"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. 1T 121.1"
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of James 1:6 regarding wavering faith and receiving nothing from God. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Both passages emphasize the importance of believing when asking in prayer to receive what is asked for. The EGW passage expands on this principle by discussing the timing of answers to prayer.
"When the servants of God pray for His Spirit and blessing, it sometimes comes immediately; but it is not always then bestowed. At such times, faint not. Let your faith hold fast the promise that it will come. Let your trust be fully in God, and often that blessing will come when you need it most, and you will unexpectedly receive help from God when you are presenting the truth to unbelievers, and will be enabled to speak the word with clearness and power. 1T 121.2"
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
The passage echoes the idea of asking, seeking, and knocking, with the promise of receiving, finding, and having the door opened, even if not immediately.
"It was represented to me like children asking a blessing of their earthly parents who love them. They ask something that the parent knows will hurt them; the parent gives them the things that will be good and healthful for them, in the place of that which they desired. I saw that every prayer which is sent up in faith from an honest heart will be heard of God and answered, and the one that sent up the petition will have the blessing when he needs it most, and it will often exceed his expectations. Not a prayer of a true saint is lost if sent up in faith from an honest heart. 1T 121.3"
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Both passages use the analogy of a parent giving good gifts to their children to illustrate God's willingness to provide for those who ask Him. EGW's passage directly echoes the sentiment of Matthew 7:11, emphasizing that God gives what is truly good, even if it differs from what is requested.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Both passages discuss the efficacy of prayer and its importance in the life of a righteous person. EGW expands on the idea that prayers are heard and answered, even if the answer isn't exactly what was requested, aligning with the principle of fervent prayer availing much.