Starting A Prayer Group! (Session 5) by Elaine Davenport January 27- Feb. 4, 2010
Welcome back for our fifth session on Prayer Warriors Training! 
Imagine that you were a soldier fighting in a war and that you were wounded and sent into the first aid station. Suppose they bandaged you up and had you to rehearse verbally what was going on out in the field and sent you back out there. You wouldn’t be that better off would you?
Or…when you went into the First Aid station …they would build you up so much that you’d be refreshed and re-charged to get back out there on the field to fight. You’d be a better soldier!
Now hold that thought.
We are going to deviate from our traditional format. If you are a prayer warrior God is going to use you as a force against the forces of darkness! This is a fact. But, two are better than one. There is a greater force in numbers.
That is why it is critical for you to find or start a prayer group. The purpose of the group should be multi-faceted:
1. To hold up a hedge against Satan.
“I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge…that I should not destroy…” (Ez.22:30)
The purpose of the hedge is to protect…
2. To answer the call; there must be an intercessor!
Ezekiel 22:30-31 (King James Version)
30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
3. You are tired of being powerless; your heart is drawn to pray for others, many of them that you do not know and will never know.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isa 40: 29
4. Build your faith
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
5. You want to be closer with God.
Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you. James 4: 8
6. You want to help people, encourage people, point them to God, to be used by God.
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
I guarantee that at first, it may seem a little awkward because you will get the sense that you do not know what to do. The answer is simple: Pray Pray Pray.
I’m begging you; learn to spend at least a couple of hours a day in prayer God will show you exactly what it is that you are to do.
In our prayer group, there are a lot of intercessors. Regarding an upcoming meeting, I had prayed for instructions and I felt led in my heart to call every single person in the group. Before I could do it, I received several calls from some of the other intercessors and their plans were to call other members in the group. When I sat down to use the computer there was an email from another key member if the group who was telling everyone the address to the meeting. This has never happened before. But, I had prayed for more help in leadership and people have stepped up to help like nobody’s business!
f My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Trust in God. He will send people with many spiritual gifts. In our group of over 20 intercessors; we have several writers, several teachers, a few prophets, musicians, pastors, evangelists, many ministers, entrepreneurs and people with special knowledge and training in specific intercession into the throne room. We have a powerful woman who has been greatly trained in the field of spiritual warfare, some with healing hands, some with gifts of exhortation and administration. God keeps revealing new layers. There is no back biting, in fighting and love abounds.
You will need to pray and ask God to point people out to you. Invite them over to your home or apartment for a small meeting of prayer. It might be nice to keep it short to about one hour and perhaps to serve refreshments later. You should pray for specific prayer points and pray for the people who come out. Please write to me if you decide to start a group so that our group can begin to intercede in prayer for the success of the prayer group. Encourage your members to bring their bibles. Take a trip to your local discount bible book store and see if you can find some inexpensive gifts for your gifts. Start now and save them up. If you start planning; plan for 3 to 6 months and pray during that time. It is very simple. God sent people more powerful than I had ever hoped to be and they continue to teach and inspire me I am humbled and thankful.
Exercise: Join an Online Prayer Group
Consider having a Prayer Conference Call
References:
Write us to tell us what you’ve found!
When people come and visit blogs, there is a whole set of data and verbage that cannot be seen. Some time ago, I looked and saw a picture of an upcoming Convention at my church with a huge sign saying:
HERETICS MEET AGAIN!
I was stung. I didn’t know what the word specifically meant, and I am sure that I am not the only one.
Here’s a definition: Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief, especially a religion, that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief.
- heretic – a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church
- heretic – a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)
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- We are real Christians who hear from God. WE ARE NOT HERETICS! !
- (Most people would ignore such claims and that’s good) I’m not mad because I know it is Spiritual Warfare brought on by a principality to take down the body of Christ; my prayer is that the people being used will wake up and be set free.)
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Here’s some scriptures to look at:
Satan enters into people:
3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. Luke 22
Satan can sift people like wheat:
31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you[a] as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. Luke 22
Satan has a dominion of darkness:
7I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God…
The devil is plotting against believers
Eph 6:11-12 …11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
The devil hopes that you get angry:
Eph 4:26-28 …26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
You have to resist the devil:
James 4:6-8 … 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Be on the watch, the devil is lurking around:
1 Peter 5:8-9 …8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Satan lies:
Rev 12:8-9 … 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Devotion to prayer can thwart the plans of Satan:
1 Cor 7:5-6 …5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT:
The Apostle Paul introduced this metaphor to contain division and confusion among the saints. His message was that we are different and assigned by God.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect;and our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
There will be judgment for those who persecute Christians and this includes other Christians.
