- Share a story about some of the tools you have used to see God's kingdom come in a prayer situation.
- Are there other tools you "earnestly desire"?
- Have you seen God's miracles in the marketplace? If so, explain.
Try the following exercise this week:
-Purpose to pray for anyone God brings across you path.
- Try to focus on the person and not on your doubts and insecurities as you listen to God.
- If no opportunity comes this week, ask again next week.
- Continue until you see something happen in this regard.
I have experienced God's words of knowledge many times. I remember one week at church when everyone I prayed for I received words for everyone I prayed for that were accurate. It was very encouraging, almost to the point that I wanted to go and pray for more and more people. Maybe that week I was particularly obedient and not out on my own. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteAs far as tools I desire, I desire prophecy. I want to hear God's voice and speak it out clearly. I want to hear all of the good that he has for myself and others, and then to share it with them. I feel that this will build faith in myself, unbelievers and believers alike. This has been on my heart for some time now, and I am not really sure what to do with it. Maybe I need to be more intentional about listening to the Lord, or maybe I just need to wait for his timing, or maybe I need to just be more obedient to when he does speak, at least when I think he does. I will just have to try this little challenge and pray for someone this week outsude of a church setting. And just go for it. I think, just like Melanie and Bobby said last week, I just should start risking, and maybe one day I will understand my place in praying for others.
I too have had quite a few experiences with words of knowledge and also prophetic pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a really long time to step out in this. The first time I shared a picture was about 4 years ago in a small group led by Pete and Amy Druck. During prayer, I kept getting a picture of a gremlin, the little green monster, not the car, so that's exactly what I said. I'd love to tell you that it spoke to someone so deeply that they bawled and started following Jesus because of it, but that would be a lie. Actually, it was really quiet for a while, then a girl in the group very graciously said that she had a gremlin backpack when she was growing up that she really liked. That was it. Nothing really came of it, but at the same time, I didn't die which I thought might happen if I spoke up. Since then, I've had better experiences but still have those duds. It doesn't hurt that much anymore. I'm better at realizing that the onus is on God to actually do something miraculous, not myself.
As I read this chapter though, I realized that I pretty much only risk in this way during small group or other church gatherings. I'm glad that we have small groups as a safe place to do this, but I was really challenged to step out and think about how this could happen regardless of where I am. I'm not very good at listening to God when I'm not focused so I think that will be my desire, is to try and listen for God where ever I am. It's not quite as safe as a small group environment, but I don't think God cares so much about my definition of safety.
It seems like there is some interest though specifically in the area of the gift of prophecy. Would anyone be interested in participating in a class or group that revolves around this? I don't think this sort of thing is going on now, but I've attended some in the past and it really helped me. Also I'd suggest reading Jack Deere's book "Surprised by the Voice of God". It's not the most well-written but helps give context for these things.
I've only recently started praying for people on Sunday. Before that it was primarily just within small group, and even it was more following alng and going through the motions without really connection to what God was doing.
ReplyDeleteBut over the last year I've sense that I've grown in the area of prayer, in both my own life and in praying for others. There was a time a few months ago when Zack invited some people over to watch a film called "Finger of God". I actually thought it was some sort of scary movie, so I jumped at the opportunity. Turns I was WAY off and it was a documentary about God moving and healing in various people's lives. The film showed a lot of the types of stories that the book says. Well, afterwards the rest of the group was inspired to go downtown and pray. I really didn't want to at first, but I went along mainly because I didn't' have anything else to do. Right before we left, Mark felt lead to pray for healing in Jackson's leg, since he had injured it. We all gathered around and started praying, even myself. Well, to my surprise God DID heal him at that very moment and there was no pain in his leg afterwards. Then we left for a "treasure hunt" downtown, in which I had the opportuniuty to pray for some healing and addictions. I don't know if anything happend with the people I met or not, but just stepping out was a BIG thing for me. Normally I'm scared to death to talk about anything related to Jesus.
As for the gifts that I desire, I really don't know. I do like praying for others and seeing changes in them. Maybe discovered a latent gift of prayer or faith. I'm not sure. Healings was always something I see happen to "other people" and it was the "superchristians" who were praying for them. Only recently have I been able to see God work through me, at least with me recognizing it.
When I first started serving on a prophetic prayer team I used to get "tiny" messages. I felt they weren't very significant, especially when I prayed on a team with others who would practically deliver a novel, with footnotes and scriptures to back the message. One night I was ministering with some women who had an amazing gift. As usual I had a message that could only be called Terse; but the recipient singled me out and thanked me with a tear in her eye.
ReplyDeleteSometimes what we think is insignificant means the world to the one recieving. I love sharing prophecy because of the hope & comfort it brings people.
I'd love to have the gift of tongues. My friends that have it say it makes their prayer life so much more rich.