We are to obey: “A true knowledge of the Bible can be gained only through the aid of that Spirit by whom the Word was given. And in order to gain this knowledge we must live by it. All that God's Word commands, we are to obey. All that it promises, we may claim.”—Education, 189CWG 48.3

Understanding through prayer: “The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to comprehend God's Word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises.”—The Great Controversy, 599, 600CWG 48.4

Singleness of purpose: “An understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness.”—The Great Controversy, 599CWG 48.5

Meditate upon His love: “God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier, our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of the Scriptures.”—Christ's Object Lessons, 60CWG 48.6

Walk in the light: “Walk continually in the light of God. Meditate day and night upon His character. Then you will see His beauty and rejoice in His goodness. Your heart will glow with a sense of His love. You will be uplifted as if borne by everlasting arms. With the power and light that God imparts, you can comprehend more and accomplish more than you ever before deemed possible.”—The Ministry of Healing, 514CWG 49.1

Meditate on the perfection of the Saviour: “As we meditate upon the perfection of the Saviour, we shall desire to be wholly transformed, and renewed in the image of His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world.”—Steps to Christ, 89CWG 49.2

The most solemn period of the world's history: “We are living in the most solemn period of this world's history.... We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His Word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the thing of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan's enchanted ground.”—The Great Controversy, 601CWG 49.3

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

If we really want purity of heart, higher, cleaner and holier thoughts, then we need to meditate daily (and when we cannot sleep at night) on the life of Christ. By beholding we will become changed, renewed and our mind will be reprogrammed to the image of His purity.CWG 49.4

If we don't seem to be able to think clean thoughts and develop a Christlike character, then we need to meditate on God's Word, and fast and pray for more divine help.CWG 49.5

Philippians 4:8 gives us concrete suggestions what we should think about, concentrate and meditate on. The result will be a life that reflects Christ's character.CWG 49.6

Chapter 17—Persevering Prayer

Chapter 19—Angel Ministry in Prayer