Chapter 38—Praying in Groups
BIBLE GEM
CWG 92.1
QUESTION
CWG 92.2
ANSWER
Let small companies assemble: “Let small companies assemble in the evening, at noon, or in the early morning to study the Bible. Let them have a season of prayer, that they may be strengthened, enlightened, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This work Christ wants to have done in the heart of every worker. If you yourselves will open the door to receive it, a great blessing will come to you. Angels of God will be in your assembly. You will feed upon the leaves of the tree of life. What testimonies you may bear of the loving acquaintance made with your fellow workers in these precious seasons when seeking the blessing of God. Let each tell his experience in simple words.”—Testimonies For The Church 7:195CWG 92.3
Praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit: “Why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit, since this is the means by which we are to receive power? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to us than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the baptism of the Spirit every worker should be pleading with God. Companies should be gathered together to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely.”—Testimonies For The Church 8:22CWG 92.4
The praying ones in the shaking time: “As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aide of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves and I lost sight of them.CWG 93.1
“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans.”—Early Writings, 270CWG 93.2
Spending time together in prayer: “We must be much in prayer if we would make progress in the divine life. When the message of truth was first proclaimed, how much we prayed.... Frequently we spent hours in earnest prayer.... Our perils are greater now than then.”—Testimonies For The Church 5:161, 162CWG 93.3
SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT
CWG 93.4
CWG 93.5
CWG 93.6
CWG 93.7