Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

hearing the voice of God directing Him moment by moment, nor did He lack the power to execute His heavenly Commander’s will. This is the level of communion with heaven that each Christian must aim to achieve, knowing that no one can truly experience the Sabbath rest principles as a working, living real ity without this essential connection. We should beware, however, of immediately attempting to spend a whole night in prayer, as Jesus did, for this is something into

which we can grow only gradually. Most of us are incapable at our pres ent level of development of spending more than a short time in earnest prayer with God. Prayer is a divine science which must be mastered by all who would successfully practice the Sabbath rest principles. Just as in any other science, it requires dili gent study and earnest application of the lessons learned before worth while proficiency is attained.

The Holy Spirit’s Role

Before praying, we need first to remember that we have no power in ourselves to reach the highest heavens. We are totally dependent on the Holy Spirit’s omnipotent power, for only those prayers inspired by the Spirit ever reach the audience chamber of the Almighty. The promise is: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26. We are to pray in Christ’s name and in His spirit: “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:23–24. “We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspira tion of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is