The Power of Prayer and the Secret Place

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we delved into the profound significance of prayer and the secret place in our spiritual journey. We began by inviting the Holy Spirit to charge the atmosphere, emphasizing that it is not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that we are equipped to carry His presence. The call was made for spiritual capacity, wisdom, and revelation, sowing seeds of revival and prayer that will shift territories.

We explored the journey of birthing revival, sharing personal experiences from our own church's transformation. It was highlighted that revival is not just for the leaders but for everyone, including the younger generations. The revival at Fresh Start Church began with the youth, emphasizing the need for pervasive prayer throughout the congregation. Intercession was the catalyst for revival, and revival, in turn, made us intercessors.

The secret place was underscored as the primary location for spiritual pursuit and personal revival. It is where we meet the Father, who is always waiting for us. This place is not just for pastors but for every believer, as it is essential for both personal and corporate revival. The secret place is where we cultivate spiritual capacity, authority, and revelation. It is a place of intentionality, where distractions are shut out, and we commune with God.

We were reminded of historical revivals that began in the secret place, such as the Hebrides Revival, which was birthed by two elderly women in prayer. The power of a simple, pure heart in the secret place can ignite revival, as seen in the Welsh Revival. The call was made for a prevailing spirit of prayer, one that melts the snow and brings in the harvest. We must prioritize prayer above all else, making it the most important meeting of the week.

In conclusion, the secret place is where personal revival is cultivated, feeding into corporate revival. It is a place reserved for us to begin our spiritual pursuit with God daily. Desperate people know how to find and live in the secret place, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. This is the power of the secret place, and it is essential for carrying the authority and anointing of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Capacity and Revival: Spiritual capacity is essential for carrying God's presence and birthing revival. It requires wisdom, revelation, and a deep understanding of God. Revival is not limited to leaders; it involves everyone, including the younger generations, to ensure sustained revival. [01:17]

2. The Power of Intercession: Intercession is the catalyst for revival, and revival, in turn, makes us intercessors. It is through persistent prayer that we can shift territories and bring about spiritual transformation. Intercession is not just a duty but a powerful spiritual transaction. [05:12]

3. The Secret Place: The secret place is where personal revival is cultivated. It is a designated space where we meet with the Father, who is always waiting for us. This place is essential for spiritual capacity, authority, and revelation. It is where we shut out distractions and commune with God. [14:32]

4. Historical Revivals and the Secret Place: Historical revivals, such as the Hebrides and Welsh Revivals, began in the secret place. Simple, pure hearts in prayer can ignite revival. The secret place is where we cultivate a prevailing spirit of prayer that melts the snow and brings in the harvest. [30:19]

5. Prioritizing Prayer: Prayer must be prioritized above all else, making it the most important meeting of the week. It is essential for both personal and corporate revival. A prevailing spirit of prayer is a willful choice to abandon oneself to the Holy Spirit, bringing God's purposes to pass. [49:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Prayer and Holy Spirit Invocation
- [01:03] - Spiritual Capacity and Wisdom
- [02:13] - Diverse Audience and Prayer Focus
- [03:28] - Birthing Revival Through Prayer
- [04:37] - Youth and Sustained Revival
- [05:12] - Intercession and Revival
- [06:43] - The Secret Place and Personal Revival
- [08:54] - Spiritual Pursuit and Revival
- [11:38] - Breaking Up Fallow Ground
- [14:32] - The Importance of the Secret Place
- [20:07] - Jesus and the Secret Place
- [24:30] - Corporate Revival and Personal Atmosphere
- [30:19] - Historical Revivals and the Secret Place
- [36:27] - Prevailing Spirit of Prayer
- [49:42] - Prioritizing Prayer in Church

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
2. Mark 1:35 - "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."
3. Psalm 91:1 - "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the "secret place" as described in Matthew 6:6, and how does it relate to personal and corporate revival? [14:32]
2. How did the sermon describe the role of intercession in birthing and sustaining revival? [05:12]
3. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the power of prayer in the secret place? [30:19]
4. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between spiritual capacity and the secret place? [19:04]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the secret place in Matthew 6:6 challenge the way believers currently approach prayer? [14:32]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that intercession can transform both individuals and communities? [05:12]
3. What lessons can be drawn from the historical revivals mentioned in the sermon about the power of simple, heartfelt prayer? [30:19]
4. How does the sermon connect the idea of spiritual capacity with the practice of spending time in the secret place? [19:04]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you create or improve your own "secret place" to deepen your relationship with God? [14:32]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of intercession. How can you incorporate intercessory prayer into your daily routine to impact your community? [05:12]
3. Consider the historical examples of revival. What steps can you take to cultivate a pure and simple heart in your prayer life, similar to those who sparked past revivals? [30:19]
4. How can you encourage the younger generation in your church or family to engage in prayer and develop their own secret place? [04:08]
5. The sermon mentioned the need for a prevailing spirit of prayer. What practical changes can you make to prioritize prayer in your weekly schedule? [49:42]
6. How can you ensure that your personal spiritual capacity is growing, and what role does the secret place play in this growth? [19:04]
7. Reflect on the distractions in your life. What specific steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus more on your spiritual pursuit? [22:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating Spiritual Capacity for Revival
Spiritual capacity is essential for carrying God's presence and birthing revival. It requires wisdom, revelation, and a deep understanding of God. Revival is not limited to leaders; it involves everyone, including the younger generations, to ensure sustained revival. The journey of birthing revival is a collective effort, where each individual contributes to the spiritual atmosphere. By seeking wisdom and revelation, believers can deepen their understanding of God and expand their spiritual capacity. This expansion allows them to carry God's presence more effectively, impacting their communities and beyond. [01:17]

Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to increase your spiritual capacity and understanding of God, so you can contribute to revival in your community?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Intercession
Intercession is the catalyst for revival, and revival, in turn, makes us intercessors. It is through persistent prayer that we can shift territories and bring about spiritual transformation. Intercession is not just a duty but a powerful spiritual transaction. When believers engage in intercession, they stand in the gap for others, inviting God's presence and power to intervene in situations. This act of selfless prayer can lead to significant changes in individuals, communities, and even nations. As intercessors, believers become vessels through which God's will is accomplished on earth. [05:12]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: Identify one person or situation in your life that needs God's intervention. How can you commit to interceding for them this week?


