It seems to me that one of things happening with the new awakening in prayer, is that we are learning that ....we need to keep learning!
We need to learn THIS season's lingo, language or expressions - so that we can be 'relevant' to the world around us. Some of us may think we don't need to, but we do! Here's great example: My husband's family speaks German - they're back ground is Mennonite. He remembers as young child, the family speaking German when they gathered for meals. Eventually over the years, that practise faded out. Recently my husband's mother moved in with us, and he began speaking German to her again, just for a fun thing for them to do. A couple of years ago, as we traveled to a Pastor and Leader's conference and me a pastor from Germany. My husband began to use some of his German on him, and this guy just started laughing. He told my husband that the German he was speaking was 'very old'...like King James English would be to today's English. What we learned from that is that my husband's family, was still using the language that they'd known since they immigrated from Russia - over 80 years ago!
See, language changes! We need to stay current with our language so that we can be relevant! Wilbur Wilberforce, awoke a sleeping giant in England, when he fought the slave trade through changing the culture of a nation! He won over politicians because he knew how to speak the Gospel, without quoting the Bible. He knew how to make relevant to the culture he was influencing, kingdom principals! He learned to speak their language!
As the Sleeping Giant wakes up....we are going to have to learn to speak to the youth in today's language. We are going to have to speak to World, in language they'll understand. We are going to have to speak to businessman, athletes , governments, in language they'll understand. AND WHEN WE DO......we'll take territory, and influence this world in ways we can't even imagine!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Move over.....
There does seem to be more and more people sensing a new stirring in prayer! That to me is so exciting. At the same time, I can see where I beleive the next challenge will be!
There have been a number of moves of prayer, since I started praying. Each move has gotten it's own style and in some cases, even it's own language. Each move has brought an increased awareness of prayer and revealed more understanding of the power of prayer. The other thing I love, is that most of the moves I've been in have either increased the personal power of prayer, or the corporate power of prayer. Soooooooooo...that's all good, right?
The one thing I think we, as prayer people need to be aware of is, NOT to hang onto our personal styles and in doing so, MISS a new move of God. Sometimes that 'last move'...needs to move over, and make room for the 'new move'. We as older intercessors have got to let the generation express themselves in their language . We should act as mentors, and resources...and God willing, partners in the new move -willing to come alongside and be a part of the new season. It's hard tho. So often we are comfortable in how 'we' pray. We can become so comfortable in fact, that we try to train the new move to be exactly like the one that's already passed . We need to be careful that that we try to 'put on' an old garment because it's familar to us, when in actuality God is trying to do a NEW THING! You know the scripture,''behold I do a new thing, do you not percieve it?"
When this next wave hits....we need to, as older intercessors, ask God what our role will be and how to fit into the new season. I don't want to be passed by because I can adapt to the new thing! I don't want to not recognize the new thing, because I'm waiting for the old to keep reappearing!
Let's be prepared to 'move over'...and make room for the new thing...and all those amazing new and young intercessors God wants to raise up. THIS IS the answer to our prayers! Don't let style..and language or fear of change, make us miss it....
There have been a number of moves of prayer, since I started praying. Each move has gotten it's own style and in some cases, even it's own language. Each move has brought an increased awareness of prayer and revealed more understanding of the power of prayer. The other thing I love, is that most of the moves I've been in have either increased the personal power of prayer, or the corporate power of prayer. Soooooooooo...that's all good, right?
The one thing I think we, as prayer people need to be aware of is, NOT to hang onto our personal styles and in doing so, MISS a new move of God. Sometimes that 'last move'...needs to move over, and make room for the 'new move'. We as older intercessors have got to let the generation express themselves in their language . We should act as mentors, and resources...and God willing, partners in the new move -willing to come alongside and be a part of the new season. It's hard tho. So often we are comfortable in how 'we' pray. We can become so comfortable in fact, that we try to train the new move to be exactly like the one that's already passed . We need to be careful that that we try to 'put on' an old garment because it's familar to us, when in actuality God is trying to do a NEW THING! You know the scripture,''behold I do a new thing, do you not percieve it?"
When this next wave hits....we need to, as older intercessors, ask God what our role will be and how to fit into the new season. I don't want to be passed by because I can adapt to the new thing! I don't want to not recognize the new thing, because I'm waiting for the old to keep reappearing!
Let's be prepared to 'move over'...and make room for the new thing...and all those amazing new and young intercessors God wants to raise up. THIS IS the answer to our prayers! Don't let style..and language or fear of change, make us miss it....
Monday, February 6, 2012
Waking up!
There seems to be a new stirring in the area of prayer, these days! Anyone else feeling it? As I've begun to listen to different ones either feeling called back to prayer, or hearing about new people asking to learn about prayer, I've sensed the same thing; stay awake!
