Delve into fearless and expectant prayer with insights on John 15:7. Explore the role of prayer in church planting, patience, and the power of a prayer journal. Hear about the simplicity of prayer, the essence of petitionary prayer, and the importance of trust and obedience in prayer lives.
Understanding John 15:7's importance for modern prayer practices.
Importance of patience and waiting on God's timing in prayer for church leaders.
Deep dives
Craig Hazen's Insights on Fearless Prayer
Craig Hazen, the founder and director of the Master's program with a Christian concentration, delves into the concept of fearless prayer based on John 15:7. He emphasizes the significance of understanding this verse, which prompted him on a profound journey where he addressed four major objections. Hazen's book, 'Fearless Prayer,' provides insights into the verse and its implications, shedding light on the essence of prayer and the deep relationship between remaining in Christ and the nature of requests made in prayer.
Dallas Willard and Richard Foster's Perspectives on Prayer
Craig Hazen explores the definition of prayer as requesting things from God, citing Dallas Willard and Richard Foster's views. While Foster distinguishes between petitionary prayer and adoration, Hazen emphasizes the primary nature of seeking through petitionary prayer. The conversation delves into the balance between asking for personal needs and focusing solely on adoration, challenging misconceptions around the essence of prayer.
George Mueller's Exemplary Practice of Fearless Prayer
The podcast discusses George Mueller's profound ability to engage in fearless prayer, exemplified by immediate answers to 30,000 out of 50,000 recorded prayer requests within 24 hours. Hazen highlights Mueller's impactful prayer life as a demonstration of faith and trust in God's swift intervention. This narrative serves as a model for church planners and pastors to cultivate fearless prayer practices, emphasizing the power of waiting on God's timing while also witnessing rapid responses to fervent prayer.
Host Ed Stetzer teams back up with colleague Craig Hazen to take a deep dive into John 15:7—Christ’s own words about fearless, expectant prayer. Discover the role of prayer in the life of the church planter as you petition the Lord on behalf of your people and wait to see how He will provide.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
What John 15:7 doesn’t say about the prosperity gospel
How leaning into difficult passages of Scripture can teach us greater things
The purpose of prayer in the life of every believer
The power of patience within our prayer lives
Why keeping a prayer journal may be your next step!
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Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):
John 15:7 was spoken by Jesus in the last hours of His life on earth. It seems to me that it’s got to be really important for today and not just something that we hope we understand one day. – Craig Hazen
The idea of prayer–what is it? I dove in and found that it’s a very simple concept. It’s asking for stuff from God. – Craig Hazen
It’s right there in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” There’s a connection between “If you’re remaining in me, and my words remain in you,” the kind of things you’re going to ask for are going to also be different. – Ed Stetzer
A lot of mainstream evangelicals stay away from John 15:7 because some will think they’re associated with the “health and wealth” prosperity gospel. They don’t engage this because they’re afraid of that association. – Craig Hazen
For people who need quick answers for difficult church-planting situations, God’s right there. He is Johnny-on-the-Spot. He wants us to be prepared to wait, but He’s a God of action. – Craig Hazen