"Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 . Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24 . Do we take Him at His word? SC 96.1"
"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."
Ellen White directly references Hebrews 11:6 in this passage.
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Ellen White directly references Mark 11:24 in this passage.
The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and short-sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good— that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see…
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
EGW directly quotes the phrase "He is faithful that promised" from Hebrews 10:23, making this an explicit allusion rather than a thematic parallel. The context is also very similar, discussing faith and trust in God's promises.
"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 discuss God's willingness to give good things to those who ask. EGW expands on this principle by explaining that God's wisdom and love may lead Him to answer prayers in ways that are ultimately for our highest good, even if it's not what we initially requested. This aligns with the core idea of Matthew 7:11.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Both passages address the topic of asking God for something. James 1:5 focuses on asking for wisdom, while EGW discusses prayer in general. The common theme is that God is willing to give to those who ask, although EGW adds the caveat that God's answers may not always be what we expect. The connection is valid, but not as strong as a direct quote or explicit allusion.