In our time together, we explored the profound impact of prayer and the incredible movement of God across the globe. We began by acknowledging the remarkable work of Pastor Brad and Pastor Becky, whose dedication to discipleship has sparked a global movement. This movement is not just about leadership but is deeply rooted in a vibrant prayer life. We learned that God is moving more powerfully now than at any other time in history, with countless people coming to faith in the most challenging and unreached areas of the world.
Our organization, Venture, is committed to going to the "three uns": unsafe, unreached, and unresourced places. Despite the dangers, the church continues to grow, with thousands coming to Christ even in the face of persecution. This growth is fueled by prayer, not just leadership strategies. We discovered that the prayer lives of global leaders, whether in refugee camps or bustling cities, share common principles centered around friendship with Jesus.
We heard inspiring stories from leaders like Mama Rosabelle, who prays for hours daily, and a New York financier who "wastes time with God" as an expression of friendship. This friendship-first approach to prayer transforms it from a duty into a joyful time with Jesus. We also learned about the neurological benefits of prayer, which can physically change our brains, increasing love and peace while reducing fear and anxiety.
The second transformative insight was crafting a day with God, not just a prayer time. This involves integrating prayer into every aspect of our day, from morning routines to evening reflections. We can use prompts, like praying when annoyed or setting specific times to pray for our nation, to keep us connected to God throughout the day.
Finally, we discussed the power of generational prayer, as seen in the story of Mark Batterson and the Russian Christians who prayed for their church's stones to be used again for worship. Prayer is a legacy that outlasts us, impacting future generations.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Global Movement of God: God is moving powerfully across the world, especially in the most challenging and unreached areas. This movement is not driven by leadership strategies but by a deep commitment to prayer. The church is growing even in the face of persecution, demonstrating the unstoppable power of God's kingdom. [12:46]
- 2. Friendship with Jesus: The prayer lives of global leaders emphasize friendship with Jesus. This approach transforms prayer from a duty into a joyful time with a friend. It is about being with Jesus, not just asking for things, and this friendship-first mentality changes everything. [53:37]
- 3. Crafting a Day with God: Instead of compartmentalizing prayer, we can integrate it into every aspect of our day. This involves using prompts and habits to keep us connected to God, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for divine connection. [60:07]
- 4. Generational Impact of Prayer: Prayer is a legacy that impacts future generations. The story of Russian Christians praying for their church's stones to be used again for worship reminds us that God never forgets a prayer, and its effects can be seen long after we are gone. [79:45]
- 5. Miracles and Moments in God's Presence: Sometimes God answers with a miracle, and sometimes with a moment in His presence. Both are miraculous. In times of crisis, experiencing God's presence can provide peace and assurance, reminding us that we are never alone. [01:06:38]
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Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Pastors Brad and Becky
- [02:30] - Global Movement of God
- [05:00] - Venture's Mission to the "Three Uns"
- [08:45] - The Power of Prayer in Global Growth
- [12:46] - Discovering the Fuel of Prayer
- [15:30] - Insights from Global Leaders
- [20:00] - Friendship with Jesus
- [25:00] - Crafting a Day with God
- [30:00] - The Science of Prayer
- [35:00] - Generational Impact of Prayer
- [40:00] - Miracles and Moments in God's Presence
- [45:00] - Stories of Transformation
- [50:00] - Invitation to a Relationship with Jesus
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement