What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Will God hear prayers for guidance when the heart has not yet fully heard Jesus?"
Answer
God requires a sincere desire and an undivided heart for prayers to be answered, because He does not accept mere lip service or prayers in which one clings to sin. However, whoever recognizes his helplessness and comes to Him with a contrite heart may count on His help, for He reveals His guidance to those who earnestly seek it. A divided heart or clinging to one's own righteousness prevents God from fully granting His blessings and guidance.
Conditions for Prayer Answering
»Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. ... But why are so many prayers never answered? David says, “I cried out to Him with my mouth, and He was lifted up by my tongue. If I look at injustice in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Through another prophet the Lord gives us the promise: “You will seek me and find me if you seek me with all your heart.” He also speaks of those who “have not cried to me from the heart.” Such petitions are formal prayers, mere lip service, which the Lord does not accept.«
Complete Surrender Required
»God requires the whole heart, undivided devotion. The whole heart, the whole soul, the whole mind, and the whole strength are demanded by God. He will accept nothing less than this. No separation is allowed here; no half‑hearted effort will be accepted.«
God’s Guidance for Seekers
»The Lord reveals His will to those who are earnest and eager to be led. The reason for your inadequacy is that you have given up the notion of knowing and doing God’s will, therefore you know nothing with certainty.«
Come As We Are
»Jesus loves it when we come to Him as we are: sinful, helpless, dependent. We may come with all our weakness, folly, and sinfulness and fall repentant at His feet. It is His honor to surround us with the arms of His love, bind our wounds, and cleanse us from all impurity.«
Danger of Nurtured Sins
»We must not pray in a doubtful, half‑hearted manner, but with full confidence of faith. If we come to Him in this way, Jesus will hear our prayers and answer them; but if we view injustice in our heart, if we harbor any favorite sin, we can be sure that no blessing will be given as a response to our prayers.«
- Holistic Surrender in Prayer
- Conditions for Prayer Answering
- Seeking God’s Will and Guidance
Original Sources (English)
