top of page
5-13-29-Medium_edited.jpg

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

We're so glad you have decided to start off 2024 with a season of prayer and fasting. We want to encourage you to SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. One of the ways we do this is by prioritising our conversations with God. The following is an introduction to inspire us and remind us of the importance of WHY we should make prayer a priority. We will be sending out prayer points throughout the week on WhatsApp as well as devotions and testimonies to encourage you over the month of January. Let's take our foot off the brakes and accelerate into what God has for us in 2024 and beyond. We encourage you to join in the combined prayer nights on Tuesday nights, as well as the special Sacred Assembly on Saturday the 27th January at 8:30am at Newmarket - where we will be praying for God's kingdom to impact individual lives, our families, the Church, our city, nation and nations of the world.

Notes

Make Prayer your First Response - Not your last Resort.

Prayer is easier than you think and more important than you realise.

 

Many people view prayer as if it’s a special talent. Many of you have learned to pray because you grew up in church or because that's what your family did, but it may still seem awkward and unfamiliar. You may even feel that you're not much good at praying and just leave prayer to church meetings and meal times. OR some of you may regard prayer as a special skill that is for those who want to become prayer warriors. Many view prayer as a spiritual discipline - which of course it is - but it has never become something you particularly enjoy or do so spontaneously.

 

Others may consider prayer as a spiritual SOS - a cry for help in times of trouble or need - when you lose your job, receive a negative medical report or the car breaks down - that’s when you pray because circumstances are overwhelming.

 

Many Christians know they should pray and want to pray but don't understand what or how to pray. There are plenty of books on prayer and most of us are often inspired and want to make it part of our walk with God.

 

Prayer is simply talking with and listening to God.

 

But many times we don't know what to say when we pray and we don’t know how to prioritise prayer in our lives.

​

Often in times of crisis, prayer is the only thing we can do and it is always the best thing we can do. Too often prayer becomes our last resort. But God wants prayer to be our first response.

Let's Start Praying!

Prayer helps us to connect with God and confront the enemy.  It's an ongoing conversation with God about every area of our lives. In the Bible, prayer is not mentioned occasionally as an option or consideration; rather prayer is essential to KNOWING GOD. We are told -

 

  • To pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17) and

  • To be faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12), not just in church meetings and when we feel like it.

 

Although praying continually sounds challenging, connecting with God in every part of your day is incredibly worth it:

 

  • Prayer overcomes anxiety and fear

 

  • It keeps us anchored in the truth of God's word and helps us keep an eternal perspective, freeing us from temporary trials, worries and circumstances.

 

  • Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

 

  • 'The peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4:7)

 

  • We can offload our cares and give them to God.

 

  • Prayer connects us with God

 

  • Prayer keeps your faith alive and your hope in Christ strong and your relationship with God healthy.

 

  • So how can we make prayer a lifestyle of prayer, which is the secret to an authentic Christian life?

 

  • Once we realise how talking and listening to God draws us closer, we can enjoy the intimacy we've longed to experience. Only then can we know the peace that passes all human understanding (Phil.4:7) and take shelter in the covenantal love of our heavenly Father (Romans 8:38-39).

 

  • Prayer reveals God's purpose for our lives

 

  • Prayer can change us from the inside out as we experience more of who God is and less of who we are. It also helps us become more authentic as we discover God's unique purpose for our time here on earth.

 

  • Prayer empowers us to live supernaturally.

 

  • We can be naturally supernatural! Prayer is necessary because God calls us to do things that we can never accomplish on our own. In order to rely on His glorious unlimited resources and power (Ephesians 3:16), we need to be in constant communication. We need His help because our efforts aren't adequate.

 

  • God never intended for us to live a solely natural life - He wants us to live supernaturally. Prayer is that access point - to His power - where heaven touches earth, where we maintain our lifeline with our Creator, our Saviour and our Deliverer and Breakthrough.

 

  • God's word urges us:

    • To 'Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's WILL for you in Christ Jesus.' (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

    • Believers in the early church 'all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." (Acts 1:14)

    • New believers 'devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.' (Acts 2:42)

    • Most of all, Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. This model demonstrates how prayer can address all areas of our lives as we connect with GOD and immerse ourselves in His perspective.

What's the Frequency?

