 600 booths for SDA ministries and vendors. If you’re here, come see us! We’re booth #C1733. Here's a snapshot of the booth and our lovely young assistants!
My Dreams for His
by Jessica Pendleton
Life apart from love is just not working out too well for this planet I call my own.
The painful cries of suffering humanity can be heard from every corner. And when one lets the surrounding needs really sink in, there is no question: A life of even the most faithful service is as a drop in the ocean compared to the great need.
And yet in the midst of it all, I stand with my dreams clutched tight. Some are shattered beyond belief, while others remain pure and strong and beautifully whole. And I wonder: Can I really afford to trade my dreams for the dreams God has for my life?
In Touch
Dear Young Disciples,
The words looking back at me told of love sought and won, and even though I knew it wasn’t pure, the story drew me in. Soon hours had passed. I felt defiled, but I didn’t stop: Other stories I found on the web soon allured me.
Fiction’s hold on me deepened as I began reading full-length novels. The more I read, the more unclean I felt, but the escape from reality enticed me more than my desire to do right. I didn’t try to stop.
One year later, my imaginary world collided with reality. I began teaching a junior class, starting with lessons on Steps to Christ. That’s when I discovered that I didn’t have a personal knowledge of God—the very thing I was trying to teach. Desperately, I began studying my Bible. As I learned of Christ, I found that true satisfaction comes only through Him. I determined that fiction would no longer control me.
Stopping wasn’t easy. Each day I tried and failed. I took steps to make the websites harder to access, but still I found myself there often. As I grew discouraged with my efforts, God began to teach me that victory is possible only through His strength. As I believed and claimed His power, temptation’s hold lessened.
Although it took years, fiction’s addiction no longer controls me. His power keeps me. I still must guard my heart and choose to obey, for I’m still sometimes tempted—but as long as I am connected to Him, I am sheltered under His wings. He is faithful. He keeps me true.
Seeking Him alone,
The words looking back at me told of love sought and won, and even though I knew it wasn’t pure, the story drew me in. Soon hours had passed. I felt defiled, but I didn’t stop: Other stories I found on the web soon allured me.
Fiction’s hold on me deepened as I began reading full-length novels. The more I read, the more unclean I felt, but the escape from reality enticed me more than my desire to do right. I didn’t try to stop.
One year later, my imaginary world collided with reality. I began teaching a junior class, starting with lessons on Steps to Christ. That’s when I discovered that I didn’t have a personal knowledge of God—the very thing I was trying to teach. Desperately, I began studying my Bible. As I learned of Christ, I found that true satisfaction comes only through Him. I determined that fiction would no longer control me.
Stopping wasn’t easy. Each day I tried and failed. I took steps to make the websites harder to access, but still I found myself there often. As I grew discouraged with my efforts, God began to teach me that victory is possible only through His strength. As I believed and claimed His power, temptation’s hold lessened.
Although it took years, fiction’s addiction no longer controls me. His power keeps me. I still must guard my heart and choose to obey, for I’m still sometimes tempted—but as long as I am connected to Him, I am sheltered under His wings. He is faithful. He keeps me true.
Seeking Him alone,
The Throne Room
An allegory by Walter O. Edwards
A lonely pilgrim with wounded hands and feet and a bleeding side stood before a bolted door. The stranger had come a long way, from the distant court of his father, who was a great king.
The prince knew that behind the door was a throne room which his father had prepared for him. However, the keeper of the throne room had foolishly opened the door to the prince’s deadly enemy. This brute had pushed aside the keeper, cast down and destroyed all the beautiful furnishings, and seated himself on the throne. Meanwhile, the poor keeper hardly even resisted. Instead, he seemed amazed by the brilliance and power of his new master.
A lonely pilgrim with wounded hands and feet and a bleeding side stood before a bolted door. The stranger had come a long way, from the distant court of his father, who was a great king.
The prince knew that behind the door was a throne room which his father had prepared for him. However, the keeper of the throne room had foolishly opened the door to the prince’s deadly enemy. This brute had pushed aside the keeper, cast down and destroyed all the beautiful furnishings, and seated himself on the throne. Meanwhile, the poor keeper hardly even resisted. Instead, he seemed amazed by the brilliance and power of his new master.
Prayer of Surrender
Dear Father,
Here I am again, halting between two opinions.1 Please, let me wrestle through this one more time.2 I know we talked about this just last night; but, please, I need to reason this through with You again.3 Is Your way really the best?
