Ellen White described a deep unity between the Father and the Son, stating that "The Father and the Son are united" (
13MR 248.1). In her own prayer life, she frequently addressed "Our heavenly Father" (
7MR 413) while looking to the "Lord Jesus" as her "Helper" (
8MR 295) and emphasizing the necessity of the "outpouring of the Holy Spirit" (
Pr 4.1). In her writings, Ellen White emphasized that the goal of the Christian life is to be one with Christ, just as he is one with the Father" (1888).
She taught that through the Holy Spirit Jesus can bind heart to heart" (1888), suggesting a collaborative work between the members of the Godhead to support the believer. She encouraged looking "constantly to Jesus" by faith, noting that as we do so, God will make the most precious revelationsand the "Holy Spirit comes as a Comforter" (
10MR 166). Regarding the practice of prayer, Ellen White often addressed God as the "heavenly Father" and a "compassionate Saviour" (
7MR 413). She found great value in the model prayer that Christ gave to His disciples,noting that "in these few words all my needs are comprehended" (
8MR 295).
She would often offer her own "special private prayer" and then close her petitions with the Lord's Prayer to ensure she had not "asked amiss" (
8MR 295). While her prayers were often directed to the Father, she also spoke of the importance of seeking the Holy Spirit. She wrote that we acknowledge that we need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,but clarified that "this can be accomplished only as we pray individually and collectively" (
Pr 4.1). She believed that when people pray earnestly, the "Holy Spirit comes to equip and empower His people" (
Pr 4.1).
For practical application, Ellen White’s example suggests a prayer life that is deeply personal and recognizes the different roles of the Godhead. She encouraged believers to move out in the fear of Godand seek "Him for wisdom at every step" (
WM 325.3). She also highlighted the promise of Jesus that "where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst of them, to bless them" (
Ev 112.1). In conclusion, while Ellen White’s recorded prayers were typically addressed to the Father in the name of or with focus on Jesus, she viewed the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as working in perfect harmony for the believer's growth and strength. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about the personality and work of the Holy Spirit?
• How did Ellen White describe the relationship between Christ and the Father before the creation of the world?
• What specific instructions did she give regarding how to pray effectively in private?