While we may be tempted to say God prefers quality over quantity when it comes to our prayers, I believe He wants both. The Bible makes it clear that emphasizing quantity alone is not the point. This kind of scorekeeping becomes legalistic, detached and obligatory. Praying just to check it off your to-do list misses the point and loses an opportunity to connect to your supernatural power source.

​

If keeping count is not the answer, then you might think it doesn't matter how often you pray, as long as you engage wholeheartedly when you do.  For example, Noah prayed in thanksgiving and praise when the floodwaters receded and his family were again on dry land. Hannah prayed diligently for the Lord to give her a son, which He did - the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1:9-19). Elijah prayed boldly for God to demonstrate His power over the false idols of Israel's king and queen (1 Kings 18).

​

However, we see Jesus demonstrating BOTH quality and consistency in His prayer life. Throughout his public ministry, Jesus took the time to withdraw from the crowds to connect with His Father: 'Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed' (Mark 1:35). Over and over, we see this pattern of Jesus making time to pray alone (Matthew 14:23; Luke 9:18, 22:39-41).

 

These are not the only times Jesus prayed, nor those individuals mentioned. Prayer was so closely interwoven into their lives that it blanketed all areas of who they were and what they did.  We find at least three dozen mentions in the Gospels of Jesus praying -

 

  • He prayed in public (John 11:41-42)

  • Before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12-13)

  • Before healing people (Mark 7:34-35)

  • After healing people (Luke 5:13-16)

  • When feeding the 5,000 (John 6:11)

 

Prayer must be a priority if you hope to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer.

Engaging purposefully and daily is key.

Without Ceasing

The early church believers devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42) and prayed continuously: "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers" (Acts 1:14).

​

The apostle Paul urged, "Rejoice in the Lord always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

 

If this amount of praying sounds unreasonable, if not impossible, to you, don’t worry - you're not alone. A new believer once asked, "How can I pray all the time and still get everything else done?" The pastor's answer to him reflects how we can make prayer a priority: "Pray as much as you can while you're doing everything else!"

 

If prayer is meant to be communion with God, then if  we do everything we do with God in mind - remaining mindful of His presence with us, His purpose for us, and His image in everyone we meet - then we can pray without ceasing, without it even being a question of quantity. This is how we pray "without ceasing."  Prayer should never turn into a game of tallying how many times we talk to God with our words rather than living in prayerful communion with God, which could ultimately become an improper reliance on works rather than receiving the gracious gift of His presence with us all the time. There's no 'right amount' of times to pray - that’s the point of learning to pray first. To make it practical - pray one sentence prayers throughout the day, literally in every situation. It is a constant conversation with God.

 

The goal is to make prayer a priority so that you don't miss out on deepening your relationship with God and enjoying all the benefits that go with it. Making it a priority requires being intentional and deliberate, which involves having a PLACE and Making a PLAN. Keep in mind, however, the goal of being focused and committed to prayer is RELATIONSHIP, not religion. Prayer is about our personal relationship with a personal God - who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - not fulfilling a mandatory ritual for its own sake.

 

Making prayer a PRIORITY ensures that you won't minimize it as simply your default SOS. While prayer is not less than turning to God for help in a time of need, we have to remember that prayer is so much more.

 

Prayer is NOT about living life on your own terms and own strength UNTIL you realise your limitations and then turning to God.

 

Prayer is about living in CONNECTION to GOD and through that connection, living out His purpose for your life, which is why it's important to talk to God before you act, before you decide, before you're tempted, before you speak , before you risk.

 

Think for a moment: How would your life be different if you were to prayer first before everything you do?

 

The goal of being focused and committed to prayer is relationship, not religion.

First Things First

Although we are to pray throughout the day, I believe starting each day with prayer is paramount to keeping your priority.

Praying each morning before my day starts helps me to connect to my Father first thing. I want Him to know that He is the most important thing in my day and in my life. Its not just that I'm praying - I'm praying first!

 

God wants to be first. He wants to be the centre of our attention, our affection, our attitude, and our actions. God told the people of Israel, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3), and the same command applies to us. When we give God the first of anything - our income, our time, our attention, our energy - we declare that God is first in our lives. What we have - everything we have - belongs to Him and it comes from Him. We honour God by our fist practices.

