Testimonies from the prayer room

• We have had a request from a mum whose daughter (primary school age) is keen to come to the prayer room. She has made a sacred space under her bed for spending time with God. She also uses lego to pray with and is often praying for the persecuted church. We are talking about having some SoHOP time particularly for children. The mum is asking around her friends for when is the best time. 

• One of the people who comes to the drop in over the last year has shared with the hosts about a relative who was sent to prison. They have prayed through this situation over the months. The relative has now been released and prayers about them meeting Christians have been answered.

• "I was praying for my family and the Lord whispered to me that He is concerned for the whole city. I saw a picture of a lion walking on the walls of Southampton and roaring. Jesus is calling us to wake up and see the desolation in the city and start to pray.

• One of our community, Hazel, is just about to move to the Isle of Wight with her husband. On a recent visit to see the flat they are moving into they miraculously bumped into  the pastors of their nearest church and have made a great connection there. There is a prayer initiative there that they are wanting to rejuvenate and it seems wonderful timing for them that Hazel is coming. 

And here is a summary of some of the points:

Elijah had been on quite an adventure

• challenging the prophets of Baal, which ended in fire from heaven and the prophets of Baal being killed

• he announced to the king what he perceived  - "I hear a mighty rainstorm coming" - and then went up the mountain to pray fervently, until his servant saw the cloud the size of a fist.

• he told the king the rain was coming and to go quickly. A terrific rainstorm came and God gave Elijah special strength to run in front of the kings chariot all the way back to Jezreel.

• the king's wife breathed out a fierce threat to kill Elijah within the day

• Elijah fled for his life, leaving his servant at Beersheba and going on into the wilderness - he collapsed under a broom tree. 

• He prayed to the Lord that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord. Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died."

• And he lay down and slept.

Crashed out. Exhausted. Demoralised. Been through such amazing times, that we might call victories. Yet he was burnt out.

God had more for Elijah. 

Miraculous sustenance

• God's messenger came: an angel touched him and told  him "Get up and eat!". There was miraculous provision of bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water.

• Elijah ate and slept again. The messenger returned. Touched him again. 

  • "Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you" (NLT)

  • "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." (NKJV)

• Having got up, eaten and drank, he travelled 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.

And now the encounter

Elijah is in a cave. God asks Elijah what he is doing here. [what a wonderful question - where are you now, what are you doing here?]

And we see what is in Elijah's heart - "I have served you but the people have deserted you. I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me too."

• God prepares to meet with Elijah: "Go out and stand before me on the mountain".

• Not in the mighty windstorm.

• Not in earthquake.

• Not in the fire.

• Elijah appears to have gone back into the cave because now there is the sound of a gentle whisper, and 

  • "When Elijah heard it he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave."

• And a voice said "What are you doing here Elijah" [same question again]. 

• Elijah gives the same answer: I have served you but the people have deserted you. I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me too.

• The Lord gives Elijah a fresh commission:

  • To anoint various kings - to reposition people in influence

  • To anoint Elisha as his successor - to grow the team!

  • There is a remnant of 7,000 in the land! - we are not alone!!

We are not alone!

This thing is on!

God is moving!

How to survive an awakening

But the journey is great and we need to eat. 

How do we eat? At the centre of every awakening is the centrality of the cross. Feed on Jesus.

• The Moravians said: "may the lamb that was slain receive the reward for his suffering."

• Theme song of the Welsh revival - "Here is love, vast as the ocean!"

It has been said that every new step in the kingdom will cost us everything we have gained to date.

i.e. We can't rely on the ways we have fed ourselves up until now.

When there is an awakening/revival, it will mean a lot of extra time needed to make disciples etc.

ACTION - Write down what you need to do now if you are going to live through an awakening...