Well…it doesn’t sound so bad. It simply means someone does not believe the same way everyone else does. But, unfortunately…the person that wrote the article implied that it was a false religion.
As soon as I read that, I began to pray because I knew it was Spiritual Warfare.
Here we had a Christian calling out other Christians and not just a few; for being different. What a waste. I am sure that it makes the devil happy. It is a divisive tool.
I would not even discuss it except I have seen certain strategies that the devil has used on believers and we must stop falling prey to it or we hinder God’s plan.
*** Lies are often spread about various ministries and often those lies will bring them down. Schemes like this can only be stopped in prayer.
***There was a huge amount of press that focused on the income received by many televangelists; it was a horrible demonic attack trying to get public support fueled by jealousy. It was surprising how frightened many believers got because they are so uninformed as to the nature of Spiritual Warfare. Satan used ministries and many believers as well as pastors to reject and persecute even if not overtly…these ministries.. The purpose of the attack was to bring the church to its’ knees.
It failed.
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This message and the messages at this site are designed not for the curious but specifically for gearing prayer intercessors to key prayer points.
If in fact, anyone in a postion of authority in a ministry finds your way here…please direct your prayer teams to hit on these prayer points. We will pray them out as well.
*** Churches must stick together and believers must stick together, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; this must be done. God will come back for one church. Not just your church but all people in the body of Christ!
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5: 8
I was working in the yard on a very quiet day on a very quiet street. As I began to walk towards my car to get some more gardening tools out for my work; I heard a rumble in the sky. I also heard loud drums beating and loud roaring. When I took a second look; nothing was there. I was praying in the Spirit at the time. The Lord was giving me a reminder: Satan has troops in training, an army that you cannot see. Their job is to take you out. They specialize in COVERT OPERATIONS. You better remember that.
I CAN SAY THAT WAS A GOOD WARNING.
Right after that, they made an attack on me ever so subtly.
RIDING IN THE CAR…
Not long after that, I was riding in my car with a friend. All of a sudden: they went off on me. (That means they said something completely crazy that made no sense; accusing me.) I immediately forgave them. I had to. (I have worked my way up to instant forgiveness) Imperfect thoughts began to come to my mind. I began to second guess myself.
In the distance, I heard a voice that sounded like my own (almost like a loud whisper) saying: “I’ve had enough.” I’m sick of this. It was as if I was being urged to scream this out.
I remembered a session of meditation that I had wit God where He often reminded me to protect my reputation at all costs. My decision was based on integrity. I figured that whoever the heathen was that was urging me to act ghetto would have to go back and crawl in whatever hole they emerged from. There would be no way for those words to come out of my mouth.
I had words alright; I began to pray in the spirit.
That next morning I remembered the war THAT IS GOING ON. (We can’t forget it for a second). Satan sets us up making us look at people instead of who is behind the troubles people sometimes bring. I made a decision: Satan will not pop popcorn and sit back and orchestrate my life like a made for Tv movie. Him and his cronies sit around yelling: “Yea, that’s good, that’s good” as each conflict arises. I’m sure they yelled: “Awww” as I began to pray in the spirit praying out the perfect will of God squishing out all of their fiery darts.
THAT SAID: LET’S PRAY:
In Hebrews 10: 25 in the International Version of the Bible; it says:
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Divine Father in the heavenlies, we bask in Your presence and we marvel at You. Thank you for this present day and Your presence in this place! You are God and God alone and there is none like You.
We just thank you for Your Word Lord. Father, we stand before you with true hearts and power packed faith this day. Your Word says Be fruitful and multiply so we receive that as a fresh Word not to be ignored in this life.
We stand ready for any battle Lord and we make this pledge from Your Word:
We Put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore “we” take unto ourselves the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. We Stand therefore, having our loins girt about with truth and we have on the breastplate of righteousness; And our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, we take the shield of faith, wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And we take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: We pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and we watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Oh Father, we just praise You. We’re ready for battle and we declare certain Victory right now in Jesus Name. AMEN
Numbers 6:24-26
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Yesterday, there was a hole in my schedule. There rarely is as I am busy a lot of most days. But yesterday, in the afternoon there was a window of time. My uncle was diagnosed with a rather serious condition and a long time family friend was seeing after him.
I thought about her and about how many older people she had taken time out to see after or to clean up their houses. I remember how many times she did it without pay. I also recalled how challenging it had been for her to get to the various places without a car or a driver’s license. As a result, if she calls me for a ride; I generally try to accommodate her if I am able.
