The Day of Fasting and Prayer by A. G. DANIELLS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 15, 1910

The Day of Fasting and Prayer

By A. G. DANIELLS

NEXT Sabbath, September 17, has been set apart as a day of fasting and prayer by our churches in the United States and Canada, because we are in need of special help from the Lord to carry forward the great work that he calls upon us to finish in this generation. His help is sufficient, and it is for us; but it must be earnestly desired and sought. It would not be rightly appreciated and used if given to us without our deep solicitude. The object of this day of fasting and prayer is to encourage our people to give this important question of the evangelization of the cities and the unworked fields the serious consideration it should receive. It is hoped that this will lead to earnest, prevailing prayer for help.

We are in great need of many more efficient laborers of all classes to engage in the work. The harvest is surely great and the laborers are few. The remedy given by the Saviour for such a situation is this: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” There are hundreds of men and women in our ranks who could render the cause the most valuable service if the importance of this work pressed as heavily and seriously upon their hearts as it should.

We are also in great need of money to support more workers and to multiply facilities. The gold and the silver, the Lord says, are his. And he declares that the world is his, and the fulness thereof. It is he that gives men power to get wealth. He can gather this wealth for his cause, and it is not only our privilege but our duty to pray to him with all the heart for a great increase of funds to aid in the hastening and finishing of his work.

But our greatest need is the power of God to make all our efforts effectual. There is no power in man to accomplish this work himself. To attempt to do this work with the energies of the flesh is vain. Jesus recognized this when he counseled his disciples not to begin their work for him until they were endued with his divine power. They received this enduement when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of pentecost. Then they were ready for service, and great were the results that attended their labors.

This enduement is our greatest need. It is the greatest gift God can bestow upon his people. Nothing is more freely and cheerfully offered to us. All we have to do is to comply with the conditions upon which it is to be given.

May this coming day of fasting and prayer bring this great blessing, and mark the beginning of a new era in our cause. A. G. DANIELLS.