Prayer

others, cannot be maintained without earnest effort. But such effort will yield
precious fruit, blessing not only the receiver, but the giver. The spirit of unselfish labor
for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness to the character and brings
peace and happiness to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated. There is no room
for sloth or selfishness. Those who exercise the Christian graces will grow. They will
have spiritual sinew and muscle, and will be strong to work for God. They will have
clear spiritual perceptions, a steady, increasing faith, and prevailing power in prayer.
Those who are watching for souls, who devote themselves most fully to the salvation
of the erring, are most surely working out their own salvation.—(Testimonies for the
Church 5:607.)
Angels mark the morning prayer.—You all have an influence for good or for
evil on the minds and characters of others. And just the influence which you exert
is written in the book of records in heaven. An angel is attending you and taking
record of your words and actions. When you rise in the morning, do you feel your
helplessness and your need of strength from God? and do you humbly, heartily make
known your wants to your heavenly Father? If so, angels mark your prayers, and
if these prayers have not gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of
unconsciously doing wrong and exerting an influence which will lead others to do
wrong, your guardian angel will be by your side, prompting you to a better course,
choosing your words for you, and influencing your actions.
If you feel in no danger, and if you offer no prayer for help and strength to
resist temptations, you will be sure to go astray; your neglect of duty will be
marked in the book of God in heaven, and you will be found wanting in the trying
day.—(Testimonies for the Church 3:363, 364.)
The practice of daily prayer is not to be followed haphazardly.—Family
worship should not be governed by circumstances. You are not to pray occasionally
and, when you have a large day’s work to do, neglect it. In thus doing you lead your
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