I was thinking about how kind she is and it was imprinted upon my heart about her salvation. Not long after that, my phone rang and it was her. She needed a ride home which is about 6 or 7 miles away. I take her home a lot but this time I wasn’t going to be able to because of some challenges with my car. I explained the situation and told her that I would come by and pick her up and take her to get something to eat and then help her find the right bus stop and stand there with her to wait on the bus and to make certain that it was the right one. It had been in my spirit to do this if I wasn’t able to drive.
She was very amenable to this. In fact, after I picked her up and began to minister to her; she explained that she had prayed and asked the Lord to have me go the bus stop and wait with her until the bus came to make sure that it was the right one.
When we finally got to the bus stop a few bees chased us but we held our ground and ignored them. Finally, a young man came along and in answering us informed us that we were at the right bus stop and we made a lot of small talk; the three of us.
Pretty soon, we were joined by a woman who had just gotten out of jail. She explained that she had been incarcerated for 45 days for driving with a suspended drivers license. She was anxious to see her 4-year-old son. Can you imagine the hardship? It seems the Correctional Facility which was over 100 miles away had their representatives drop her off in the Metro area, nowhere near her home and they told her to catch a bus by showing the Bus Driver her arm band as proof of recent jail release. She had no money. She asked us first if we thought she could ride for free and we honestly didn’t know. Then she asked how much the bus fare was and we told her. She was going to run to an ATM machine about a block away to get some money; and try to get back before the overdue bus arrived.
As she ran up a hill nearby; we called her back. It’s true that she was a stranger but it didn’t seem fair to have her do all of that and we could help her. We gave her the bus fare. I told her: “There are no coincidences. The bible says that we are supposed to help people.’ So she smiled and took the money. As we all began to talk, the other person that was there began to talk about a similar incarceration that he had faced for driving with a suspended license. He talked about the hardships he had faced and indicated that it was his fault so he was past reflecting on it. She agreed with him. He explained that he was on his way to his second job because he was about to gain custody of his little children and had to save money.
John 14:13-14
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
I am a prayer warrior and a lot of people might say: “Did you bring them to Christ?” No, I didn’t but when I asked them all if we could hold hands and pray, they all agreed and I led a prayer and then spoke a Blessing over all of their lives. I am believing that God will send a worthy laborer behind me to bring them to Christ because that is most important. They were very thankful for the prayer; hearts have been prepared. It was my job on that day to point them to God. Not long afterward, the bus came; they all got on and we all waved good-bye. Now that’s the kind of day that I like to have.
Or was it just spiritual warfare?
I remember standing in church, touched by the Spirit of God and just praising God. I was charged up and rightfully so. God has been more than good to me and I know it. So that means I’m thankful; but does immense thankfulness translate to great faith? I am sure that that depends on each individual and a host of other factors. Certainly, we should all be in the business of building our faith and keeping an eye on where we are at. Why? That’s easy, so we don’t slip, so we don’t drawback.
The devil has chosen to whoop on me periodically with “symptoms” a headache. I have always been able to apply the Blood of Jesus as well as healing scriptures and have these symptoms of a headache go away. To describe the “symptoms” is important because they are of great and growing intensity when they come. They don’t come often enough for me to take them seriously, but they come. I wouldn’t give them this much ink except this whole illustration may help someone.
Last night they were very bad and I just began to praise God over and over again. I praised myself to sleep. Before I went to sleep in the midst of a great symptom of pain; I felt a very cool breeze blow on me. I was lying near the fan, but it was on low. The Central Air was on in my house but the vent doesn’t work well in my room. Yet, there was this breeze that was blowing on my face like from the North Pole and I was feeling so good from it that I didn’t want it to stop. I was still Praising God as everything unfolded and the praise brought forth my healing.
This morning I was sleeping so good, I didn’t want to get up. We can stand on the Word of God.
Editor’s Note: I can truthfully say that I got victory over the devil with the headaches. For several years, I had them until I decided no more. Maybe now instead of getting them 300 days a year, I may…may get them 2 days a year. When I do, I refuse to receive them!
If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15
- Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. John 14:21
(This was an article that I wrote a few years ago.)
On Sunday, I went by to take dinner to my uncle who has been facing a health challenge and he handed me a newspaper article. “I saved this for you.” He said with a smile. I read the article with great interest and I was so happy.
