The prayer which Nathanael offered while he was under the fig tree came from a sincere heart, and it was heard and answered by the Master. Christ said of him: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47. The Lord reads the hearts of all and understands their motives and purposes. “The prayer of the upright is His delight.” Proverbs 15:8. He will not be slow to hear those who open their hearts to Him, not exalting self, but sincerely feeling their great weakness and unworthiness. (4T 534.1) MC VC

There is need of prayer,—most earnest, fervent, agonizing prayer,—such prayer as David offered when he exclaimed: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.”(Psalm 42:1) “I have longed after Thy precepts;”(Psalm 119:40) “I have longed for Thy salvation.”(Psalm 119:174) “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.”(Psalm 84:2) “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments.” Psalm 119:20. This is the spirit of wrestling prayer, such as was possessed by the royal psalmist. (4T 534.2) MC VC

Daniel prayed to God, not exalting himself or claiming any goodness: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God.” Daniel 9:19. This is what James calls the effectual, fervent prayer. Of Christ it is said: “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” Luke 22:44. In what contrast to this intercession by the Majesty of heaven are the feeble, heartless prayers that are offered to God. Many are content with lip service, and but few have a sincere, earnest, affectionate longing after God. (4T 534.3) MC VC

Communion with God imparts to the soul an intimate knowledge of His will. But many who profess the faith know not what true conversion is. They have no experience in communion with the Father through Jesus Christ, and have never felt the power of divine grace to sanctify the heart. Praying and sinning, sinning and praying, their lives are full of malice, deceit, envy, jealousy, and self-love. The prayers of this class are an abomination to God. True prayer engages the energies of the soul and affects the life. He who thus pours out his wants before God feels the emptiness of everything else under heaven. “All my desire is before Thee,” said David, “and my groaning is not hid from Thee.”(Psalm 38:9) “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”(Psalm 42:2) “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me.” Psalm 42:4. (4T 534.4) MC VC