WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.980 Thank you again, and I just want to almost take the words we've just sung and make them 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:10.880 my own expression of thanks to God that all my life you have been faithful. 00:00:11.480 --> 00:00:18.660 This year, 2025, we have been full-time in Christian ministry for 55 years and an amazing 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:19.699 sense of God's provision. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:24.359 We chose never to receive a stipend, so we've always lived of the gospel and sensed God's 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:25.160 amazing provision. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:30.260 And also his protection, that sense of his hand over us and his unfolding purposes. 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:36.140 And so what I share with you today is out of that lifetime of all my life, you have been 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:37.700 so, so good. 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:39.320 God has been very gracious. 00:00:40.259 --> 00:00:45.299 And I want to share with you today something of that key of prayer, that faithfulness in 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:45.560 prayer. 00:00:47.019 --> 00:00:49.960 You know, prayer is the key to the Christian life. 00:00:51.120 --> 00:00:53.460 It was so from the very beginning, the early church. 00:00:53.460 --> 00:01:01.280 It says in Acts 1 that all the believers were together constantly in prayer. 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:07.040 And when Acts 2 comes in that mighty moment of their 120 in that upper room and the Holy 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:10.740 Spirit comes upon them, it's in a context of prayer where they've been praying and suddenly 00:01:10.740 --> 00:01:15.200 there's that mighty rushing wind and those cloven tongues of fire and they're all filled with 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:15.780 the Holy Spirit. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:22.640 With a church where you encourage that inclusion, here is a wonderful statement from the early 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:23.099 church. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:27.060 They were all, all filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:31.120 They were a mixed bunch, doubting Thomas and all the others of them among them, etc. 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:32.400 But they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:36.140 It wasn't that, you know, 10 of them were filled on that particular day of Pentecost, then 00:01:36.140 --> 00:01:39.099 two years later, another 20 of them, and, you know, 20 years later. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:40.359 No, it wasn't like that. 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:41.500 They were all filled. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:42.120 Why? 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:48.260 Because this was the birth of the church and that fullness of the Holy Spirit is the birthright 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:50.060 of every believer. 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:54.040 When Jesus said, I've come, you might have life and life in all its fullness. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:57.640 We're going to live that fullness of life in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 00:01:58.360 --> 00:02:01.400 And key to releasing that is prayer. 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:05.040 Faithfulness in prayer. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:11.159 I particularly want to speak about a prophetic word I felt over this last year, and I mentioned 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:11.719 it earlier. 00:02:12.260 --> 00:02:17.599 God's saying to his church, not just the Woodlands, but his church at large, and I've shared it 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:23.599 in many different situations, expect a fresh wave of my spirit in prayer. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:27.560 And that I sense God's prophetic word for us here today. 00:02:28.140 --> 00:02:28.599 Expect. 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:29.120 Expect. 00:02:29.859 --> 00:02:32.799 And it's the extent to which we're really open and expectant that we will experience 00:02:32.799 --> 00:02:33.479 that reality. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:38.400 My prayer is that we'll not just talk about it, but we'll experience it here among us. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:40.840 So how does this work? 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:44.620 What does it mean to experience that fresh wave of God's spirit? 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:50.120 Because while prayer is the key to the Christian life, it's also one of the hardest things for 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:50.599 us to do. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:55.519 It's the thing that's most vulnerable to the weakness of our human flesh. 00:02:55.520 --> 00:03:01.960 You know, Jesus, we mentioned in our prayers this morning, the disciples, when they saw 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:05.460 Jesus praying, there was something about an intimacy with his father as he prayed. 00:03:05.920 --> 00:03:07.540 He said he lifted his head to heaven, he prayed. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:10.939 The disciples said, Lord, teach us to pray, like that, as it were. 00:03:11.640 --> 00:03:12.640 And he teaches them to pray. 00:03:13.600 --> 00:03:19.379 There came a moment at the end of Jesus' life on earth where perhaps particularly he valued 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:20.160 their prayers. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:25.100 This was that moment in the Garden of Gethsemane where he faced the agony of the cross. 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:32.519 And so he takes just a few of the disciples aside and he says to them, watch and pray with 00:03:32.519 --> 00:03:32.759 me. 00:03:33.019 --> 00:03:37.240 This was going to be the moment of greatest challenge that we're in that moment where 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:42.240 Jesus is, he goes, steps aside and begins to pray and he's in such anguish that he sweats 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:45.459 great drops of blood as he prays the father. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:48.060 And then he turns to the disciples. 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:51.560 He's just asked to stand with him in prayer, to watch and pray. 00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:52.780 And do you know what? 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:54.780 They're fast asleep. 00:03:56.240 --> 00:04:01.659 Now, if you're honest this morning, have you ever fallen asleep trying to pray? 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:03.020 Hmm. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:05.060 Have you ever felt too tired to pray? 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:06.280 Yeah. 00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:10.099 That's because of the weakness of our human flesh. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:16.579 That's why Jesus says to those disciples there in the garden, the spirit is willing, but 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:18.740 the flesh is weak. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:24.159 And we are conscious, particularly in prayer, of that weakness of human flesh. 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:29.199 Where we feel the tiredness of our own human weakness, we feel we're easily distracted, 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:34.259 we're easily discouraged, we easily give up on prayer because we haven't seen the answer 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:35.759 to our prayer yesterday, as it were. 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:44.659 But this, above all, is where we can experience the help of the Holy Spirit in prayer. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:46.159 Listen to these words again. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:49.500 I'm going to put them up on the screen and we'll leave it up if we may for a little while. 00:04:49.579 --> 00:04:50.659 So back to Romans 8. 00:04:50.660 --> 00:04:54.660 And we can... 00:04:55.439 --> 00:05:02.340 So, in the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:08.140 So those times when you feel too tired to pray, that's when you most ought to pray because 00:05:08.140 --> 00:05:11.379 that's when you could most experience the help of the Holy Spirit in prayer. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:15.160 And I often say to some people, people come to me and say, Robert, I really struggle in 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:15.740 my prayer life. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:16.620 I've got a busy job. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:18.980 I get up, I have to rush out to work. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:21.819 I'm too tired when I come back and I just feel too tired to pray, Rob. 00:05:22.200 --> 00:05:27.080 And he said, well, next time you feel like that, don't come and tell me it. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:29.600 Just say to God, oh God, I just feel too tired to pray today. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:30.920 Talk to God about it. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:32.040 Pray. 00:05:33.280 --> 00:05:37.300 Because it's in that weakness when we can say to God, oh God, I feel too tired to pray, 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:39.860 that God, by his spirit, helps us in our weakness. 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:44.800 Times when we feel discouraged or distracted, the Holy Spirit helps us. 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:48.720 So those very moments when you would least like to pray, you don't pray because you're 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:49.180 feeling too tired. 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:52.280 No, those are the times when you most need to pray because that's when you can experience 00:05:52.280 --> 00:05:53.040 the help of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:54.700 We're going to see how that works this morning. 00:05:55.140 --> 00:05:56.420 We're going to unfold these scriptures together. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:59.360 See, scripture is the base of authority for all life and practice. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:03.740 It's not just that our practice of prayer are liturgically on our church background. 00:06:04.440 --> 00:06:07.620 Scripture is the base of authority for all life and practice. 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:11.639 So the spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:20.300 But even more than that, the spirit helps us when we do not know what we ought to pray. 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:21.319 Wow. 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:25.620 So it's not only sometimes that we're too tired to pray, but even when we do feel a little 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:27.579 enough to pray, we're not quite sure what to pray. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:29.180 Maybe we feel someone on our heart. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:32.199 We haven't seen them for weeks or months and we don't even know what we should be praying 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:32.620 for them. 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:35.360 Or maybe you're facing a difficult decision at the moment in your life. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:39.040 You're not quite sure what actually would be the right next step. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:41.240 You don't even know what to pray for. 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:46.259 Whether it's something in your family or whether it's your work or whether it's your finances 00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:48.040 or whether you should move house or not move house. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:50.399 You know, and you're, well, I'm not too sure what I should pray for. 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:52.740 Should I pray for, Lord, give me number eight along the road there? 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:54.100 No, I don't even know what to pray for. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:07:01.300 That time when I was praying over those months for that Woodlands building, I didn't know 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:03.139 what God was at work doing. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:05.920 I just felt a stirring my heart to pray. 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:08.939 So how does that work? 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.400 Many years ago now, we had a young couple who'd come to know the Lord. 00:07:14.460 --> 00:07:15.180 It was wonderful to see them. 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:17.860 They got married and he was a fireman, in fact. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:24.160 And they then felt God's call to serve overseas in Central Africa in a really difficult situation. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.000 And we were praying for them every day. 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:32.819 Now, this is a long time ago when you didn't have internet and emails and all the other 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:34.120 social media communications. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:37.220 In fact, you used to have a little kind of blue envelope you'd fold up and seal along the 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:40.639 edges and you'd send it about two weeks to get there and two weeks to get back. 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:44.079 And so we didn't know exactly what was happening, but we were praying for them faithfully. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:46.899 And then this particular day, there was so much on my heart. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:49.759 In the morning when I normally prayed them, I felt them on my heart. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:54.000 But all day, lunchtime, afternoon, evening, and when I went to bed, I didn't normally pray, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:54.920 but I felt them on my heart. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:58.279 And I woke up at two o'clock in the morning on my heart. 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:04.300 Now, I knew I felt a stirring and it must be so, but I didn't know what to pray. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:08.600 I suppose two o'clock in the morning, I also felt the weakness of feeling a bit tired too 00:08:08.600 --> 00:08:09.439 when I just woke up two o'clock. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:12.279 But the Holy Spirit helps us in those moments. 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.379 I really felt that stirring of God's Spirit. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:19.899 And literally, I'm holding him now, I can still see a picture of him now even. 00:08:19.899 --> 00:08:22.779 And I felt the Holy Spirit help me in that praying. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:29.039 What was to pray with our Spirit, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to pray in the Spirit. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:32.659 And I really felt a kind of breakthrough in prayer, although I didn't even know just what 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:33.379 was happening with them. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:37.100 And in the morning, I couldn't wait to get my little blue envelope and write my little 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:38.360 email letter and I sent it off. 00:08:38.439 --> 00:08:42.100 And it took, again, two weeks to get there and about 10 days to come back. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:44.759 And when the letter came back, it was worth waiting for. 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:48.120 Dear Rob, thank you so much for your letter. 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:49.940 You can't imagine how encouraged we were. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.840 It's been a challenging time here in Africa. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:58.779 But on that very day when you were praying, we were traveling from Central Africa to South 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:03.480 Africa on this really major road, but it's really a dirt track with great potholes and 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.300 you get great wagons coming along. 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:06.000 We were traveling. 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:06.560 We had to travel. 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:07.259 It was a long journey. 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:10.240 So we were traveling through the night and you get these great wagons coming along the 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:10.480 road. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.680 And they even got lights on them. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:15.399 And as we're coming along, suddenly one of these came out of the darkness in the car 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:16.019 in front of us. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:16.879 It was a fatal accident. 00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:18.279 Literally, we managed to swerve around. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.960 We got to the other side of it. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:23.460 We felt a real deep breath of relief. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:30.420 And we looked at our watches and we said, someone somewhere must be praying for us. 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:38.060 That was the exact time we'd said in our letter to them what time we'd do it. 00:09:38.060 --> 00:09:39.120 The exact time we prayed. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:47.340 Now, how is it that, I mean, first of all, why does God Almighty, who can, he's all powerful, 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:48.519 he could save them. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:51.259 Why does he need to wake me up two o'clock in the morning? 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.000 Why? 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:57.799 Because the sovereign Lord does none of his purposes here on earth without revealing them 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:58.700 prophetically through us. 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:01.259 Prayer life is not just my shopping list of needs. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:04.299 Prayer is God revealing his purposes. 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:07.299 God stirring us in prayer. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:12.339 But you say, Robert, how does it work when you, what about if you're too tired to pray 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:13.779 or you don't know what to pray? 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:15.199 How does the spirit help us? 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:18.859 Well, this scripture is perhaps one of the most amazing scriptures in the whole of the Bible 00:10:18.859 --> 00:10:24.240 that gives us the greatest insight to the whole way in which in that spiritual realm, 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.179 prayer works in that heavenly realm. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:27.120 Listen to it. 00:10:27.719 --> 00:10:28.039 It says, 00:10:29.079 --> 00:10:31.539 In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:10:31.859 --> 00:10:38.279 We do not know what we ought to pray, but the spirit himself intercedes for us through 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:40.199 wordless groans. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:42.339 What is wordless groans? 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:46.179 I mean, you feel a heartache and you feel your sturdiness. 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:50.399 I felt that sighing and that groaning that night, but it was more than that. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.039 I felt the Holy Spirit witnessing in my spirit. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.179 I felt that release of my spirit in prayer. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:11:01.179 Now, in fact, F.F. Bruce, some of you may remember, those who are old enough, F.F. Bruce, 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:05.179 a very famous theologian and one of the ones who did some of the deciphering of the Dead 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:10.279 Sea Scrolls, etc., but he writes a Tyndale commentary on Romans, one of those definitive 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:10.860 commentaries. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:15.220 And when he comes to this word here, he says, actually, the word here is the word glasalia. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:20.079 It's the same word as used in 1 Corinthians and in Acts for tongues. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.819 And someone spoke in tongues. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:27.139 And it was that sense in which there was a release in their spirit. 00:11:27.699 --> 00:11:31.199 Now, this is F.F. Bruce, I'm writing from a very interesting tradition and background, 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:33.379 but he's saying, actually, this is what this word is. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:40.120 You think, but wait, Rob, I mean, 20-century life today, I mean, what do you mean by speaking 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:40.620 in tongues? 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:45.159 And sometimes we may feel fearful of even the thought of what does it mean, kind of talking 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.159 gobbledygooch? 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:51.539 When God has made us rational creatures, articulate creatures, able to express our feelings and 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:56.819 our thoughts in articulate language, why would we ever need gobbledygooch? 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:05.539 But when we think about it, actually, it's amazing, you know, that the God who's made us is not 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:10.720 limited to articulate human language to communicate our deepest feelings and passions. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:14.500 In fact, God has given us other expressions. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:19.560 Let me just take, by way of illustration, the two extremes, if you like, of where I want 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:22.220 to express the deepest of my feelings and passions, okay? 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.220 Where words seem too limited. 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:34.980 Let me take one extreme of joy, happiness, delight, fun, laughter, joy. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:40.759 Now, I could tell you this morning, the best joke you've ever heard. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:44.139 Now, I never tell any jokes, so I'm not very good at telling jokes in sermons, so there 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:44.340 we are. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:47.399 But as far as I did this morning, I told you the best joke you've ever heard, all right? 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:50.600 You're sat there listening to it, and I get to the strap line, you're all listening to 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:56.200 it, and as I give you the strap line, because you're rational, articulate creatures, you simply 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:58.180 say, that is funny. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.980 That is... 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:04.240 What is this strange flapping of a diaphragm inside of us? 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.340 We call it laughter. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.460 It's wordless. 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:10.399 It's from the very depth of our being. 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.379 Life would be the poorer without it. 00:13:13.920 --> 00:13:20.580 Mind, as we'll find with tongues or any other of these expressions God has given us, our background, 00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:22.340 our environment can shape it. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:26.840 You may be brought up in a family where laughter is rather thought as frivolous. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:30.100 And so, you never laugh. 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:32.200 You know, it would be being frivolous to laugh. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.600 Not you couldn't laugh. 00:13:34.540 --> 00:13:36.800 It's just you've never done it, never practiced it. 00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:38.680 In fact, avoided it. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:41.519 Let me take the other extreme, because that's even perhaps more poignant. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:44.720 Sadness. 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.100 Heartache. 00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:47.580 Grief. 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.379 Pain. 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.040 Suffering. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:49.700 Sorrow. 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:54.879 I could tell you the saddest news you've ever heard this morning. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:14:03.559 But because you are rational and articulate creatures, when I tell you that, you simply say, 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:06.419 that is sad, that is sad, that is sad. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.539 Which is understandable. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:11.659 But, God has given us tear ducts. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.919 We all got them. 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:18.179 In fact, it's important, even when it comes to grief. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:21.120 You know, sometimes even as Christians, you may feel, well look, we shouldn't really cry. 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:23.159 We shouldn't really grieve, because we know they've gone to be with the Lord. 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.419 No, no, no, no, we don't. 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:27.259 We do grieve, but we don't grieve as those who have no hope. 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.939 But we feel the loss of loved ones. 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:31.259 That's a measure of how much we've valued them, appreciated them. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:33.539 In fact, it's important to cry. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.299 It's important to weep. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.240 We weep for those that weep. 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:49.179 Now, again, you could be brought up in a context where it's a bit of a macho image. 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:50.659 In church, we never cry. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:54.679 It's seen as weakness, and therefore, we, so we'd never do it. 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:55.679 That doesn't mean we couldn't. 00:14:55.739 --> 00:14:56.899 We've all got tear ducts. 00:14:57.579 --> 00:15:02.620 I remember some years ago, a church minister came to see me, 00:15:02.739 --> 00:15:05.599 and a young fellow who'd been a minister a few years, 00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:08.239 but a lovely fellow from a lovely, I knew his family well, 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:11.039 and he said, Robert, can I come and see you? 00:15:11.079 --> 00:15:15.439 He said, I'm just struggling, because he was from a somewhat traditional background, 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:19.180 where he wasn't familiar with things like speaking in tongues, 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:24.860 or that kind of more expressive ways of the Holy Spirit, most manifest ways, 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:27.560 but he was certainly a godly man. 00:15:27.780 --> 00:15:31.780 And he said, there's a small group of people in our church, Rob, 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:34.780 and they've come into some new experience of the Holy Spirit, he said, 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:37.540 and they're speaking all sort of gobbledygook, as it were, 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:39.720 and having words and prophecies and all sorts of things, 00:15:39.780 --> 00:15:40.640 and I don't know what to do. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:45.879 So I said, well, let me just share with you from the scripture 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:48.659 my understanding of what this means. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:51.939 And this was one of the scriptures here in Romans 8 that I shared, 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.759 and we talked together for about two hours or so, 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:55.139 and as we were talking together, 00:15:55.679 --> 00:16:00.120 I could see there was a sense of light dawning in some of those areas, 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.980 and I said, it's not something to be afraid of, 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.659 it's not some strange mystical thing, 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:05.299 it's not linked with a particular denomination, 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.519 this was the early church. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:12.600 In Acts 1, all the believers were together constantly in prayer. 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.079 In Acts 2, as they're praying together, 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.919 suddenly the Holy Spirit comes upon them, 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:17.259 they're all filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:21.000 and they all speak with the languages. 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.000 You think, oh, goodness. 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:26.199 So having finished sharing with him, 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:29.319 I said, look, would you be open yourself 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:33.519 just to experience in prayer that quickening of God's spirit in prayer? 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.500 And he said, I would, Rob, but I wouldn't know where to begin. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.120 I said, well, can I pray for you? 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:39.639 He said, would you? 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.699 I said, I'd love to. 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.019 Now, we were at home, 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:43.579 we were sat on a sofa just opposite of me, 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.919 I was sat in an armchair here, 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.019 and he stood up, 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.179 and I stood up too, 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.860 and I carry with me, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.000 I've used it most days, 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.340 so I have a little cruise of oil, 00:16:51.699 --> 00:16:52.939 just a symbol of the Holy Spirit, 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:54.980 and as I stepped across to him, 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:56.240 he was standing a bit taller than me, 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:58.319 and I said, I'm just going to take this oil 00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:59.259 and anoint you with it. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.720 It's a symbol of the Holy Spirit. 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.840 But as I anoint you, 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:04.240 I'm going to pray for that fresh anointing. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:07.579 I just reached out and touched his forehead with this oil, 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.460 and as I did, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:11.099 he rested back into the sofa, 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.920 and he began to sob, 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.079 and sob, 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.160 and sob so deeply, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.500 and I've never heard anybody sob, 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:18.680 and he's almost gasping for breath in between, 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.799 and he suddenly says between his, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.740 he says, Rob, 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:20.980 he says, 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:21.980 don't worry, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.299 it's not sadness, 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.839 he said, 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:27.000 I have not cried for over 20 years, 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:28.819 but today, 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.720 from deep within, 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:32.559 I sense something well happened inside of me, 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.759 like a release, 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.299 as it were. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.059 Sure enough, 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.019 for him, 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.420 since then, 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.700 he has led many others, 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.579 not only to know Jesus, 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.299 but to experience that fullness of God's Spirit, 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:44.279 and his prayers have touched many lives. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:47.839 So, 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:50.279 how does it work when it says, 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.559 listen to what goes on the next slide. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.160 So, 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:57.899 I'm two o'clock in the morning, 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.519 God has put on my heart, 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.480 this couple in Africa, 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.680 I don't know what to pray. 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:04.839 If God were to search my mind at that moment, 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.799 I would have no idea what his will was for them. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.500 What he does is, 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:11.059 he searches my heart. 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.000 So, 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.500 this is how it happens, 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.960 he who searches our hearts, 00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.519 knows the mind of the Spirit, 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:19.480 because the Spirit intercedes for God's people, 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:21.759 in accordance with God's will. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.379 So, 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:23.940 though I, 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:25.359 didn't know, 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.200 what to be praying at that moment, 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:29.200 the Holy Spirit is interceding with me, 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.659 and in me, 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:30.720 and through me by his Spirit. 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.139 And God who searches my heart, 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.059 can see on my heart, 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.539 is this couple, 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.279 but in my mind, 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.940 I don't even know how, 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:38.159 but he's releasing by his Spirit, 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.480 in prayer. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.859 The Bible speaks about, 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.259 praying with our mind, 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.700 and praying with our spirit. 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.659 What does it mean to pray with our spirit? 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:51.019 What does it mean to know that release of God's Spirit, 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:51.539 in prayer, 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:53.539 where you feel a welling up of the Holy Spirit, 00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.019 in prayer, 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:54.579 and a release? 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.279 Let me just illustrate, 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.740 a little of how, 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.639 even just taking this word, 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.099 if you like, 00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:04.659 that I've felt I'm taking today, 00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:06.819 expect a fresh wave of God's Spirit, 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.259 in prayer. 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.440 So I've been feeling that, 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.359 over this past year. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:11.479 And I've found, 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.319 wave after wave of God, 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:15.319 just amazing things, 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.479 God doing in answer to prayer. 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.500 About the middle of the year, 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:20.240 I'm in a time of prayer, 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.919 just along with God praying, 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:24.339 and I seek to spend, 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.799 extended time each day in prayer. 00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:26.799 And in this time of prayer, 00:19:26.979 --> 00:19:29.439 I felt God putting on my heart, 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.359 unusually, 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.079 because I'm at the other, 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:34.119 end of life, 00:19:34.219 --> 00:19:34.879 age-wise, 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.519 God's put my heart, 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:36.559 God, 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.279 a young generation, 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.480 a next generation. 