"I am instructed to say to my fellow-workers, If you would have the rich treasures of heaven, you must hold secret communion with God. Unless you do this, your soul will be as destitute of the Holy Spirit as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. When you hurry from one thing to another, when you have so much to do that you cannot take time to talk with God, how can you expect power in your work? GW 272.1"
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Both passages emphasize the importance of private, secret prayer. Matthew 6:6 explicitly instructs believers to pray in secret, and EGW echoes this by stating the necessity of 'secret communion with God' to receive 'the rich treasures of heaven.'
"Pray without ceasing."
Both passages encourage consistent communication with God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 commands believers to 'pray without ceasing,' and EGW emphasizes the need to 'hold secret communion with God' and avoid being so busy that one cannot 'take time to talk with God.'
"The reason so many of our ministers preach tame, lifeless discourses is that they allow a variety of things of a worldly nature to take their time and attention. Unless there is constant growth in grace, we shall be wanting in words suitable for the occasion. Commune with your own heart, and then commune with God. Unless you do this, your efforts will be fruitless, made thus by unsanctified hurry and confusion. GW 272.2"
"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."
EGW directly alludes to Psalm 4:4, using the phrase 'Commune with your own heart' and connecting it to communing with God. The context in both passages emphasizes the importance of introspection and reflection before engaging in outward actions or ministry.
"Ministers and teachers, let your work be fragrant with rich spiritual grace. Do not make it common by mixing it with common things. Move onward and upward. Cleanse yourselves “from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” [ 2 Corinthians 7:1 .] GW 272.3"
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
Ellen White directly references 2 Corinthians 7:1 in this passage.
"We need to be converted daily. Our prayers should be more fervent; then they will be more effectual. Stronger and stronger should be our confidence that God's Spirit will be with us, making us pure and holy, as upright and fragrant as the cedar of Lebanon.— Testimonies for the Church 7:250-252 . GW 272.4"
"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord."
Both passages emphasize self-reflection and turning to God. Lamentations speaks of examining our ways and returning to the Lord, while EGW speaks of daily conversion and fervent prayer. The connection is thematic, focusing on repentance and seeking God.