Ellen G. White Estate

Struggling to Pray? This Simple Advice Will Help!

“The life of prayer is the strength of true godliness. Our faith must be revealed to the world as a living, acting faith, bringing in its train all the Christian graces. The great and glorious work committed to us in acting a part in the plan of salvation is wonderfully high and exalted. We cannot weigh its merits. We are to walk by faith; and as we strive to appreciate the possibilities, and realize the immensity of the plan of salvation, it is our privilege to pray with the apostle Paul, that we may be able to “comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of God, which passeth knowledge.” [Ephesians 3:18, 19.] Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary. Let the mind dwell upon the beauties of His character, until by beholding, you become changed into the same image. A life of prayer and faith will lead us to speak of His praise and tell of His power. We must search the Word of God, making it a part of ourselves. A spirit of humility, the Spirit of Christ, will help us to know Him who has called us to glory and virtue.”

— Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 22 (1907), Lt 28, 1907, par. 6

Are you depressed?

We do not wish to consult our own feelings; we do not wish to be depressed if we feel that a discouragement comes upon us. We are not to allow ourselves to be depressed, because the promises are for us, and we are to take them. We are to rejoice in the promises, and we are to be made glad in Jesus Christ. Why, it is everything to us whether we are in a living connection with Jesus Christ, or not. It is everything. And if we do not always feel that we are in an exalted position of enjoyment, that is no evidence that we are not the Lord’s.

Trials will come upon us. Others’ trials will come upon us; as we see that there is danger, any danger to any of Christ’s disciples, we shall feel sad, we shall feel grieved and distressed. But we can go to them just as Christ has told us in the early part of the history, and just tell your difficulties or tell how you feel between Him and you alone. And then you may be reconciled to your brother or your sister, and they to you. You may remove a great difficulty out of their way by a little explanation, so that you can be in harmony.

— Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 23 (1908), Ms 141, 1908, par. 5-6