 

There are many ways you can communicate the honour of priority in your relationship with the Lord. Going to church on the first day of the week shows that He takes priority over your entire week. Paying your tithes before you pay bills or make purchases is another way. And praying first thing in the morning - regardless of whether you're a morning person or not, regardless of whether it fits your schedule of not - shows God that nothing comes before Him. Because praying first is not just for you and your benefit.

​

Praying first HONOURS God.

Keep Talking

Consider the difference if you prayed first in everything -

​

  • Before getting out of bed in the morning, pray in thanksgiving for a good night's rest and ask in advance for blessings and guidance for the day ahead.

  • Before the kids leave for school, pray for them to remain safe, for them to grow in wisdom, stature, favour and for them to reflect God's love.

  • Frist thing when you get in the car, thank God for when it starts and ask for protection on the roads.

​

Just imagine the rest of your day with all the demands, roles and responsibilities of your life right now. Quiet time of intimate talks with God are wonderful and necessary, but prayers on the run may be more practical on a daily basis.

 

  • Pray first and then click to join that zoom meeting at work.

  • Pray first and then take the dog to the vet.

  • Pray first and then check your balance online.

  • Pray first and then finish your studies.

  • Pray first and then cook dinner.

 

When the unexpected happens, before you start panicking and wondering how you will pay the bill, heal the wound, fix the fridge, find your next job, or repair the relationship - PRAY FIRST. Maybe you are already in a difficult situation and you feel like you know what to say to God - that’s okay - He can handle anything you give Him.

 

God wants you to come to Him just as you are. You don’t have to make sure you're all bright and shiny when you approach Him. He wants the real you, even when you're upset or angry. God would rather you whine, complain, cry, rant and rave to Him than you withdrawing. He can handle your frustrations and fears and would rather maintain relationship with Him - He loves you.

​

What if you're moody one day and happy the next? God still wants you to pray.

​

When you do something you know you shouldn’t have? He still wants to talk to you.

​

Whatever you're going through, wherever you are, prayer can always be your priority.

​

It's time to start praying before you act, not after.

​

No matter what you're doing, pray first!

​

(Excerpted & adapted from ‘Pray first’ by Ps Chris Hodges)

10 January

You Had Me At "Hello"

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Exodus 3:4)

​

When God calls you, there is only one correct answer. “Here I am.” The Hebrew word is "hinneni".

​

A father, who was an orthodox Jew, called one of his sons to come out of his room. The son was ignoring him. The father scolded the boy, asking, “When I call your name, what are you supposed to say?” The boy reluctantly replied, “Hinneni.” Here I am.

​

Hinneni means “Here I am, ready to listen, ready to respond, ready to obey.”

​

Hinneni is the opposite of “Wait a minute.” 

​

All these history makers became heroes of the faith because of their heart response: 
   • God called to Abraham - Abraham replied, “Hinneni” (Genesis 22:1). 
   • He called to Jacob in a dream, and Jacob said, “Hinneni” (Genesis 31:11). 
   • He called to Moses from the bush; Moses said, “Hinneni” (Exodus 3:4). 
   • He called the young boy Samuel who was sleeping next to the Ark of the Covenant in God's Holy presence at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Samuel became Israel's prophet and priest.  
   • He called to Isaiah, and Isaiah said, “Hinneni” (Isaiah 6:8). 
   • He called to Jonah, and Jonah ran the other direction.

​

I wonder if we would have heard of any of their names had they not responded Hinneni. I also wonder how many people God approached before He found Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah etc…  Hence, the scripture that says 'Many are called, few are Chosen' - God calls, but it's our choice whether to respond Hinneni.
   
The Prophet Isaiah promises us that at the time of the great Messianic redemption, the roles will be reversed. We will call to God, and He will answer, “Here am I”; Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, “Here I am (Hinneni).” (Isaiah 58:9)

​

Today and this season of prayer, fasting and dedication to the LORD, please consider the question God asks you and all of humanity in Genesis 3:8-10. 

​

What is your response? What is your desire? 

​

`Hinenni' means "my answer is 'Yes' before you even ask" (Darlene Zschech, Worship leader, Pastor)

​

PRAYER POINTS:
   - Declare aloud Psalm 27. Meditate particularly on verses 4, 8 and 14.
   - Pray these Scriptures with your spouse asap. 
   - Pray these scriptures over your children and family. 