What does that mean? Well, simply this! It's one thing to be asleep and have someone or something 'wake you up'. It's another thing to answer that call, and stay awake..or better yet 'get up'! When people have been turned off of prayer for a long time, or when they haven't prayed in a group for quite a while, it's going to take discipline to get back into the rhythm of prayer! The initial answer to the call is just the first step. The next step is get out of your comfort zone, and respond! Like the person who's having a wonderful sleep. You call them..and they can answer you - my teenagers do this all the time!' Yup! I heard you. I'm getting up!'..and then they go right back to sleep! Unless they actually get out of their comfort zone - which in their case , is that wonderful cozy comforter they're under - they will get lulled right back to sleep. We can do the same thing!
We hear the spirit of the Lord say ' Come! Get up and pray!'....or ' Wake up!'..and we initially get stirred! ' I hear you Lord! I'm coming!'...but we don't change our position or move from our comfort zone..and slowly we get lulled back to sleep, or spiritual dullness.
How do we change our position? Do something you haven't done before - get out of the house...or join with a group. Find another friend to pray with you. Be accountable with someone for your prayer time.
But staying in our own little world will just lull u back to sleep.
So intercessors...before you can wake up a sleeping giant...you'd better make sure you're awake first!
What does that mean? Well, simply this! It's one thing to be asleep and have someone or something 'wake you up'. It's another thing to answer that call, and stay awake..or better yet 'get up'! When people have been turned off of prayer for a long time, or when they haven't prayed in a group for quite a while, it's going to take discipline to get back into the rhythm of prayer! The initial answer to the call is just the first step. The next step is get out of your comfort zone, and respond! Like the person who's having a wonderful sleep. You call them..and they can answer you - my teenagers do this all the time!' Yup! I heard you. I'm getting up!'..and then they go right back to sleep! Unless they actually get out of their comfort zone - which in their case , is that wonderful cozy comforter they're under - they will get lulled right back to sleep. We can do the same thing!
We hear the spirit of the Lord say ' Come! Get up and pray!'....or ' Wake up!'..and we initially get stirred! ' I hear you Lord! I'm coming!'...but we don't change our position or move from our comfort zone..and slowly we get lulled back to sleep, or spiritual dullness.
How do we change our position? Do something you haven't done before - get out of the house...or join with a group. Find another friend to pray with you. Be accountable with someone for your prayer time.
But staying in our own little world will just lull u back to sleep.
So intercessors...before you can wake up a sleeping giant...you'd better make sure you're awake first!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Wake a Giant - break a Mindset
Rom.12:2 "and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Wanna wake a giant? You need to be transformed to do this job! One of the ways we to wake up this 'sleeping giant' is to fight against a worldly mindset. What is that? Well, when I think of a worldly mindset I think of something that is humanistic, carnal, self-centered ( or self-focused) - and THAT is not a mind that is SET on the things of God. How do we get a mind that's set on God? I don't believe that you can break a worldly mindset with just one thing...or with just one prayer. I do believe tho, that we can be free of a worldly mindset by practising prayer more, reading the Bible more, sharing our testimony with others ( testimonies that glorify GOD and what HE has done in our life)..and DOING the gospel. What's that? It's simple..it's what Jesus told his disciples ' go out into all the world and teach them what I have taught/shown you - to heal the sick, preach the gospel ' etc.! Every time we step into authentic Kingdom stuff, we break down that worldly mindset!
Jesus did the same thing - ever noticed that? He was sent into a religious world that had very narrow views on things. He broke that mindset by praying, preaching and doing!
It doesn't really matter if someone believes God heals, if they witness a sick person BEING healed! That miracle can breakthrough an unbelieving heart and break a mindset! Two miracles for the price of one. Two miracles that could happen through your simple obedience - go and pray!
BUT...we cannot break the mindsets of those around us, until we break our own mindsets. Again, the way to do it is to practise being in His presence, learning to hear His voice and obeying. Praying more - especially when he tells us too. Reading the Word more - so we know WHO we are praying to and how to pray. Being willing to share our stories! People can argue doctrine and theology, but they can't argue your experience - it's just that, YOURS!
So, wanna wake a giant? Break a mindset first!
Wanna wake a giant? You need to be transformed to do this job! One of the ways we to wake up this 'sleeping giant' is to fight against a worldly mindset. What is that? Well, when I think of a worldly mindset I think of something that is humanistic, carnal, self-centered ( or self-focused) - and THAT is not a mind that is SET on the things of God. How do we get a mind that's set on God? I don't believe that you can break a worldly mindset with just one thing...or with just one prayer. I do believe tho, that we can be free of a worldly mindset by practising prayer more, reading the Bible more, sharing our testimony with others ( testimonies that glorify GOD and what HE has done in our life)..and DOING the gospel. What's that? It's simple..it's what Jesus told his disciples ' go out into all the world and teach them what I have taught/shown you - to heal the sick, preach the gospel ' etc.! Every time we step into authentic Kingdom stuff, we break down that worldly mindset!
Jesus did the same thing - ever noticed that? He was sent into a religious world that had very narrow views on things. He broke that mindset by praying, preaching and doing!
It doesn't really matter if someone believes God heals, if they witness a sick person BEING healed! That miracle can breakthrough an unbelieving heart and break a mindset! Two miracles for the price of one. Two miracles that could happen through your simple obedience - go and pray!
