Embracing Destiny Through Faith and Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, on this special Mother's Day, I want to delve into a topic that intertwines history, faith, and the power of prayer. As we gather here, I am reminded of the chaos and blessings of motherhood, and I am excited to share stories that have deeply impacted my life and can inspire yours.
Have you ever felt invisible, unheard, or overlooked? Many of us have experienced moments where our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, and our dreams feel unattainable. But I want to assure you that God sees you, hears you, and desires to move powerfully through your life. He wants to release you into your destiny and fulfill His promises over you.
Our third kingdom culture value is that prayer releases power. In communing with the Father, we access the fullness of Christ's inheritance. As we enter the secret place of intimacy with Him, we become a house of prayer for all nations. This is not just a concept but a reality that has been demonstrated throughout history.
One such story is that of Susanna Wesley, born in 1669, the youngest of 25 children. She married Samuel Wesley and had 19 children, of whom only 10 survived infancy. Despite immense hardships, including poverty and her husband's imprisonment, Susanna educated her children at home for six hours a day for 20 years. Her dedication and faithfulness laid the foundation for her sons, John and Charles Wesley, who became pivotal figures in the Methodist movement.
John Wesley, saved from a house fire at five years old, went on to become one of the most famous preachers of his time, traveling 250,000 miles on horseback and preaching 40,000 sermons. His brother Charles wrote 6,500 hymns, many of which we still sing today. Their work, inspired by their mother's faith and prayer, has had a lasting impact on the church and the world.
The Wesley brothers were deeply influenced by the Moravian movement, which began in the 15th century with John Hus. Hus's desire for liturgy in the people's language and his translation of the Bible led to his martyrdom. However, the Moravian movement continued, establishing a 24-7 prayer watch that lasted 100 years and birthed a powerful missionary movement.
This brings us to Francis Asbury, who traveled to America with the Wesleys. At 12, he had a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit. By 26, he answered John Wesley's call to be a missionary in North America. His dedication led to preaching over 10,000 sermons and ordaining over 2,000 preachers, significantly impacting the Methodist movement in America.
Fast forward to February 8, 2023, at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. A routine chapel service turned into a multi-week outpouring, described as a revival, led by students. This event attracted students from hundreds of colleges and universities, demonstrating the power of prayer and the lasting impact of faithfulness through generations.
As we reflect on these stories, we see the threads of history woven through the generations. The sacrifices and faithfulness of individuals like Susanna Wesley, John Hus, and Francis Asbury have birthed movements and reformation, releasing people into their destinies. On this Mother's Day, we acknowledge that God sees and hears us, and He has a destiny for each of our lives.
Let us stand and welcome the Holy Spirit into this space. There is a sense of pregnancy in the room, a call to step into the fullness of what God has for us. As we take a physical step forward, we declare our desire to step into our destinies. God speaks life, hope, vision, and destiny over us. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray for a release of faith, hope, healing, and miracles in this room. Let us continue in worship and allow the children to minister to us in prayer, for they too carry the Holy Spirit's power.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Sees and Hears You: Even when you feel invisible, unheard, or overlooked, God sees you and hears your prayers. He desires to move powerfully through your life and fulfill His promises over you. This assurance is a reminder that no matter how insignificant you may feel, you are seen and valued by God. [38:18]
2. Prayer Releases Power: Engaging in deep communion with God allows us to access the fullness of Christ's inheritance. As we prioritize God's presence and stand on His Word, we see the power of prayer manifest in our lives. This principle is not just theoretical but has been demonstrated throughout history, showing that prayer can change circumstances and release destinies. [41:05]
3. Faithfulness in Hardship: The story of Susanna Wesley exemplifies how faithfulness in the face of immense hardship can have a lasting impact. Despite poverty and personal struggles, her dedication to educating her children and her deep faith laid the foundation for a movement that changed the world. This teaches us that our faithfulness, even in difficult times, can have far-reaching effects. [50:50]
4. Generational Impact: The influence of the Moravian movement on the Wesley brothers and subsequently on Francis Asbury highlights the generational impact of faith and prayer. The continuous prayer watch and the dedication of individuals like John Hus and the Wesleys have birthed movements that have shaped history. This reminds us that our prayers and actions today can influence future generations. [55:54]
5. Stepping into Destiny: God is calling us to step into the fullness of our destinies. As we respond to His call, we must be willing to take physical and spiritual steps forward, declaring our desire to fulfill His purposes for our lives. This involves trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible, and aligning ourselves with His will. [01:04:10]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:24] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
[38:18] - God Sees and Hears You
[40:12] - Prayer Releases Power
[41:05] - The Power of Communion with God
[42:03] - The Story of Sarah and Abraham
[48:55] - The Life of Susanna Wesley
[51:17] - Susanna Wesley's Faith and Dedication
[54:39] - The Wesley Brothers' Encounter with the Holy Spirit
[55:54] - The Moravian Movement's Impact
[57:46] - Francis Asbury and the Asbury Revival
[59:46] - The Generational Impact of Prayer
[01:04:10] - Stepping into Your Destiny
[01:07:06] - Children's Prayer Ministry and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)
> "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
2. Genesis 16:13 (ESV)
> "So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are a God of seeing,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
3. James 5:16 (ESV)
> "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
4. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
> "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 5:14-15, what confidence do we have when we pray according to God's will?