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.700 I'm feeling really stirred. 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.579 I once would have done, 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.400 lots of youth camps, 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:43.920 and things like that, 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.319 but that was many years ago now, 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.440 but I'm really feeling stirred about it, 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.259 and I'm feeling, 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.779 oh God, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.220 I'm actually thinking, 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.680 God, 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:50.859 but, 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:51.639 you know, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.660 all the challenges, 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.660 that young people face today, 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.039 mental illness, 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.220 social media pressures, 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.299 peer group pressures, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.220 drug culture, 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:02.619 life, 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.579 knife culture, 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.699 in our own city, 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.220 and thinking, 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:05.819 oh God, 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:06.099 there's been, 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:08.179 and I say aloud then to the Lord in prayer, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:08.460 God, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.359 there's been generation X, 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.099 generation Y, 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:10.819 generation Z. 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.799 I felt God say to me, 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.439 as clear as if he was sat next to me, 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.439 there's going to be a new generation, 00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:19.740 an alpha generation, 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:22.559 a new move of my spirit, 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.980 among young people. 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.439 Ooh, 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.220 I'm really being stirred, 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:29.319 and I'm praying now each day for this, 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.740 a fresh wave of God's spirit, 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:33.099 to reach this new generation, 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.279 this alpha generation. 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.419 The next week, 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.959 I have a call from a friend in Bath, 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:39.679 and I can remember when he was a young person, 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.279 came to the Lord, 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:42.480 he's now a vicar over in Bath, 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.699 and he said, 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:43.819 Rob, 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.980 we've just had this schools week, 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.899 and we had a band with us called LZ7, 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.019 I don't know the names of any bands, 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.339 but anyway, 00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:50.399 LZ7, 00:20:50.459 --> 00:20:50.699 he said, 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.740 and we went into five schools, 00:20:53.459 --> 00:20:53.919 and we did, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:56.539 they'd done quite a lot with the Department of Education, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.740 on school curriculum, 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:59.059 so they do things on bullying, 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:00.159 and other issues, 00:21:00.199 --> 00:21:00.919 that have issues a day, 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:02.060 and they do a little gig with them, 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.519 in the school assembly, 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:03.960 as it were, 00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:05.360 and just share some testimonies, 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:07.060 and then they bring them together, 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.820 at the end of the week, 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:09.200 for a bigger gig, 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.019 at a neutral venue, 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:11.180 they were using the Bath Forum, 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.259 which is quite a large forum, 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.600 in Bath, 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:14.860 he said, 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:14.980 Rob, 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.300 it's amazing, 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:17.100 they had to pay for the tickets to come, 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:17.960 he said, 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.140 Rob, 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:20.320 there were 900 unchurched young people there, 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:20.820 ooh, 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.180 I said, 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.460 really? 00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:22.880 300 of them, 00:21:23.300 --> 00:21:24.600 responded to the message, 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:27.019 80 of them have just been doing a youth alpha course, 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.900 and now about two months ago, 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.420 25 of them got baptised, 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.139 I think, 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.359 ooh, 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:31.680 Lord, 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.420 more of this, 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.779 so I'm now thinking, 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.059 ooh, 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.160 I contacted then, 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:38.460 the alpha office in London, 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.839 we do lots with the alpha course, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.259 and I was particularly inquiring, 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.119 about the youth alpha, 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.680 and I said, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.519 could I speak to the person, 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.920 who runs the youth alpha course, 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.200 for the United Kingdom, 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.839 and they put me through to a fellow, 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.299 called Aaron, 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.039 a lovely fellow, 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.859 he was so interested, 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.819 that I felt that stirring, 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.480 