Prayer

God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from His saints
that walk uprightly. Man is erring, and although his petitions are sent up from an
honest heart, he does not always ask for the things that are good for himself, or that
will glorify God. When this is so, our wise and good Father hears our prayers, and
will answer, sometimes immediately; but He gives us the things that are for our best
good and His own glory. God gives us blessings; if we could look into His plan, we
would clearly see that He knows what is best for us and that our prayers are answered.
Nothing hurtful is given, but the blessing we need, in the place of something we asked
for that would not be good for us, but to our hurt.
I saw that if we do not feel immediate answers to our prayers, we should hold
fast our faith, not allowing distrust to come in, for that will separate us from God. If
our faith wavers, we shall receive nothing from Him. Our confidence in God should
be strong; and when we need it most, the blessing will fall upon us like a shower of
rain.—(Testimonies for the Church 1:120, 121.)
God supplies wisdom in answer to prayer—The Lord has given us the promise,
“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.” It is in the order of God that those who bear
responsibilities should often meet together to counsel with one another, and to pray
earnestly for that wisdom which He alone can impart. Unitedly make known your
troubles to God. Talk less; much precious time is lost in talk that brings no light. Let
brethren unite in fasting and prayer for the wisdom that God has promised to supply
liberally.—(Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 499.)
Christ’s grace is available even before we pray—Even before the prayer is
uttered, ... grace from Christ goes forth to meet the grace that is working upon the
human soul.—(Christ’s Object Lessons, 206.)
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