2. In Genesis 16:13, how does Hagar describe God after her encounter with Him?
3. What does James 5:16 say about the power of prayer?
4. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith?
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to pray according to God's will, and how does this affect our confidence in prayer?
2. How can Hagar's experience of God seeing her in Genesis 16:13 encourage us when we feel invisible or unheard?
3. Why do you think the prayer of a righteous person is described as powerful and effective in James 5:16?
4. How does the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 relate to the idea of stepping into our destinies despite not seeing immediate results?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were not being heard. How can the assurance from 1 John 5:14-15 change your perspective on that situation?
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel overlooked or invisible. How can you remind yourself that God sees and hears you, as Hagar experienced in Genesis 16:13?
3. Think of a hardship you are currently facing. How can you remain faithful and dedicated in this situation, inspired by Susanna Wesley's story?
4. What is one specific step you can take this week to deepen your prayer life, believing in the power of prayer as described in James 5:16?
5. Consider a promise or dream that seems unattainable right now. How can you apply the faith described in Hebrews 11:1 to trust in God's timing and plan for your life?
Devotional
Day 1: God Sees and Hears You
Have you ever felt invisible, unheard, or overlooked? Many of us have experienced moments where our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, and our dreams feel unattainable. But God sees you, hears you, and desires to move powerfully through your life. He wants to release you into your destiny and fulfill His promises over you. This assurance is a reminder that no matter how insignificant you may feel, you are seen and valued by God.
In those moments of feeling unseen, remember that God is always attentive to your cries and prayers. He is a loving Father who knows every detail of your life and is deeply invested in your journey. Trust that He is working behind the scenes, even when you cannot see it. [38:18]
Psalm 34:15-18 (ESV): "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overlooked or unheard. How can you remind yourself today that God sees and hears you? What steps can you take to trust in His attentive care?
Day 2: Prayer Releases Power
Engaging in deep communion with God allows us to access the fullness of Christ's inheritance. As we prioritize God's presence and stand on His Word, we see the power of prayer manifest in our lives. This principle is not just theoretical but has been demonstrated throughout history, showing that prayer can change circumstances and release destinies.
The story of Susanna Wesley exemplifies this truth. Despite immense hardships, her dedication to prayer and educating her children laid the foundation for a movement that changed the world. Her faithfulness in prayer released power that influenced generations, including her sons John and Charles Wesley, who became pivotal figures in the Methodist movement. [41:05]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you deepen your communion with God to access His power? What specific prayers can you commit to praying consistently, believing that they will release God's power in your life and the lives of others?
Day 3: Faithfulness in Hardship
The story of Susanna Wesley exemplifies how faithfulness in the face of immense hardship can have a lasting impact. Despite poverty and personal struggles, her dedication to educating her children and her deep faith laid the foundation for a movement that changed the world. This teaches us that our faithfulness, even in difficult times, can have far-reaching effects.
Susanna's life was marked by perseverance and unwavering faith. Her commitment to her children's education and spiritual growth, despite the many challenges she faced, demonstrates the power of steadfastness. Her legacy reminds us that our faithfulness in hardship can influence future generations and bring about significant change. [50:50]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Think about a current hardship you are facing. How can you remain faithful and steadfast in this situation? What practical steps can you take to continue doing good, trusting that your faithfulness will have a lasting impact?
Day 4: Generational Impact
The influence of the Moravian movement on the Wesley brothers and subsequently on Francis Asbury highlights the generational impact of faith and prayer. The continuous prayer watch and the dedication of individuals like John Hus and the Wesleys have birthed movements that have shaped history. This reminds us that our prayers and actions today can influence future generations.