​

Let's make prayer a priority by saying a short prayer before we do any activity. Let's keep talking to God, keeping the conversation open the whole day.
 

11 January

Permanezcan en mi

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:5,7-8)

​

What a powerful word “abide” is! It can be defined as accepting or acting in accordance with a decree, a decision, or a recommendation, as in “I will abide by whatever you say.” In this verse, however, “abide” has a much deeper meaning. It means to ‘abide in me‘ – to linger in His presence, and to seek Him with all your heart.

​

King David longed to abide, (remain, dwell and stay) in the Holy Place, which was the Tabernacle in the Old Testament where God promised He would meet His people (Psalm 91). Please use your imagination to picture yourself, like David, dwelling and living in the presence of God near the Ark of the covenant which symbolises God's heavenly throne and mercy seat. In the Spanish language, abide has been translated as 'permanezcan' - which carries the idea of remaining 'permanently'.

​

Declare aloud: "I am a spirit being, I have a spirit, soul and body. My body is the temple/ tabernacle of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I am a walking, moving temple of the Holy Spirit and will bring the presence and glory of God into every situation and place I go today!" 

​

Your life will be revolutionized as you obey the command to ‘abide in me’, and spend time in His Word and His presence. The more you abide in His lovely presence and invite His words to be infused into your heart, the more powerful your prayer life and spiritual walk will be, for the Word will stir your spirit to seek God even more!

​

God, in His presence, has a divine dream, strategy and pattern for your success, as we ‘abide in me’. God’s plan to help you succeed is revealed throughout the Bible, but it is up to you to access His plan as You spend time with Him and remain in His presence. 

​

The release of God’s blessings in your life is connected to your obedience in abiding, for the Bible declares: “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut.28:2).

​

Prayers for Today:
Dear Lord, I pray today that I will seek more and more to abide in You. Teach me, Lord, how to abide in You better so that I can think more clearly, act wiser, speak lovingly, and have my actions reflect You more clearly. And fill me with Your fullness and anointing so that I may live, grow, and bear fruit as I abide more and more in You.

​

As I remain in your presence, I declare strength in my spirit from the glorious unlimited resources of God through your Holy Spirit. Lord, give me your strength to fulfil your will and purposes on this earth. In Jesus name, Amen.
 

15 January

God Has A Plan For You

Jeremiah 29:11 -  
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

​

When God's people had sinned and messed up and were facing destruction and exile from the land of Israel, God still had a plan for their future restoration that was good. Whether we are in a mess or in a good place, God has a plan for you and your family. 

​

God had a plan to rescue the middle east from a famine and as such he sent a young man, Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, ahead into Egypt. Joseph had no idea about God's ultimate plan at the time. He had to trust God in the midst of rejection, abandonment and slavery. 

​

Prayer #1 - Will you dare to pray "Here I am Lord, Use me" (Hebrew: Hinneni). Let's surrender our own plans to the LORD and ask that His dreams, visions and destiny for us and our children to be fulfilled.

​

Prayer #2 - Prayer of Surrender
Abba father, I surrender to you my whole self, my heart, my mind, my memory, my imagination, my will, my emotions, my passions, my body, my desire for human approval and value, my weaknesses, my desires, my sins. I surrender every person in my life to you. I surrender every situation in my life to you. I now turn to You and declare - may I do your will, not my own. I repent of every sin, iniquity and rebellion in my life. (Pray in the tongues and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the areas He wants to deal with). 

​

Prayer #3 - Declaration from Psalm 34
I declare I will not worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.  For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. I Trust in You, Lord and do good. I will live safely in the land and prosper. I will delight in the Lord,  and He will give me my heart’s desires.

 

I commit everything I am doing to You, Lord. I put my trust in You and You will help me. Lord, You will make my innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of my cause will shine like the noonday sun. I will "Be still in the presence of the Lord" and I wait patiently for Him to act.

 

I do not worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. I stop being angry! I turn from my rage! I will not lose my temper as it only leads to harm. I declare the wicked will be destroyed, but as I trust in the Lord, I will possess the land.
 