Those Juniors, Part 20: Concrete Correction
by Eric B. Hare
Last week: If you want to have the greatest amount of power through influencing (or tempting) your children/students to do good and be good, you must pursue the practical.
As a sample of the many voices being raised in warning throughout America, we might take an article by Webb Waldron, which appeared in the December, 1944, issue of Your Life. In this article he records an interview with Kenneth E. Appel, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical School. We quote a few sentences.
“One million children in United States public schools today will sometime go to mental hospitals if we follow the patterns of the past. Most of them could be saved by parents through proper education for life.”
In Touch
Dear Young Disciples,
Dwight Moody, the famous evangelist, once spoke to a crowd of children in Edinburgh, Scotland. In order to get their attention he began with a question: “What is prayer?” He didn’t expect to get a good answer. He rather imagined that he himself would have to answer the question.
To Moody’s amazement, little hands shot up all over the hall. Moody pointed to a little boy who stood up and said in a clear voice, “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.”
“Thank God, my boy,” Mr. Moody told him, “that you were born in Scotland—a country that fears God and that believes in teaching its children well.”
Of course, that was long ago. I wonder what sort of answer he would get today. How would you answer? Many Christians would say that prayer is asking God to give us things or to help us. In other words, they see it sort of like a beggar knocking at the door of a rich man.
But prayer is much more than that. True prayer lifts us up to God—and when we are with Him, He gives us everything we need. David understood this and said, “Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul” (Psalm 25:1).
When we lift up our souls to God in prayer, we give Him an opportunity to work out His will in us and through us. We entrust our lives to Him, to do as He sees fit.
We need never worry when we do this, because God is always on our side!
Your friend,
Dwight Moody, the famous evangelist, once spoke to a crowd of children in Edinburgh, Scotland. In order to get their attention he began with a question: “What is prayer?” He didn’t expect to get a good answer. He rather imagined that he himself would have to answer the question.
To Moody’s amazement, little hands shot up all over the hall. Moody pointed to a little boy who stood up and said in a clear voice, “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.”
“Thank God, my boy,” Mr. Moody told him, “that you were born in Scotland—a country that fears God and that believes in teaching its children well.”
Of course, that was long ago. I wonder what sort of answer he would get today. How would you answer? Many Christians would say that prayer is asking God to give us things or to help us. In other words, they see it sort of like a beggar knocking at the door of a rich man.
But prayer is much more than that. True prayer lifts us up to God—and when we are with Him, He gives us everything we need. David understood this and said, “Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul” (Psalm 25:1).
When we lift up our souls to God in prayer, we give Him an opportunity to work out His will in us and through us. We entrust our lives to Him, to do as He sees fit.
We need never worry when we do this, because God is always on our side!
Your friend,
Prayer in the Science Lab, Part 3
by Cheyenne Francis Reiswig
Have you ever felt sick to your stomach from anxiety or worry—and then felt the physical tension subside as you waited before God, releasing the situation to Him? Does your hope in God help you deal with depressive feelings that try to get you down?1 Have you seen friends and relatives—or maybe yourself—healed of a physical or emotional malady more quickly or fully because of prayer?
Have you ever felt sick to your stomach from anxiety or worry—and then felt the physical tension subside as you waited before God, releasing the situation to Him? Does your hope in God help you deal with depressive feelings that try to get you down?1 Have you seen friends and relatives—or maybe yourself—healed of a physical or emotional malady more quickly or fully because of prayer?
In Touch
Dear Young Disciples,
One day during my devotions, I began to think about my prayers. Was I really getting all I could from my time with God? I felt sure my prayer life could use a boost. That’s why I began a Bible study on the subject of prayer.
To begin with, I found a binder and divided it into several sections:
• What to pray for
• Bible prayers
• Promises about prayer
• Dangers of not praying
• When we should pray
• Principles of prayer
• Postures in prayer
From then on, whenever I found a Bible verse or a Spirit of Prophecy statement about any of these subjects, I added it to my binder. As the weeks passed, the longest section became my favorite: the section on what to pray for.
Since then, whenever I review my prayer notebook, I am encouraged and humbled to think of the many blessings God offers me just for the asking. And I marvel at why I ask for so little.
