Ellen Chat Conversation

# Presenting God's Promises in Prayer Ellen White beautifully taught that "every promise in the word of God furnishes us with subject matter for prayer, presenting the pledged word of Jehovah as our assurance" (MB 133.1). When we pray, we have the privilege of claiming God's promises with childlike simplicity and faith. ## How to Present God's Promises in Prayer Ellen White explained that we should approach God with directness and confidence: "We may tell the Lord, with the simplicity of a child, exactly what we need" (MB 133.1). This includes both spiritual and temporal needs. She emphasized that we can "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" (MB 133.1). When praying for someone who is struggling or sick, she counseled: "Open the Bible before the tempted, struggling one, and over and over again read to him the promises of God. These promises will be to him as the leaves of the tree of life" (Te 128.1). The repetition of God's promises brings healing and hope to the soul. ## The Power of Claiming God's Promises Ellen White taught that we should come to God with our Bible in hand, claiming His promises with assurance: "Study the word, and with your Bible in your hand say, 'Here, Lord, I come to receive the gift thou hast promised me'" (SW June 4, 1903, par. 2). However, she added an important condition: we must be able to say, "I have done as thou hast said" (SW June 4, 1903, par. 2). She reminded us that God's promises are "the gracious utterances of an infinite God. His voice is speaking to us out of His Word" (2SM 260.5). These promises are not meant to be received sparingly. Rather, "this promised blessing, if claimed by faith, would bring all other blessings in its train, and it is to be given liberally to the people of God" (PCL 29.3). ## Practical Application in Prayer When presenting God's promises in prayer, Ellen White encouraged us to be specific about our needs: "Whatever spiritual blessing we need, it is our privilege to claim through Jesus" (MB 133.1). She assured us that "it is through the name of Jesus that every favor is received. God will honor that name, and will supply your necessities from the riches of His liberality" (MB 133.1). For those who are sick or struggling, she counseled that we should direct the minds of the sick to Him as the great Physicianand "urge them to rest in God's promises, knowing that He who has given these promises is our best and truest Friend" (GW 215.1). The very thought of God's tender sympathy "will give the sick a sense of rest and quietude" (GW 215.1). Ellen White reminded us that God invites us to come to Him earnestly: "As with earnestness and assurance you come to God, tell him all about your necessities. Claim his promises. He has given us the privilege of coming to him, and we need have no fears of wearying him" (SW June 4, 1903, par. 2). --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the conditions for receiving answers to prayer? • How can we develop stronger faith in God's promises? • What specific promises did Ellen White recommend for those facing temptation or illness? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=present+the+promises+of+the+word+of+god+to+him+in+pryer)

# Augustine's Mother: A Model of Persistent Prayer Yes, Ellen White beautifully described how Augustine's mother demonstrated powerful, faith-filled prayer by literally placing her finger on Scripture verses and claiming God's promises for her son's conversion. Ellen White wrote that "She laid her finger upon the texts, presenting before God his own words, and pleaded as only a mother can" (5T 322.2). This physical act of pointing to specific Bible verses while praying showed her deep faith in God's promises. She wasn't just praying vague prayers—she was claiming specific promises from Scripture and holding God to His own word. ## The Power of Her Persistent Faith What made Augustine's mother's prayers so effective was her unwavering persistence despite seeing no immediate results. Ellen White noted that "She saw no evidence that the Spirit of God was impressing his heart, but she was not discouraged" (5T 322.2). Instead of giving up when she didn't see visible change, she continued to present God's promises before Him with deep humility and earnest pleading. The result of this persistent, promise-claiming prayer was remarkable: "Her deep humiliation, her earnest importunities, her unwavering faith, prevailed, and the Lord gave her the desire of her heart" (5T 322.2). God honored her faith that took Him at His word. ## A Pattern for Parents Today Ellen White emphasized that this same approach is available to Christian parents today: "Today He is just as ready to listen to the petitions of His people" (5T 322.2). She encouraged parents to seek God earnestly, promising that "He will fill their mouths with arguments, and for His name's sake will work mightily in their behalf in the conversion of their children" (5T 322.2). The key principle is taking God at His word—literally pointing to His promises in Scripture and claiming them with childlike faith, just as Augustine's mother did. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What specific promises in Scripture are most powerful to claim in prayer for loved ones? • How can parents maintain faith and persistence when they see no evidence of spiritual change in their children? • What did Ellen White teach about the connection between humility and effective prayer?