Will Just One Prayer Do?!?!

Luke 18:1

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

(Parable found in Luke 18:1-8)

How often do we think one prayer will do?  That if God doesn't answer it the first time we pray, He won't answer it at all?  How often do we overcomplicate prayer by thinking that with everything we need prayer for - ourselves or praying for other people, that talking to God once about it will suffice?  How often do we think we're becoming a burden or being a nuisance by constantly praying, asking, seeking God on a topic or two?

I know I've often thought and believed this, but oh how it is a lie! 

God wants us to ask! 

Does it not say is Matthew 7:7 to ask, seek, and knock?  Ask God.  Seek Him.  And talk to Him about it using His Word and continually knocking until the door is open?  Did Jesus not provide a parable for His disciples to not give up on praying and seeking God and His will no matter what?

If we gave into fully believing the lies earlier written wouldn't we in some ways be taking the control that we're trying to surrender to God back into our own hands? God wants us to continually commune with Him. He wants us to keep asking, seeking and knocking. Sometimes it is not the first prayer answered, but the hundredth. The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much - persistent in all their ways. 

*Amy, the women's Director and a growing friend, whom I'm respecting more and more each day, here at Strong Tower, often says how thankful she is that her mum prayed the whole 10 years she (Amy) struggled with her addiction and didn't stop praying for her after nine years. How that we too need to hold steadfast in the Lord and trust in Him   Continue asking, seeking and knocking at His door. 

Pastor Michael Adams, the founder and pastor of Strong Tower, recently shared in class about how prayer isn't duty-bound, but that it's faith.  

Prayer is abiding in God and trusting in Him. Trusting that He'll answer our prayers and believing that He hears us. 

Romans 8:22-27 (NIV)

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Prayer motivates our spirit and it gives permission for God to move. 

It is and can be a great struggle but it's also a great privilege. No matter how hard it is we should always continue to pray and hold onto God. He is our Rock and He's always listening.  He just wants us to open up to Him.  Why not start now?

NOTE (26 December 2013) 

* Amy is no longer at Strong Tower - this also means she is no longer the women's director either. Keep her in your prayers. 

Rahab Prayer

Our compassion team is a part of something really exciting right now. Two of the staff members, one of which is staffing the compassion dts (Faith), are pioneering something called the Rahab Ministry. This ministry focuses on going into brothels (as prostitution is legal in Australia), making the prostitutes realise they're special, that they don't need to perform sex to be accepted, that they're worthy and that there is a better life, outside of the sex industry. This is demonstrated through quality time, gifts, genuine love, and sharing the gospel (and the Father's love) amongst other things.

Yesterday we prayed outside a brothel called 'One one one' in Islington, which was surrounded by parks, antique shops and children's laughter (from neighbouring houses). One thing that surprised me was the fact that there was no mention of the word 'brothel' in any of their outside signs. It can be found online and in the yellow pages where there is abundant sources of information and links (not that I've looked). But apart from knowing what the name stood for, it was almost indistinguishable from any other building; and it made me wonder how many building are like that all over Australia? How many women feel trapped or feel like they can't do any better, so they turn to prostitution? How many underagers see it as a good profession to get into, or again feel worthless and the only purpose they have in life (which could pay the big bucks) and lie about their age to get in? I think it's something God may be igniting in me, I don't know, but it's sad to know that this is happening in our Australian cities; this is happening all around the world; this is happening today... IT IS REALITY!!!

Prayer Points!!!

On the right side of the blog, just above 'Followers' and 'Follow by E-mail', there is now a news feed of 'Prayer Points'. I will be adding to this frequently, with prayer points that you can pray for. It's quite exciting! Cheers!

(Picture taken from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh_eyqCjJ_KsSudLKCIAWjp0i9IWIdPWcoOvpueKx-WmUJ09pGSUzoxGV-fueqoI9q_VlYIp2j2qFVVZaZk69SaEwR5YgU9B2z-lEe4kcr-oIlsMjLpVqau3znqFn7cQqyzJAj3DEPCY2/s1600/prayer+requests_t.jpg)

Prayer and Praise Points (Friday 12th of August, 2011)

I'm wanting to create brief sections in my newsletters on prayer and praise points. Three points I need prayer on, and three praise points for either prayer being answered, or something else that has happened :)

For example, three prayer points for me at the moment are the following:
1. To have my heart opened, so that I can hear God, know that it's God, and accept that it's God. To also be still enough (which means being able to shut down my over-working ticker) and silent enough to hear Him.

2. To get my health in order - physical and mental. To be able to control my diabetes steadily and not have it do random psychotic abnormalities, as it is doing at the moment. To not have the fear of a hypoglycaemic leading up to YWAM and whilst I'm on YWAM... to be short, complete healing would be nice, but my faith at the moment doesn't see it being possible... Mentally, to get into a pattern of speaking words of life into my life, and not letting satan get such a grip of negativity, poor self-esteem, etc. To not allow the depression to take the reigns in my life, but God to be the master of the carriage!

3. To trust that God will have the remaining 61% come in. That the lecture fees I need before October 4th (which I think is around $900) will come in time, and that Centrelink stuff is sorted ASAP.


PRAISE POINTS

1. 39% of support has already been raised.

2. God has become more of a front runner in my daily life, rather than the 'thing' I turn to only once a day, or when things aren't working out.

3. I'm actually now more excited for YWAM... even though I'm a bit scared... I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing God's footprints and how, when and where He moves! (and also meeting some really cool people)! :P

So I'm hoping to have this section in each of the newsletters I send out, via email or snail, so that if you don't have time to read the whole newsletter, you can read the summary of what's happening and what needs to happen. You can also join me in prayer, if you desire... the more the merrier :)

If you have any prayer requests, please send me an email... I'm creating a 5 year old idea of a prayer chart which I'm hoping I can stick on my wall, or something, where it's there for me to see and pray whenever I have a spare second, and would love to know how you're going/what's happening in your life. Just a hello would even be nice :) Looking forward to hearing from you!

GBUG