Why not start your own prayer notebook? I believe you’ll find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
Your friend,
One day during my devotions, I began to think about my prayers. Was I really getting all I could from my time with God? I felt sure my prayer life could use a boost. That’s why I began a Bible study on the subject of prayer.
To begin with, I found a binder and divided it into several sections:
• What to pray for
• Bible prayers
• Promises about prayer
• Dangers of not praying
• When we should pray
• Principles of prayer
• Postures in prayer
From then on, whenever I found a Bible verse or a Spirit of Prophecy statement about any of these subjects, I added it to my binder. As the weeks passed, the longest section became my favorite: the section on what to pray for.
Since then, whenever I review my prayer notebook, I am encouraged and humbled to think of the many blessings God offers me just for the asking. And I marvel at why I ask for so little.
Why not start your own prayer notebook? I believe you’ll find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
Your friend,
Midnight Confession
by R.A. Torrey
The members of the board looked at me in amazement. “Do you mean to tell us,” one man finally choked out, “that you want us to end our financial support of your project? That you don’t want our financial backing for your family, or even for the missionaries you employ?”
The knob on the board member’s throat worked up and down in a peculiar fashion as he spoke. “Are you saying that you plan to continue your work without a salary, without an allowance, without taking up any collections, and without asking for money in any way?”
The Cost of Love
by Kezzia Keener
I must admit it: I didn't quite know what I was asking for that day as I knelt beside my bed, asking God to teach me to love like He loved. Honestly, though, it didn't occur to me that maybe I should examine the cost a little more. I only knew that I had come face to face with Love Himself, and I just wanted to love like Him.
About a year passed, and I found myself revisiting the topic. Progress in love seemed slow to me, and each day I seemed to find more and more things that I needed to surrender to Him. I still desired to love like Him, but the effort involved in learning His way seemed overwhelming. I’d gotten distracted along the way, making it seem even harder. Needless to say, my sense of failure left me feeling depressed.
I thank God that He didn't leave me to my own devising. In the months since, I have begun to understand a little better what it means to “love like Him.”
I mean, who but God could come to a pile of filthy rags and rotting sores that smell very strongly of death, and simply love with a love strong enough to hold me—and all my unrighteousness—close to His heart, and call me His, beautiful, forgiven—before the transformation.
I don’t understand this love. I don’t begin to understand. But I still want to love like Him.
I know it won’t be easy. I’ll have to surrender and throw out and confess and struggle, but He’ll give the strength I need. My life is in His hands. I am His, and I can trust Him to make of me what He wants me to be. When I partner with His almighty power, there are no impossibilities.
My prayer has changed a little bit. Now I’m asking Him not just to teach me to love like He loves, but to purify me (with fire, if needed) and cleanse me from every stain. I still don’t think I know where this prayer will take me, but I want Him in my heart, forever, no matter the cost. So may I be broken if He may be glorified, and may His fire burn all my heart’s dross so His love can be mine.
Power Within
by Arthur T. Pierson
Thousands live above 12,000 feet in the Andes of South America, and mountain peaks soar as high as 22,000 feet. In such a place, it took quite an effort to lay train tracks. But at last the day came when an engineer drove the first locomotive up through the mountains of Bolivia.* Native Bolivians from all across the mountainsides heard of the great engine and traveled many miles to see it.
One group of Indians came all the way from the Amazon basin to see the strange sight. Finding the engine stationary on the tracks, they sat back on their haunches and discussed what this monster could be. “It is made to go,” one observed. Another said, “Let us make it go.” They got out their ropes and hooked them onto various parts of the engine, and then about 30 men began to pull. With several great heaves, they managed to move the locomotive six yards. Standing back to see what they had done, they exclaimed, “Ay-ay-ay-ay Tatai Tatito! The great and little father has given us power to do a wonderful thing!”
The next day, the engineer shoveled coal into the firebox. Hitching two cattle cars onto the engine, he invited the Amazon Indians to step inside. Then, opening the regulator, the engineer let steam into the cylinder, which began to move the piston and the wheels of the locomotive. The Indians shouted with surprise to be carried along at ten miles an hour, instead of slowly dragging the engine themselves!
Steam engines, of course, were not made to be pulled by human power. Instead, the power to propel them comes from a fire within. The same can be said of effectual, fervent prayer. We don’t move Heaven by working up human zeal; instead, God moves us by placing the Holy Spirit within. Then, as we pray, the Spirit helps our human frailty, giving us divine earnestness to pray for things that match God’s will. With the power of the Spirit within, we can know that the Father hears us and will grant our petitions!