16 January

God Uses His Promises To Purge And Refine Us

Psalm 105:19 
God's promises to Joseph PURGED HIS CHARACTER UNTIL it was time for the dreams to come true! (The Passion Translation)

​

God is not just interested in our destination, but also in our journey. When God gives us a dream and makes a promise, we can be confident that He is faithful and true to His word. We need to have FAITH and hold onto the promises, dreams and visions that God has given us. The promises reveal His incredible character - He is absolutely trustworthy and faithful to His word. As such, we can confidently put our trust in Him no matter circumstances and situations we are in. God is good and He has His good plans for us. 

​

God will also use the promises to purge and refine our character. To PURGE means to remove undesirable attitudes, motivations, sins, and thoughts that prevent us from fully receiving the promises of God and seeing His dreams fulfilled. We have a higher calling and the LORD needs to surface and rid us of any thing that is buried or sitting in our hearts like sediment at the bottom of a pond or lake. We may dread the dredging, but God has His plans for us. Unless, we rid our hearts and minds of those things, we may never see those things fully fulfilled. For example, Joseph was serving well in Potiphar's house and he also rose to the top of managing the royal prison. But he was never meant for just the house or prison, he was meant for the Palace of Pharoah where he became second in command only to the king. 

​

Prayer - Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 139:23-24
Abba Father, please convict me of any sin in my heart. Let Your conviction be a continual process in my life, Lord. Keep me on a short leash. If I sin, immediately convict me, I pray. Help me to repent and make things right with You, and with anyone else I've hurt. And please, change my heart permanently and make me like You. Father, forgive me as I forgive those who have sinned against me or hurt me.  

 

Lord, You are the only One who can help me. You are not far away from me; You are my ever-present Help in trouble. By Your Holy Spirit, You are with me; You’re in me; and You’re FOR me. You are all I need, and You are good. Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.

​

So Father, thank You:
   • I thank You right now for reaching down inside me and healing me deeper than I even knew I hurt.
   • I thank You right now for searching me deeper than I could even see, purging me of things I didn’t know were there.
   • Thank You for not only convicting me, but also for showing me how to live rightly, as is pleasing to You. Thank You for leading me in Your way everlasting.

​

You, O God, are good, and gracious, and merciful; You are quick to forgive me, and Your mercies are new every day. Lord, please help me never to take unholy advantage of how good You are. Give me a reverent fear and awe of You, so that I never presume on Your grace by sinning more, just because forgiveness is available. Fill me with the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, so that I might live holy all my days, and so that I will never choose to sin against You again. Thank You, Abba Father. In Jesus’ mighty, holy, and precious name I pray, amen.”
 

17 January

The Greenhouse Effect

Prayer Enhances Our Faith

Hebrews 6:12 
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their FAITH and ENDURANCE (patience).

​

This scripture reveals that although God gave His promises to His people, only those with FAITH and PATIENT ENDURANCE inherited them. Like the Israelites who failed to enter the promised land because of their unbelief, you will forfeit all God has promised you if you don't have a firm belief in what God has spoken and trust in Him alone. If God has something for us, don't you think that He has already prepared for everything we need from His glorious unlimited resources? If He calls, He will equip and also supply; and if He supplies, He has already made PROVISION. 

​

One of the highest manifestations of FAITH - is Thanksgiving from a heart of true gratitude. We can thank God for not only what He has done in the past, we can thank God for what He is going to do because we have already received by faith as we trust in His faithful character. 

​

In addition to walking in faith, PRAYER is essential. If you follow the examples of the men and women of faith you will realise that they were people of prayer as well. It's because prayer creates an atmosphere that allows your faith to function. For instance, if you want to have a very healthy environment for your pot plants to grow, it's best to put them into a greenhouse. A greenhouse has the right conditions that are favourable for your plants to grow - moisture, sunlight, temperature etc. Likewise, prayer and worship create an atmosphere that allows your faith to function and flourish. In fact, the growth process can even be sped up exponentially - things will begin to bud, sprout, blossom and ripen in God's holy presence. 

​

The House of Prayer (our local church) functions like a greenhouse. Commit your time to the Tuesday nights and corporate prayer meetings (the sacred assembly and worship nights) to build and stir your faith. We together, as the body of Christ, is the temple (greenhouse) of the Holy Spirit. Your body is also the temple of the Holy Spirit, where we are walking tabernacles/ temples (where God's Spirit dwells in us).

In as much as you need faith to activate the promises of God, you need prayer to create an atmosphere that allows that faith to move. Without prayer, your faith cannot function. Doubt, unbelief and distractions can easily thrive in a mind that has not submitted to a diligent life of prayer. 

​

Pray:
Jude 1:20-21 NLT
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,  [21] and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

​

Pray in tongues today.
 

For more info on the Weekly prayer meetings: https://iccbrisbane.org/prayerinfo/ 

18 January

Pray First

When God Gives A
Vision, He Also Makes Provision For It

Genesis 46:1-4


So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. 2 During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called. “Here I am,” Jacob replied. 3 “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. 4 I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.”

​

Jacob was in his old age and was about to make a significant final migration from Canaan to Egypt. After he had offered sacrifices to God, God spoke to him in a vision. Jacob's immediate response to the VISION was "Here I am" (which means Hinneni - 'I'm present, ready and willing to obey your plans and do your will'). Whether God calls the young, like Samuel, who was sleeping in God's presence as a young boy next to the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle, or as an old man, like Jacob, our response should be Hinneni.

​

God is looking for our heart's response. Without faith it is impossible to please God. So when Jacob answered this VISION in faith and willingness, God comforted and confirmed his move to Egypt and also promised to make his family into a GREAT NATION. It is no coincidence that during this season of prayer and fasting our focus is on God's dreams, visions and destiny, because God has a dream for you, your family, as well as His people that will IMPACT and INFLUENCE NATIONS. BELIEVE IT! God will bring forth his plans and promises NOW! Above all, God promised to be with Jacob in the whole move to Egypt - we need God's presence above all. Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father above (James 1:17; Exo. 33:15). When God gives a VISION, He has the PROVISION for it to be fulfilled! 

​

PRAY:
   1. Pray for the leaders of our church that they will lead and abide in the GLORIOUS PRESENCE of God and His rest. Pray for a greater desire and hunger and capacity for God's presence. 

​

    2. Pray for the land that they would operate under the guidance of God and make decisions that will favour the cause of God in the land (1 Tim.  2:1-3)

​

    3. Pray for an outpouring of the Spirit of God over us and in this nation,

that we will see the Kingdom of God break out and knock out powers of darkness over other nations - we want to see REVIVAL in Australia and the nations of the world - from the Pacific Islands (Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, NZ, PNG, Philippines, Indonesia) into Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Mongolia etc), to India, Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sudan), the Americas (USA, Brazil, Peru, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Mexico), Europe and especially the Middle East (Israel & Egypt). 

​

    4. Pray that God will raise you up and many others up as Josephs, Jacobs, Ruths, Daniels, Stephens, Esthers, Davids, Isaiahs who will influence and impact the church, cities and nations.

19 January

Rain Rain Go Away?

Hebrews 6:7-8 NLT


When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. [8] But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

​

Hebrews 6:12 tells us to follow the example of God's people who are gojng to inherit God's promises through faith and endurance. For Joseph to inherit the promises of God, he had to maintain a pure heart. Last Sunday I saw a picture of two seeds planted in the same soil - one was a good seed (representing God's word - Mark 4:14-20) while the other seed was a bad seed - (which could be a sin or unforgiveness - Hebrews 12:15). Then I saw RAIN falling on that soil. I realised the Holy Spirit was showing me the importance of uprooting bad seeds in our heart because when God sends his rain - both seeds will begin to take root, sprout, grow and blossom, and eventually even ripen. However, like the parable in Mark 4, the thorns and weeds can choke out the good plant. 

​

As we abide in God's presence, the rain of His presence is going to cause things to grow in abundance and lead to acceleration. Like Joseph, who experienced rejection, hurt from his brothers, slavery, yet had a forgiving heart of reconciliation with his family (some 20 years later), we must tend to the soil of our hearts to uproot all sin, bitterness and unforgiveness that wants to stop us from doing the will of God and accomplishing His purposes.

​

Pray:
1. Father, even as I prayed for You to raise up Josephs, Daniels, Esthers etc.. in this land, today I ask that Your kingdom purposes will be done in and through my life (hinneni) and that I will Do your will. Your will for me is to live according to Your Holy Spirit. As the prophet David prayed, search me and point out anything that offends You or causes anxiety - I confess these things and repent and turn away from anxious thoughts or anything that is contrary or offends Your word of life in me.

​

2. Father, forgive me, as I forgive those who sin against me.

​

3. Pray against every evil thing the enemy has sown into our lives. May those things be uprooted and cast off.

​

4. Father, not my will but yours be done in my life, my family and children, our church and our city and nation.
 

22 and 23 January

Til Death Do
Us Part

After the tragic death of their husbands, Ruth made a covenantal vow to her mother-in-law, Naomi, as they were travelling back from Moab to Judah, never to leave her even unto death - she vowed that Naomi's God would be her God, Naomi's people would also be her people. This covenantal (marriage) vow was very significant, as God is a covenant keeping God - even when we are unfaithful, He is still faithful to us. God saw the loyal heart of Ruth and eventually restored her fortunes from bitterness and grief, to a new marriage with her kinsman redeemer, Boaz and having a son Obed, who was the grandfather of King David. Ultimately, Ruth was brought into the greatest eternal royal family of Yeshua, Jesus. 

​

By faith, the apostle Paul tells us that we are in fact children of Abraham and therefore, we have been given the covenantal promises of Abraham which are: 1. Land  2. Children 3. Blessings.  Jeremiah 29:7 says we are to Seek the peace and prosperity of the land (the city) in which we live, because if it prospers, we too will prosper. So, we need to believe the promise, pray for our city and take action to bless the people in the city. 

​

Today, let's pray for Brisbane and the nation of Australia - God not only has a dream for you and your family, but also this city and nation. Repent for our deliberate sins and let's declare unity (Psalm 133) in the church and alignment to His purposes to see a Revival harvest in this nation and beyond. 

​

Secondly, lets pray for children - in order to have children lets pray for those seeking a husband or wife, and also for those wanting children, as well as, for expectant mothers in the church. Let's also bless our youth and next generation - God will move powerfully and call them to His heart and kingdom purposes through the local church. Let's also pray that we will be covenantal people of integrity, who can control our tongue, not murmur and gossip, but speak encouraging and life giving words to everyone around us, especially God's family and our family members. 

 

And finally, let's pray for the blessings of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit to fill our lives and church. Declare Psalm 19:7-13 that God will REVIVE our hearts and souls as we hunger and obey His word - pray for healthy appetite to meditate and live by God's word - His promises, eternal blessings, decrees and inheritance.

 

For more info on the Weekly prayer meetings: https://iccbrisbane.org/prayerinfo/ 

24 January

Transfiguration:
Caterpillar to
Butterfly

Have you ever felt you've been in a hopeless situation? Ruth and Naomi were in a foreign land that was in drought and famine and they had experienced 3 deaths in a row. Naomi's sons who had died were named Mahlon and Kilion, which means sickness and wasting respectively. Ruth and Naomi were surrounded by sickness and death and were wasting away with no future or hope, no children either. 

​

Yet, the story didn't stop there. Our God is able to do the impossible and turned around this situation. Some call it a Transfiguration - when Jesus' ordinary clothes became brilliantly white and shine forth with blazing glory when he met with Moses and Elijah. God is able to turn the ordinary and hopeless circumstances and supernaturally RESTORE AND REVIVE lives as he did with Ruth. Ruth was like the caterpillar but God was going to transform her into a butterfly - He provided her land, a new husband and child, named Obed who was the grandfather of King David. Ruth was elevated to the greatest eternal royal family of all history. 

​

Like Ruth, through Christ our kinsman redeemer, God brings us into the same Royal Family of Yeshua Jesus! You are a royal priesthood, a chosen generation! God has transformed us in Christ!

​

Pray for a turn around and Transfiguration for yourself and other people today. The greatest turn around is when people are born again. They are taken from the kingdom of darkness into God's glorious kingdom of light! 
Pray for souls. 
Pray for a Revival in your spiritual walk. 
Pray for a Transfiguration for others who are in difficult situations and trials. 
Rebuke spiritual attacks from the enemy that want to bring destruction, delay and distraction in people's lives, keeping them from doing God's will and living God's way.

​

For more info on the Weekly prayer meetings in ICC: https://iccbrisbane.org/prayerinfo/ 

bottom of page