“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.” – Isaiah 32:20
When self dies, there will be awakened an intense desire for the salvation of others,—a desire which will lead to persevering efforts to do good. There will be a sowing beside all waters; and earnest supplication, importunate prayers, will enter heaven in behalf of perishing souls. (1)
Oh, that the earnest prayer of faith may arise everywhere, Give me souls buried now in the rubbish of error, or I die! Bring them to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. (2)
Begin to pray for souls; come near to Christ, close to His bleeding side. Let a meek and quiet spirit adorn your lives, and let your earnest, broken, humble petitions ascend to Him for wisdom that you may have success in saving not only your own soul, but the souls of others. (3)
There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them. (4)
Souls are to be sought for, prayed for, labored for. Earnest appeals are to be made. Fervent prayers are to be offered. Our tame, spiritless petitions are to be changed into petitions of intense earnestness. (5)
This work requires you to watch for souls as they that must give an account. The tenderness of Christ must pervade the heart of the worker. If you have a love for souls you will reveal a tender solicitude for them. You will offer humble, earnest, heartfelt prayers for those whom you visit. The fragrance of Christ’s love will be revealed in your work. He who gave His own life for the life of the world will co-operate with the unselfish worker to make an impression upon human hearts. (6)
Let us work upon this plan, and pray for one another, bringing one another right into the presence of God by living faith. (7)
Charge for the Day: If you haven’t already, start a prayer book, and fill it with names of people to pray for. Beyond praying for them, ask God what you can do to labor for their salvation.
1. Gospel Workers, p. 470
2. Letter 20, 1883
3. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 513
4. Prophets and Kings, p. 719
5. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 12
6. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 75-76
7. The Review and Herald, August 28, 1888