Day 3: Discovering the Secret Place
The secret place is where personal revival is cultivated. It is a designated space where we meet with the Father, who is always waiting for us. This place is essential for spiritual capacity, authority, and revelation. It is where we shut out distractions and commune with God. In the secret place, believers find rest, renewal, and a deeper connection with God. It is a place of intentionality, where they can focus solely on their relationship with the Father. By prioritizing time in the secret place, believers can experience personal revival that spills over into their communities. [14:32]

Matthew 6:6 (ESV): "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Reflection: What distractions do you need to eliminate to create a more intentional secret place with God this week?


Day 4: Learning from Historical Revivals
Historical revivals, such as the Hebrides and Welsh Revivals, began in the secret place. Simple, pure hearts in prayer can ignite revival. The secret place is where we cultivate a prevailing spirit of prayer that melts the snow and brings in the harvest. These revivals demonstrate the power of dedicated prayer and the impact it can have on entire communities. By studying these historical events, believers can learn valuable lessons about the importance of prayer and the role it plays in sparking revival. The secret place becomes a training ground for cultivating a heart that is sensitive to God's leading. [30:19]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Reflection: Reflect on a historical revival that inspires you. How can you apply the principles of prayer and dedication from that revival to your own life?


Day 5: Prioritizing Prayer in Our Lives
Prayer must be prioritized above all else, making it the most important meeting of the week. It is essential for both personal and corporate revival. A prevailing spirit of prayer is a willful choice to abandon oneself to the Holy Spirit, bringing God's purposes to pass. By prioritizing prayer, believers align themselves with God's will and open the door for His power to work in their lives. This intentional focus on prayer can lead to personal transformation and a greater impact on the world around them. [49:42]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you rearrange your schedule this week to make prayer the most important meeting of your day?

Quotes



Lord charge this atmosphere with your presence and your glory we pray in the name of Jesus it is not by might it is not by power but it is by your spirit oh Lord Hallelujah Lord we give you glory in this place and we pray today that we would be equipped oh Lord to carry your presence in habitation Lord God to birth what you need us to birth oh Lord. [00:47]

intercession brought Revival and Revival made us intercessors come on intercession brought Revival and Revival made us intercessors now what you see if you happen to follow fresh start now is where God has brought us and elevated us and I use elevated not in a a notoriety sense but in a spiritual capacity sense of the of intercession literally going across this nation. [05:02]

Revival is the result of a desperation that drives a constant spiritual Pursuit because you do not accidentally walk into Revival Revival is salt Revival is dug out Revival is plowed and it is a spiritual transaction a spiritual transaction that can only be accessed by a spiritual Pursuit so there must be a continual breaking up of the pH ground. [11:30]

The primary place for Spiritual Pursuit is your personal secret place come on pastors when was the last time that you preached on the secret place when was the last time that you challenged your people to get up early to shove shove other things aside and to pull in close with God look I'm telling you please hear this so much I need to say. [12:28]

The secret place is where the father dwells yes so pause for a moment and just think about that amazing detail that the father dwells in the secret place when you go there he meets you he hears you he communes with you and the Bible says very something very important is that he sees you there which also means that he sees you when you're not there. [15:06]

Your secret place is what brings your spiritual capacity your secret place is what brings your Spiritual Authority your secret place is what brings your spiritual Revelation come on y'all got to have it you got to make a place I said you got to make a place we have two dogs Hallelujah they're havapoos Hallelujah and they are what's that word highly High human focused. [19:06]

The herdes Revival was birthed in the secret place by two elderly women are you with me two elderly women that were praying in their secret place I think one was blind and the other had some kind of ailment uh uh sickness or whatever they were 80 something years old they could not get out of the house because of their physical limitations but they had a secret place. [28:36]

David Brainard is he was a missionary to the Native American Indians in the 1700s he saw Revival break out now he was a missionary uh possibly considered you know a a a minister but he saw Revival Break Out Among the Native American Indians and it en it changed an entire tribe he had such a desire to see this people group reached for Christ. [34:38]

Prayer must go deeper than just a duty my friend it's got to grip your heart until it melts the s snow until it brings in the Harvest until it brings in the healing come on hell is not nervous at our knowledge hell isn't nervous at our empty titles be it evangelist Apostle Bishop Prophet Pastor or whatever hell is not nearly as impressed as we are. [41:52]

If prayer isn't number one you'll never see Revival much less sustain it everything pastors I'm speaking I hope you see the progression here I'm trying to deal with everybody in the room I hope that you understand pastors that everything that competes with prayer in your church as the predominant atmosphere should be cancelled should be rearranged or reassigned to submit to prayer. [47:14]

My house shall be called a House of Prayer pastors leaders church leaders in the room do you want the house that you build or the house that prayer builds we look at the impact of the upper room this thing called The Church began with a prayer meeting right as far as I know they didn't have coffee and donuts that day come on y'all. [50:41]

If you want Revival and Revival culture you need a Praying people and you need a prayer meeting if you don't have one let's just start there assuming that you did but if you don't you need to start one as soon as you go go back and if it has not been a viable place on your calendar in other words if the first meeting that you choose to cancel is the prayer meeting you need to rethink that. [53:50]

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Transcript
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