Amazing First Week

Recap of last week (Sorry it is late!) 2/16-2/19

Our week of classes started with the sharing of our testimonies. Each staff member gave their testimony on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, each student in the group gave theirs. I feel like God really united us together through our vulnerability with one another... it was amazing to hear each person's journey with Christ and how each person was led to the Gold Coast!

Last Thursday (2/18), we had a lecture on prayer and intercession. This lecture was amazing... I was glued to every word. Kerstin, one of our instructors, had amazing insight on prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in interceding for people and nations. She explained prayer as a two-way communication with God, both speaking and listening. We also talked about the fact that God chose to work through us to move on earth and accomplish his will- that is why we pray.

God allows us to pray and change nations!

We went through different examples of intercession in the Bible: Ezekiel 22:30, Genesis 18:26-33, Daniel 9:3-4, Daniel 10:12, Acts 12.

Truths that really spoke to me during this lecture:

• Our purpose in prayer is to release God on earth!
• God puts people and places in our hearts to intercede for them.
• When God puts a burden on your heart, don't stop praying until the burden is lifted.
• The key to intercession is listening to the heart of God.
• The Holy Spirit is our helper and will speak to us while we pray. Be obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Be sensitive to the burden He places on your heart.
• Never give up praying for someone or something that God places on your heart, even if he does not answer right away. The enemy will try and discourage you. It is important to pursue and press-in until a breakthrough is released.
• Examples of this in the Bible: Matt 26: 36-46, 1 Kings 18: 41-45, Revelations 5:8.

Joy Dawson's Principles for Effective Intercession:

Sin- Have a clean heart before God. Sin comes between us and God. Ask God to convict you of any sin and ask for forgiveness before you begin to intercede.
Self- Die to yourself, your thoughts, your own mind. Let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts. Submit your thoughts to his thoughts so your prayers are from the mind and heart of Christ. Surrender what is in your mind to Him.
Satan- Come against any distractions of the enemy.
Spirit- Invite the Holy Spirit in your prayer time. The Holy Spirit knows what to pray. He will lead you and guide you in your prayer time.
Thanks- Raises an expectancy that God will release his power to change hearts and situations.
Wait- Be silent and listen to what God is saying. TRUST that what you hear is the heart of God. He may speak directly or give you pictures, visions, scripture, etc.

I am so blessed by this teaching. I know when I begin to apply these truths and principles, God will really transform my prayer life.

On Friday of last week, (2/19) we had a guest speaker, Aaron, talk to us about Worship. He is on the worship team at Set Free Christian Church. He had some amazing things to say about offering worship to the Lord, just as you are, giving thanks and praise for who he is, what he has done, and the promise of his enduring love.

Some key statements really spoke to my heart:

• God is looking for real worshippers. He cares about the heart. Come as you are and receive his grace.
• Worship is a response to the love and grace God gives us.
• The whole point of Christ's death on the cross was so that he could be with us. He is madly, deeply in love with us. Out of response from understanding this deep love, we worship God. Meditate on the promise of God's enduring love.
• Worship is a lifestyle. Worship God in everything you do. (Romans 12:1)
• There is such power in praising God in the midst of difficult circumstances. Don't let the enemy take your praise- Nothing can separate you from God's love!
• Be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

After the lecture, we spent time in worship together. I felt God's love pouring out on me, saying "I delight in you". I felt consumed in the joy of God's presence. I realized how much God desires to spend time with me, and is just waiting for me to be still and enjoy his presence. I feel so blessed to have a Father who is just crazy in love with me and is always there to fulfill me with every good thing.