*About a century ago.
From The Missionary Review, Volume 30, 1907.
Thousands live above 12,000 feet in the Andes of South America, and mountain peaks soar as high as 22,000 feet. In such a place, it took quite an effort to lay train tracks. But at last the day came when an engineer drove the first locomotive up through the mountains of Bolivia.* Native Bolivians from all across the mountainsides heard of the great engine and traveled many miles to see it.
One group of Indians came all the way from the Amazon basin to see the strange sight. Finding the engine stationary on the tracks, they sat back on their haunches and discussed what this monster could be. “It is made to go,” one observed. Another said, “Let us make it go.” They got out their ropes and hooked them onto various parts of the engine, and then about 30 men began to pull. With several great heaves, they managed to move the locomotive six yards. Standing back to see what they had done, they exclaimed, “Ay-ay-ay-ay Tatai Tatito! The great and little father has given us power to do a wonderful thing!”
The next day, the engineer shoveled coal into the firebox. Hitching two cattle cars onto the engine, he invited the Amazon Indians to step inside. Then, opening the regulator, the engineer let steam into the cylinder, which began to move the piston and the wheels of the locomotive. The Indians shouted with surprise to be carried along at ten miles an hour, instead of slowly dragging the engine themselves!
Steam engines, of course, were not made to be pulled by human power. Instead, the power to propel them comes from a fire within. The same can be said of effectual, fervent prayer. We don’t move Heaven by working up human zeal; instead, God moves us by placing the Holy Spirit within. Then, as we pray, the Spirit helps our human frailty, giving us divine earnestness to pray for things that match God’s will. With the power of the Spirit within, we can know that the Father hears us and will grant our petitions!
*About a century ago.
From The Missionary Review, Volume 30, 1907.
Prayer in the Science Lab, Part 2
by Cheyenne Francis Reiswig
Dr. Randolph Byrd is a heart specialist, and he’s also a researcher. A little over 25 years ago, he conducted a study that kicked off the medical community’s interest in researching prayer. The study focused on the effects of intercessory prayer, or prayer offered for someone else.
For subjects, Dr. Byrd used 393 patients in the Intensive Heart Care Unit at San Francisco General Medical Center. Computers randomly decided which half of the patients would be prayed for, and which would not.1 Throughout the study, the patients and their doctors remained unaware of who was in which group.2
Are You One of the Ye's?
by R.A. Torrey
I was a young pastor in my first pastorate. A lady in my congregation faithfully attended church, but she refused to become a member. The mystery deepened when I discovered that she used to belong to the church, but had withdrawn her membership. I decided to find out the problem.
I was a young pastor in my first pastorate. A lady in my congregation faithfully attended church, but she refused to become a member. The mystery deepened when I discovered that she used to belong to the church, but had withdrawn her membership. I decided to find out the problem.
Mission Update
by Emily Heagy
Former YD designer now serving in Cambodia
My friends and I meandered along the trail that ran beside the broken-down remains of a Buddhist temple. It was a school holiday, so we were free from our teaching duties for the day. To get to know the area a little better, we had decided to explore the Angkor Wat complex here in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We finally reached our real destination at this particular temple site: a large lake with trees and birds and bushes. It was such a peaceful sight!However, we were not alone. Two little local girls, laden with trays full of postcards, bracelets, fans and magnets, came to us with pleading eyes and simple English. "Do you want to buy this? This one—one dollar!"
Memory Text for July 20–26
When we pray, we are speaking to the totally righteous Ruler of the universe. We should enter His presence with reverence, and ask Him to cleanse us of any sin that would come between us and Him.
Memory Text:
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5).
Project: Memory
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
Limitless Promise
by an unknown Christian
Early one morning when I was a student at a Christian college, a fellow student burst into my room holding an open Bible. His face glowed with mingled joy and surprise. “Do you believe this?” he practically shouted. “Is it really true?”
“Believe what?” My friend was still a young convert to Christ. The Bible was a new book to him, and as a result he often made a discovery.
Early one morning when I was a student at a Christian college, a fellow student burst into my room holding an open Bible. His face glowed with mingled joy and surprise. “Do you believe this?” he practically shouted. “Is it really true?”
“Believe what?” My friend was still a young convert to Christ. The Bible was a new book to him, and as a result he often made a discovery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)