"The father hurries on to greet his son. He clasps him to his heart as one restored from the dead, and thanks God again and again for this wonderful restoration. DA 200.1"
"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."
Both passages describe a father's joy at the restoration of his son. The EGW passage refers to the father clasping his son 'as one restored from the dead,' which directly echoes the sentiment in Luke 15:24. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"The nobleman longed to know more of Christ. As he afterward heard His teaching, he and all his household became disciples. Their affliction was sanctified to the conversion of the entire family. Tidings of the miracle spread; and in Capernaum, where so many of His mighty works were performed, the way was prepared for Christ's personal ministry. DA 200.2"
"And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."
Both passages describe the conversion of a household. While the details differ, the core theme of an entire family coming to faith is present in both. The connection is valid, though not as strong as a direct quote or explicit allusion.
"He who blessed the nobleman at Capernaum is just as desirous of blessing us. But like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in His love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love. DA 200.3"
"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 address the idea that God gives good gifts to those who ask. The EGW passage expands on this by suggesting that God's gifts are often greater than what we initially request and that He uses our requests to reveal our deeper needs. The connection is a direct principle, with EGW elaborating on the biblical concept.
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
Both passages discuss the idea that prayers are not always answered because of selfish motives. The EGW passage speaks of seeking Jesus for 'some earthly good' and needing to 'renounce the selfishness,' while James 4:3 states that people ask 'amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.' The thematic parallel is clear and relevant.
"The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us “exceeding abundantly,” “according to the riches of His glory,” and “the working of His mighty power.” Ephesians 3:20, 16 ; 1:19 . DA 200.4"
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of believing that you receive what you ask for in prayer, as stated in Mark 11:24.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Both passages discuss the importance of faith in receiving blessings, even when those blessings are not immediately visible. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, which aligns with EGW's statement that we should believe in God's promises even if we don't see or feel that He hears us.