BUT...we cannot break the mindsets of those around us, until we break our own mindsets. Again, the way to do it is to practise being in His presence, learning to hear His voice and obeying. Praying more - especially when he tells us too. Reading the Word more - so we know WHO we are praying to and how to pray. Being willing to share our stories! People can argue doctrine and theology, but they can't argue your experience - it's just that, YOURS!
So, wanna wake a giant? Break a mindset first!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sad statistic
I just received an email today that said the newest stats say that 60% of pastors or those in church leadership, are caught up in some form of addiction to pornography! That broke my heart! How can we expect the Church to be effective if our leaders have been taken captive by sin? Worse yet, how they help set the captives free, when they are in bondage? Seriously...one prisoner can not loose another prisoner!
While we all ache for revival....we need to realise that it requires at return to holiness and righteousness. When it comes, there will be not only conviction of sin...but I believe that there will be exposure of sin too. God is merciful...and He, in his mercy will offer a way of escape BUT eventually there will be a time when in order to answer the cries for revival, that He will have to expose those things that are hindering our prayers!
So..while we pray for the Sleeping Giant to awaken....we'd better take stock in our lives of any places we've compromised with sin. I do not intend for people to become fearful...or become the Holy Spirit police regarding other people and their decision. I do intend to remind us, as prayer people, that we need to keep our hearts pure too...our thoughts...our actions in line with His heart for this world, so that our prayer will not only be fervent, but effective!
While we all ache for revival....we need to realise that it requires at return to holiness and righteousness. When it comes, there will be not only conviction of sin...but I believe that there will be exposure of sin too. God is merciful...and He, in his mercy will offer a way of escape BUT eventually there will be a time when in order to answer the cries for revival, that He will have to expose those things that are hindering our prayers!
So..while we pray for the Sleeping Giant to awaken....we'd better take stock in our lives of any places we've compromised with sin. I do not intend for people to become fearful...or become the Holy Spirit police regarding other people and their decision. I do intend to remind us, as prayer people, that we need to keep our hearts pure too...our thoughts...our actions in line with His heart for this world, so that our prayer will not only be fervent, but effective!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Prayer Meetings...
So, we want to get this Sleeping Giant awake.
But what are we doing, that seems to be keeping 'it' alseep? Why haven't we been able to wake this giant up? Here's some thoughts on that question.
Could it be, that as much as we all profess to want to wake prayer up in our churches, and our cities, I have to ask first..how is our personal prayer life? You can't 'wake up' in others, what is still asleep in you!
Also, many times we go about our daily Christian walk, with unresolved differences, offenses, or down right rebellion, in our own hearts, and yet, we think that those things are not hindering the release of prayer in us, and around us. Not true!
Lastly, do we want to wake up people to pray 'our' way? Or are we seriously wanting God to wake us up to the prayer He is calling His people to. Will be be willing to change our way, or our favorite style of prayer, to learn a new one? Will we embrace something that is out of our comfort zone? Or will we judge others because they pray one way, and we pray another?
James 4: 2-3 Tells us to be aware of having wrong desires. It speaks to us about lusting, fighting and coveting. It goes on to say that we aren't getting what we pray for because we are praying from wrong motives, and wrong objectives. We pray to satisfy our own pleasure, our own flesh. It is saying, that our prayers are selfish. Ouch!!
If we want to wake up this Sleeping Giant, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to refocus the way we come to God. He will give us 1. the right desire - intimacy with the Father and 2. the right motive - to glorify God and 3. the right objective - to do God's will!
Remember we want to pray with a pure heart. We want to pray with power. We want to pray with persistence.
But what are we doing, that seems to be keeping 'it' alseep? Why haven't we been able to wake this giant up? Here's some thoughts on that question.
Could it be, that as much as we all profess to want to wake prayer up in our churches, and our cities, I have to ask first..how is our personal prayer life? You can't 'wake up' in others, what is still asleep in you!
Also, many times we go about our daily Christian walk, with unresolved differences, offenses, or down right rebellion, in our own hearts, and yet, we think that those things are not hindering the release of prayer in us, and around us. Not true!
Lastly, do we want to wake up people to pray 'our' way? Or are we seriously wanting God to wake us up to the prayer He is calling His people to. Will be be willing to change our way, or our favorite style of prayer, to learn a new one? Will we embrace something that is out of our comfort zone? Or will we judge others because they pray one way, and we pray another?
James 4: 2-3 Tells us to be aware of having wrong desires. It speaks to us about lusting, fighting and coveting. It goes on to say that we aren't getting what we pray for because we are praying from wrong motives, and wrong objectives. We pray to satisfy our own pleasure, our own flesh. It is saying, that our prayers are selfish. Ouch!!
If we want to wake up this Sleeping Giant, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to refocus the way we come to God. He will give us 1. the right desire - intimacy with the Father and 2. the right motive - to glorify God and 3. the right objective - to do God's will!
Remember we want to pray with a pure heart. We want to pray with power. We want to pray with persistence.
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