Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 4—Prayer And Soul Winning
Prayer Accomplishes More in Soul Winning Than Words Alone—Satan is on your track. He is an artful opponent, and the malignant spirit which you meet in your work is inspired by him. Those whom he controls echo his words. If the veil could be rent away from their eyes, those thus worked would see Satan plying all his arts to win them from the truth. In rescuing souls from his devices, far more will be accomplished by Christlike, humble prayer than by many words without prayer.—(Colporteur Ministry, 81.) {Pr 44.2}
God calls for modest, quiet, sober-minded youth, and men of mature age, who are well balanced with principle, who can pray as well as talk, who will rise up before the aged, and treat gray hairs with respect. {Pr 44.3}
The cause of God is suffering for want of laborers of understanding and mental power. My brethren and sisters, the Lord has blessed you with intellectual faculties capable of vast improvement. Cultivate your talents with persevering earnestness. Train and discipline the mind by study, by observation, by reflection. You cannot meet the mind of God unless you put to use every power. The mental faculties will strengthen and develop if you will go to work in the fear of God, in humility, and with earnest prayer. A resolute purpose will accomplish wonders. Be open, firm, decided Christians. Exalt Jesus, talk of His love, tell of His power, and thus let your light shine forth to the world.—(Life Sketches, 275.) {Pr 44.4}
Satan prowls around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He knows that he has but a short time and is busy at work employing whomever he can get to do his dirty work for him. If we are not praying and seeking the face of Jesus, we are in danger of Satan trying to use us as his instruments. He watches us closely and he knows all our weaknesses. However, if he sees that you are in God’s presence, he will flee from you. We are empowered to rescue souls from his devices with humble and earnest prayer, drawing nigh to God that He may draw nigh to us. Let this mind be in us, which is also in Christ Jesus.
Our Father, God almighty,
We thank You and praise You for giving us the privilege of carrying forward Your plan of salvation. Even though we go up against a defeated foe, Satan will continue to war against Your children, even to the end of time. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17. We thank You for the Power of prayer and Your Spirit that gives us strength to resist the devil. As we enter into Your presence, we pray that we may draw nigh unto You and that You draw nigh unto us. We pray we receive Your character and let this mind be in us that is also in Christ Jesus. As You took the form of a servant, we pray that we may humbly serve You, being obedient to obey all Your commandments, even unto death. We pray for wisdom and understanding to intelligently witness of You and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. We thank You for always being by our side, for not letting go of us, as we will not let go of You. For holding us in Your right hand of power, that no one could pluck us out of Your hand. Help us to remain vigilant as Satan is always on the lookout for the slightest opening in our armor. We pray for discipline in our prayer life for others and ourselves. Helps us to fight the good fight of faith and endure to the end. May we be found standing, and not wanting, wide-awake and not sleeping. May our lamps be trimmed and burning. Until we meet, may we all exalt Jesus, talk of His love, tell of His power, and let our light shine forth to the world. Praise God and Glory to his name, we pray in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
