Partners in Prayer and Evangelism: HOPE EVERYWHERE  The vision  The challenge  The strategy

In the year before the 1902 Melbourne revival there were about 1700 organised prayer groups across the city and every home was visited twice. The Welsh (1904) and Azusa St (1906) revivals followed...  The vision: The Role of Houses of Prayer in Revival.

We invite you to reflect prayerfully on a Vision of Melbourne received by Rod Schneider in Contact:

Rod Schneider’s Vision - Part 1 I saw an aerial view of Melbourne. I was above the city looking down. The city looked like a street map. I saw dots all over the city and sensed God was saying “Each dot is a Christian group, home group, prayer group, small group, cell group or house church meeting regularly”.

Vision - Part 1 Note – in the actual vision, there were many more dots in and around Melbourne!

Vision - Part 2 Starting from the aerial view, the vision zoomed all the way in to just my small, local neighbourhood. I was surprised to see there were several Christian groups meeting in my street and in the local streets surrounding my home. I was unaware they were meeting in my local neighbourhood, and they were also unaware that I was in their neighbourhood.

Vision - Part 2 The dots are different colours because each of the Christian groups meeting near my home were from different denominations, churches or congregations. They were all meeting and praying independently of each other.

Vision - Part 3 God’s hand came down from heaven to join the dots. People from different Christian groups started meeting to pray together for their neighbourhood. It didn’t matter which church or denomination the people were from because their prayer focus was on the local families, the local businesses, the local schools. God was joining His Church together at the grassroots!

Vision - Part 4 Revival fires started burning and spreading through my local neighbourhood! Many people were coming to faith in Jesus Christ through local prayer and evangelism. Many people were healed, local businesses were prospering, local schools were safe, relationships were restored, love, joy, peace and God’s blessing was being poured out in abundance.

Vision - Part 5 The vision zoomed all the way back out to the aerial view of the whole city of Melbourne. Revival fires started burning in every neighbourhood of the city where people from different Christian groups were meeting to pray together for their neighbours. Wherever Christians collectively took responsibility for their own local neighborhood together, God was blessing their neighourhood and many of their neighbours were coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

Vision - Part 5

Vision - Part 6 Christian leaders in and around the neighbourhoods experiencing revival heard about and saw what God was doing through the local praying Christians. The most beautiful thing happened! Together, the leaders in each region joyfully laid down their churches and ministries at the feet of Jesus, declaring in one accord “We Give You Your Church Jesus!” The leaders began to meet together regularly to pray and bless what God was doing in their neighbourhoods. None of the Christian leaders wanted to control what God was doing. As the leaders prayed together, the fires burned hotter and hotter and the revivals became like bushfires spreading across the city of Melbourne.

Vision - Part 6

Vision - Part 7 The vision ended with the whole city of Melbourne burning with revival fires! God had answered the prayers of His people. Many prophecies over the city of Melbourne were fulfilled at this time. Jeremiah 33:11 – the sounds of joy and gladness will be heard, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land' says the LORD.

Partners in Prayer  The challenge: HOPE overcoming darkness…

Will HOPE come to your neighbourhood in 2013?

 The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so.. they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. 2Cor they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. 2Cor 4:4  I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light & from the power of Satan to God. from darkness to light & from the power of Satan to God. Acts 26:17-18, Luke 10:2-3  The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you... his harvest field. Go! I am sending you... Luke 10:1-3

Jesus’ presence and rule is released when we pray in His Name – in agreement with His will and each other. Matthew 18:18-20

& justice inance churcheseducation families charities When we each become light in our own sphere of influence - neighbourhood, workplace etc - our cities and nations will be transformed! law & justice f inance churches education government sport & recreation health business families community service charities creative arts media entertainment

Partners in Prayer  The strategy: Houses of Prayer releasing Jesus’ kingdom rule in our neighbourhoods, regions and nation!