about young people, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.859 I didn't tell him how old I was, 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.940 but I felt that stirring, 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.539 about young people, 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.619 and I was asking him questions, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:57.940 he said, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.079 well, 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:58.740 why am I really interested, 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:58.940 he said, 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.019 because for the last three years, 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.720 we've been researching, 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.740 to do a new youth alpha course, 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.859 that can reach this current generation, 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.240 where social media, 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.119 and online, 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.440 and screen time, 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.159 is such a big thing, 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.319 it's got a lot of animation, 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:12.460 and we've even had Netflix producers, 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.180 helping us with it, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.379 he said, 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:15.319 we're just about to launch it, 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:15.639 he said, 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.059 it's going to be launched, 00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:18.359 in January 25, 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.339 this month, 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.359 and we're just about, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.279 to go around the country, 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.240 he said, 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.440 to promote it, 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.580 with church youth leaders, 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:25.960 etc, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.259 I said, 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.700 oh really, 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.980 and he looked at his screen, 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:28.759 he said, 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:28.920 yeah, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.220 in fact, 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.600 he said, 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.460 we're coming to Bristol, 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:31.799 he said, 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.360 I said, 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.620 really, 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.720 yeah, 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.380 next Tuesday, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.299 no, 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:35.980 I said, 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.460 where are you coming, 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:36.920 he said, 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.759 a place called Woodlands, 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.019 I said, 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.539 I know it, 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:39.440 and so, 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.120 so, 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:40.980 so anyway, 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:42.600 I booked in, 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:42.940 to go, 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.340 I cleared, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.880 it was 12 o'clock till 2, 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.000 it was a Tuesday lunchtime, 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.700 I come there, 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.820 and as he was putting, 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:49.600 I mentioned about that Bath situation, 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:49.860 he said, 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.059 yeah, 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.360 he said, 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:50.799 in fact, 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.480 the leader of that band, 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.619 is coming with us, 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.599 because he's going on to Bath, 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.680 to follow up the youth alpha, 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.259 they're doing there, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.480 I said, 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:56.759 really, 00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.059 I said, 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.940 I look forward to meeting him, 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.599 and so the Tuesday lunchtime came, 00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:00.099 it was great, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.079 they came down, 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:02.059 with a team of them from London, 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.859 did a presentation, 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.919 showed you little snippets, 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:05.059 of animation from the film, 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.879 it was really interesting, 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:07.419 and halfway through the meeting, 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.700 the crypt door opens, 00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:09.619 and in comes someone, 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.500 I was sat right at the back, 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.980 to look a bit inconspicuous, 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.139 with all these youth leaders there, 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.859 and there was a spare truck, 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:16.019 he came and sat beside me here, 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.779 and the person leading the meeting, 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.000 said, 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.119 oh, 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:18.839 we'll have a little break here, 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.359 so I turned to the person next to me, 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.619 and I introduced myself, 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.740 it was the band leader, 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.379 oh, 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.919 I said, 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.960 I've been looking forward, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.519 to meeting you, 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:27.960 I said, 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.039 I said, 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.019 tell me a little bit about, 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:31.579 how do you manage to recruit, 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.579 from the school context, 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:34.159 those 900 unchurched young people, 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.839 into a forum, 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.119 