Prayer our most important conversation

TODAY’S FOCUS Praying with Passion and Faith

I Thessalonians chapter 5 verses Amplified Version

16 Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 Amplified Bible

Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:4-7Amplified Bible

“Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see”. Hebrews 11:1

Margaret’s cry to the Lord Lord there must be something I can do. Somewhere in the world that you can use me. I’m just a Hairdresser.

Margaret’s cry to the Lord Three weeks later... Margaret heard about Rahab Ministries, when Patricia Green came to Te Puke. The ‘Front Door’ of Rahab - the way of ministering to the women in the Bars, was a Hairdressing Salon

Three weeks later... Margaret heard about Rahab Ministries, when Patricia Green came to Te Puke. The ‘Front Door’ of Rahab - the way of ministering to the women in the Bars, was a Hairdressing Salon Clearly this was it - God’s answer to Margaret’s Cry Da...Daaaaaaaaa ! ! ! Here I am ! ! !

Margaret was absolutely shocked. She had been so positive Patricia coming to Te Puke The Salon Margaret’s Prayer 3 weeks before She had never even heard of Rahab before this But “NO” from God AND from Patricia

Margaret’s cry to the Lord Then, eight years later God’s perfect Timing

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the L ORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

If you really feel it is ‘of the Lord’ Then... Trust God Keep the Passion Keep Praying Keep believing that ‘in God’s Timing’ it will happen – be that in 8 years or even longer

Two things I am absolutely sure of... Before the beginning of time... And... But with Hindsight I am equally sure that if we had gone when Margaret first prayed, and not waited for God’s perfect timing, it would have been a disaster.

My Second Story

“By all means, Pray for people as often as you like, but COMMIT to Praying for people AS AND WHEN GOD PUTS THEM ON YOUR MIND. And do it then and there ! - my friend EVAN CARR Prayer does not only ‘Change Lives’ It SAVES LIVES.

Praying with Passion and Faith 1995 – Prayer in preparation for my first Mission visit to India

Prayers by our group, every Friday, 6am -7.30am for about 9 months Amazing answers to our Prayers – both in NZ and in India Prophesying, Dreams, Visions, Words of Knowledge, Words of Encouragement and much more. Great impact-great answers. A simple question that I put to God: “Lord, how come... ?

God’s simple Answer as clear in my mind, as if God spoke out the words

“When have you prayed with as much Passion and Faith, for Te Puke, as you have for your trip to India ?” Ooooops !

Are there things that you are praying for, and longing to see answered, but that seem to be becalmed ? Could the Passion and Faith of your Prayers have waned ?

Praying with such passion, power and authority, in the same Holy Spirit Resurrection POWER and AUTHORITY as WE have, as adults. Children do not have a ‘children’s size’ Holy Spirit within them – half the size and a quarter the Power. As Christians, adults and children alike, we have the ONE TRUE Holy Spirit. We need to keep telling them this and assuring them, and encouraging them.

two stories That God answers our Prayers in amazing ways Don’t LIMIT God Remember those verses from Isaiah 55 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the L ORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Faith Outreach Bible College

Let our Prayers be Prayers of Passion and Faith.