The Moravian movement's 24-7 prayer watch that lasted 100 years and its powerful missionary movement demonstrate the profound impact of sustained prayer and dedication. The Wesley brothers, deeply influenced by this movement, carried forward the legacy of faith and prayer, significantly impacting the Methodist movement and beyond. [55:54]
Psalm 78:4-7 (ESV): "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."
Reflection: Consider the legacy of faith and prayer you are building. How can you intentionally invest in the spiritual growth of the next generation? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your faith and prayers have a lasting impact on those who come after you?
Day 5: Stepping into Destiny
God is calling us to step into the fullness of our destinies. As we respond to His call, we must be willing to take physical and spiritual steps forward, declaring our desire to fulfill His purposes for our lives. This involves trusting in God's promises, even when they seem impossible, and aligning ourselves with His will.
On this Mother's Day, we acknowledge that God sees and hears us, and He has a destiny for each of our lives. As we take a physical step forward, we declare our desire to step into our destinies. God speaks life, hope, vision, and destiny over us. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray for a release of faith, hope, healing, and miracles. [01:04:10]
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to align yourself with God's destiny for your life? How can you actively trust in His promises and take both physical and spiritual steps forward in faith?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Have you ever felt invisible? I say it's my superpower. Invisibility. Have you ever felt like you're not listened to? Your prayers just basically go up and bounce around the ceiling and then they come back down and they don't really go anywhere. Have you ever felt like you've received prophetic words that have never actually come to pass? Or not yet? Maybe you've held a dream that was really important to you and so completely unattainable. Maybe you feel overlooked, unheard, or unseen." [37:24]
2. "God sees you. He hears your voice. He wants to move powerfully through you and through your life. And He wants to see you fulfill your destiny, wants to see you released into your purpose, and activated to see all His promises in your life fulfilled. He is calling us up into a life of prayer and dedication today. And I'm excited at what He's going to release in the room. It's not a coincidence that you're here today. And I really sense that there's people in the room today who really need to hear this message." [38:18]
3. "During this time a friend of mine gave me a book. And it was about a woman. And she was so inspiring that it changed my perspective, gave me hope, lifted my vision, and I could see a way ahead. And this book was about a woman called Susanna Wesley. And I'm going to tell you her story. Susanna was born in 1669, the youngest of 25 children of a prominent minister in Britain. At 19 she got married to Samuel Wesley, who was also a minister. Susanna had 19 children. Of the 19, only 10 survived infancy." [48:55]
4. "Is there a situation that you're facing that you think is impossible? You've been given a promise but it looks in the natural like it's never going to happen. Maybe it feels laughable, like this promise that was given to Abraham and Sarah. But the evidence that God both sees and hears was present again when he told them to call their son Isaac, which means surprise, delightful, and laughter." [45:36]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Our third kingdom culture value is that prayer releases power. In communing with the Father, we have access to the fullness of Christ's inheritance. We enter into the secret place to have intimacy with Him, and in so doing, we become a house of prayer for all nations. One John says in the message, 'And how bold and free we then become in His presence, freely asking according to His will.'" [40:12]
2. "Kingdom mothering is not just about birthing children, but it's about birthing destinies. And today I believe I've been quite overwhelmed as I've read all these stories and just seen how God has been so faithful through difficult times. Susanna had a husband who just abandoned her, left her. She struggled, but she continued with what the assignment was on her life. And in so doing, she released destiny over the children, which have impacted for generations." [01:00:29]
3. "Sometimes we want to see this acceleration. We want to see things happen quickly. And what I'd say to you about that: if you want to see things happen quickly, learn to obey quickly. Learn to obey quickly and you will see acceleration. It's those little things, those little voices when God speaks to you. Why don't you stop? Why don't you stop for that woman in the supermarket? Why don't you pray? Why don't you give fifty bucks to that person who you know is struggling? Why don't you take that course? Why don't you step out?" [01:01:50]
4. "We see the sacrifice and the faithfulness of Susanna Wesley with the prayer and education of her kids. The inspiration of her life that brought to me in a difficult time, even 300 years later. During that time, I started to pray for my family in a way I hadn't previously, that they would see the blessing of the Lord on their lives. And I began to pray and call them into their destinies. We see the sacrifice of John Hus and the hundred years of prayer birthed the most powerful missionary movement the world has ever seen." [59:06]
5. "We see prayer releases power. We see God answers prayer. We see the birthing of movements and reformation and people released into their destinies. On Mother's Day, we acknowledge that God sees and hears us, and He has a destiny for each of our lives." [59:46]
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