HOPE: Houses Of Prayer Everywhere Jesus said, My House will be called a My House will be called a House of Prayer for All Peoples. House of Prayer for All Peoples. Mark 11:17 Orthodox Jewish Bible Mark 11:17 Orthodox Jewish Bible

HOPE: Houses of Prayer Everywhere - blessing your neighbourhood, region and nation.  We bless the Lord – through worship, adoration and thanksgiving.  We declare God’s blessing – voicing in prayer our faith in His character, Biblical promises, and leading.  We speak blessing – natural encouragement within authentic relationships with local people.  We are a blessing – acting kindly and releasing Jesus’ power for healing, provision, miracles, healing of land, economy etc. Numbers 6:22-27, 1Peter 2:5,9, Deut 33:13-16, 2Chronicles 7:14-15

Example: A Daily Prayer of Blessing for each area: We stand in the mighty name of Jesus and bless you (name of area.) That you might prosper under the mighty hand of God. We bless you that justice and righteousness might take their proper place within your boundaries. We bless you that the favour of the Lord might rest upon you and give you peace. We bless you that the Father’s compassion might fall upon your people. We bless your poor that they might be lifted up. We bless you that the knowledge of Jesus might come in amongst you like a flood. We bless the people of God in (name of area) that they might rise up with servant authority and become a people of blessing. We bless you that the joy of the Lord might be your strength. Amen. From Ffald-y-Brenin Christian Retreat Centre & House of Prayer.

HOPE: Houses of Prayer Everywhere - blessing your neighbourhood, region and nation. Step 1: LOVE GOD: Jesus’ House of Prayer. Step 2: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR: Local Houses of Prayer. Step 3: LOVE ONE ANOTHER: Regional House of Prayer Gatherings. National House of Prayer Gatherings. Online House of Prayer.

Partner through prayer with God: 1.Be set apart as His children, His temple. 2.Worship and bless the Lord 3. FILL with His blessing, His life-giving love, grace, leading, favour, power and authority. Mark 12:30, 1Kings 8: 29 &16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 43, 44,48, Psalms 103KJV, Romans 8:14-15, Romans 15:13,1Corinthians 6:16-19, Step 1: LOVE GOD: Be Jesus’ House of Prayer.

Step 2: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR: Local Houses of Prayer Partner in prayer with locals: in homes, churches, workplaces, schools… to OVERFLOW God’s blessings to your neighbours and neighbourhoods because He loves them so much. Mark 12:31, Ezekial 47, Matthew 10:8, Romans 15:13, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 10, John 3:16-17

Step 3: LOVE ONE ANOTHER: Partner in prayer with the body of Christ:  Regional House of Prayer & Worship gatherings to RELEASE Jesus’ blessing and rule. John 13:34-35, 15:17, Deut 33:13-16 See His Face, Lilydale region October 2012 River of Life Conference, Melbourne 9-10 May 2013

 National House of Prayer Gatherings to RELEASE Jesus’ blessing and rule. Partner in prayer with the Body of Christ:

 Online House of Prayer. Praying in agreement online to RELEASE Jesus’ blessing and rule

Who will benefit? Being God’s House of Prayer:  will change your life, enabling you to: love God with all your heart, mind, strength love your neighbour from the overflow love the Church – as Jesus does.  will strengthen the local church and plant new churches active in worship, prayer, discipleship, evangelism, social action.  will stimulate regional & national church collaboration coordinated prayer and worship events cooperative social action and evangelism.  will bring life giving transformation to whole communities, our land, economy etc.

For more depth we recommend:   Luke 10!  A Simple Guide to Establishing a Local House of Prayer: Booklet & Set of 4 CDs.*  Daily Rhythm of Prayer.*  Introduction to Blessing.* * available from Partners in Prayer.  The Grace Outpouring: Blessing Others Through Prayer. The amazing story of what God’s work at Ffald-y-Brenin. by Roy Godwin & Dave Roberts. – available from Koorong, Word & online.

 Ffald-y-Brenin Resources  Ongoing Support for Houses of Prayer Sue Tinworth “Glory to Your Name, Jesus! Your kingdom come in every part of our nation!”