Talk Less; Pray More

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1913

Talk Less; Pray More

To no people in the world was there ever committed a greater responsibility than rests upon Seventh-day Adventists. We are made the conservators of solemn and important truth. We are a part of a great religious movement which is extending to all the world. Weighty and perplexing problems confront us. We have to deal with large questions of finance, of plan, of policy. The various boards and committees of our conferences and institutions are perplexed at times beyond measure to know what to do to meet the growing demand of the work and the exigencies and emergencies that continually arise. We spend much time in counsel and discussion, but O, how little time comparatively do we spend in prayer!

We need to plan. We need to think and to think hard over the questions with which we have to deal; but O, let us not plan without divine guidance! If half the time we spend in idle talk and theorizing were spent in the study of God's Word and earnest supplication, the results attained would amply justify the employment of these means in our work.

We need in our work to pray more and talk less. We need to place less dependence upon human reasoning, and reach out after the wisdom that comes from above. The guidance of the Holy Spirit is worth more than any human philosophy. A few moments spent in earnest supplication will accomplish more than any human devising.