It seems our local paper, The Detroit Free Press, had written an article on a young man by the name of Aaron Hopson, A MAN WHO LOVES GOD is a thirty something year old attorney. I’ve got to shorten the story but here is a good synopsis:
Aaron Hopson was praying at his kitchen table and God told him to introduce a prayer in a way that would be inspiring and encouraging. So he went to work. With heavenly backing, he created the recording of “The Battle Ready Prayer CD.” The prayer is underscored by Joe McNair.
It seems that the prayer is a hit in Christian circles. It seems the focus is to seek the Lord’s Blessing on His people.
He says that the prayer talks about how to be toward your fellow-man, walking in love, walking in forgiveness, praying over marriages, praying for single people and prayers concerning children. Aaron says that these resulted from prayers that he has been making over the years.
On most any Wednesday, Aaron, Ryan Morris of Detroit,Mi, Julius Curling of Livonia, Mi and Barrett Hirston of Southfield, Mi are delivering food and clothing to the homeless population under Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.
THE IMPACT OF THE CD
Aaron reports that as a result of cooperation and collaboration in a spirit of goodwill ; many have assisted in passing along the Cd’s. To date, over 35,000 have been given out. He mentioned that recently a ministry wanted to take 250 to South Africa.
HELPING HANDS
I am sure that many who shall remain nameless have assisted greatly; but according to the article his mom and dad: Joy and Raymond Hopson II of Southfield, Mi take orders and pack Cd’s while he is at work.
Professionally, he is an attorney who oversees the Children’s Justice Center of the Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services. They have implemented an Outreach program teaching about the law, rights and responsibilities of citizens, conflict resolution and other interesting topics.
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING…
Aaron is a born again believer who stands firmly on and is rooted in the Word of God. I am asking you today to lift up he and his entire family and his friends in prayer. We praise God for saints like him that are doers of the Word and not forgetful hearers only.
Aaron further mentioned in the article that his brother Raymond, two nephews Raymond IV and Andrew as well as his wife Julia and son Aaron Jr. age seven years help with the project. They also have a daughter Charity, who is age nineteen months.
For a sound file of the free prayer , please visit the link on the left side of the page.
THIS IS A HUGE P.S.
OH MY GOD. THAT PRAYER IS SO BLESSED. THANK YOU JESUS. PRAISE GOD. YOU HAVE TO HEAR IT.
I also thank God that I was able to read such a wonderful article in my local paper.
Footnote: The Battle Ready Prayer Cd is extremely popular and in demand. Our sites have received a multitude of hits from people attempting to find a link to access it. We thank God for Aaron and Julia Hopson and their obedience, big hearts and their faithfulness.
I was once asked to be a speaker moderator for a group giving a presentation on Men and Women of the bible. I was told that they would dress in costume. Imagine my shock when I arrived and I saw a man dressed in a red jump suit that was a little tight. He was supposed to be satan…. I got angry. not so much at the man but at the thought that satan could even be regarded as a “man” of the bible. Satan is a fallen angel….an angel…a bad one. The adversary, the enemy, lower than man.
This could easily be a book. The best way to make the devil take you serioously…is for you to remember who he is and act accordingly.
Let’s look at this:
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan … (who) was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone … and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Revelation 20:1-3, 10
The devil cannot and will not win. But, you must take him seriously . A good strategy is to stay in the presence of God and read and understand Ephesians 6: 10-18…and remember at all times that we are in a war!
“Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having gird your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–”
I have studied this and for years I’ve overlooked or assumed the first line.
It says Be strong in God. Be strong in the power of God. THAT IS THE MINDSET THAT YOU MUST HAVE!!! EVERY DAY.
** I PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD!!!
1. Put on God’s whole armour.
WHAT IS GOD’S ARMOUR?
Then: ***STAND AND GIRD YOUR WAIST (YOUR WHOLE BEING) WITH TRUTH (WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT IT.)
***BEFORE YOU DO THAT PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS…(COVER YOUR HEART WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUS!) I SAY: I AM RIGHTEOUS!! I PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND I COVER MY HEART!
*** MY FEET ARE SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
*** I PUT ON THE SHIELD OF FAITH!!
*** I PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION
*** I TAKE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
*** I PRAY IN THE SPIRIT BEING WATCHFUL AND MAKING ALL SUPPLICATION FOR THE SAINTS!!!
PRAY FOR THE SAINTS OF GOD!!! PRAY FOR THE SAINTS!!!
***DO THIS DAILY…GUARANTEED THE DEVIL WILL TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY!!! GYARANTEED…MEAN IT THOUGH…IT IS NOT A RITUAL..>GET IT IN YOUR HEART!!!
