"The words of Christ pointing to His death had brought sadness and doubt. And the selection of the three disciples to accompany Jesus to the mountain had excited the jealousy of the nine. Instead of strengthening their faith by prayer and meditation on the words of Christ, they had been dwelling on their discouragements and personal grievances. In this state of darkness they had undertaken the conflict with Satan. DA 431.1"
"And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
The EGW passage describes the disciples' lack of faith and their inability to cast out a demon, linking it to their jealousy and lack of prayer. Matthew 17:14-20 recounts the same event, where the disciples fail to heal a boy and Jesus attributes it to their unbelief. The EGW passage provides additional context and reasons for their failure, making it a thematic parallel.
"In order to succeed in such a conflict they must come to the work in a different spirit. Their faith must be strengthened by fervent prayer and fasting, and humiliation of heart. They must be emptied of self, and be filled with the Spirit and power of God. Earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith—faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to His work—can alone avail to bring men the Holy Spirit's aid in the battle against principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits in high places. DA 431.2"
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
EGW directly alludes to Ephesians 6:12, using similar language to describe the spiritual battle against "principalities and powers" and "wicked spirits in high places."
"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
EGW connects the need for "prayer and fasting" to overcome spiritual challenges, echoing the principle found in Matthew 17:21, where Jesus suggests that certain afflictions can only be overcome through prayer and fasting.
"helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen, and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path, though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills, shall disappear before the demand of faith. “Nothing shall be impossible unto you.” DA 431.3"
"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
The phrase 'Nothing shall be impossible unto you' is a direct quote from Jesus in Matthew 17:20, emphasizing the power of faith.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
This verse highlights the importance of faith in pleasing God and receiving His help, which aligns with the passage's emphasis on faith bringing the power of heaven.