There are four principles for Christians to follow by which they might be strengthened in their faith. The first principle is to read the Bible and meditate upon it. God becomes know to us through prayer and meditation upon His word. Secondly, seek to maintain an upright heart and a good conscience. The third principle is this, if you desire your faith to be strengthened you should not shrink from opportunities where your faith may be tried. Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats are the very food of faith. Remember the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. The last importance principle is to let God work for you. When the hour of trial comes do not work a deliverance of your own. The greater the difficulty to be overcome the more it will be seen to the glory of God how much can be done through prayer and faith.
Seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state where it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lords will whatever it may be. Having done this I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impressions. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions. Then I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in connection with the word of God. The Spirit and the word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the word I leave myself open to great delusions also. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These plainly indicate Gods will in connection with His word and Spirit. Then I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me. Thus through prayer to God, the study of the word, and reflection I come to a deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge. And if my mind is thus at peace and continues so after two or three petitions, I proceed accordingly.
The anointing of the Holy Spirit helps me greatly when I preach. I would never attempt to teach the truth of God by my own power. One day before preaching at Teignmouth, I had more time than usual, so I prayed and meditated for six hours in preparation for the evening meeting. After I had spoken a little while, I felt that I was speaking in my own strength rather than God's power. I told the brethren that I felt as though I was not preaching under the anointing and asked them to pray. After I continued a little longer, I felt the same and therefore ended my sermon and proposed that we have a meeting for prayer. We did so, and I was particularly assisted by the Holy Spirit the next time I preached. I am glad that I learned the importance of ministering in God's power alone. I can do all things through Christ, but without Him, I can accomplish nothing.