and then, 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.480 how did you get that response, 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.039 how do you follow up, 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.460 oh, 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:37.720 he says, 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.779 we give them all a lanyard, 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.960 with a QR code on it, 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.839 and he's telling me all about it, 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:42.220 and I was asking him loads of questions, 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:42.500 I said, 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.039 how many, 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.619 how many youth alphas did you do last year, 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.139 and he told me, 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.500 I said, 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:45.919 how many have you done, 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.800 for the last five years, 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.560 and he eventually took it, 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:48.160 a little longer for that, 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.539 how many are you doing next year, 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.180 aiming for, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.660 for this year, 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.080 25, 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.360 he said, 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.420 we're aiming to do 3,000, 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.220 across the UK, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.600 now a quick calculation, 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.800 because my commitment, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.680 was for the million people, 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.680 that's the greater Bristol area, 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.680 which includes Clevedon, 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.220 Bath, 00:23:59.300 --> 00:23:59.820 and Weston, 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.800 but that's a million people, 00:24:03.060 --> 00:24:04.019 I'd already been thinking, 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.680 in prayer, 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.080 God, 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.720 a million people, 00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:06.400 that most likely, 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:08.240 is a hundred thousand, 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.320 unchurched young people, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.080 so I've been specifically praying, 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.779 normally to have a ripple effect, 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.900 among a social group, 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.380 you need at least 5%, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.920 I doubt if the church, 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.180 reaches 1% of those, 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.900 those hundred thousand, 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.680 unchurched young people, 00:24:20.780 --> 00:24:21.540 so I'm thinking now, 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.460 what would it be to reach, 00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:24.560 5,000 unchurched young people, 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.520 across the Bristol region, 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:27.660 that includes Clevedon, 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.620 and Weston, 00:24:28.780 --> 00:24:29.000 Bath, 00:24:29.260 --> 00:24:30.220 Bath are already had that, 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:30.720 excuse me, 00:24:31.260 --> 00:24:31.580 and so, 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:33.160 I'm praying for every day, 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.300 and that morning, 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.980 I've been praying for it, 00:24:36.280 --> 00:24:37.200 I've been praying that morning, 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.580 God, 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.920 a fresh wave of your spirit, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.280 to reach 5,000, 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:41.200 unchurched young people, 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.080 the band leader, 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.420 says to me, 00:24:44.540 --> 00:24:44.660 he said, 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.240 I'm on my way across, 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.579 to Bath, 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:45.839 and I said, 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.599 I gathered that, 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.019 from what the, 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.200 Pope the front was saying, 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.519 I said, 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:48.940 he said, 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.319 before that, 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:49.900 I'm going to a place, 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.740 just outside of Bristol, 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.279 I remember, 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.019 a fresh wave of your spirit, 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.039 to reach 5,000, 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.740 unchurched young people, 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:55.779 he says, 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.079 I said, 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.599 where are you going, 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.460 he says, 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.279 I'm going to, 00:24:59.120 --> 00:24:59.740 the wave, 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:00.839 now, 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.539 any of you who haven't heard, 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.099 of the wave, 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.019 wave is an iconic venue, 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.000 just outside of Bristol, 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.539 east of Compton, 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.680 it's known around the world, 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.180 if you're a surfer, 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.460 it creates these artificial waves, 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.200 and it's become a, 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:11.579 you know, 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.079 the Mecca, 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.500 as it were, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.059 so our grandson, 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.759 is a medical student, 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.519 in Manchester, 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.500 and he's president, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.759 of the surfing society, 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.880 when he comes to Bristol, 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.859 before everyone wants to see us, 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.839 he goes to the wave, 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.740 in fact, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.799 the two summers before, 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.819 he'd stayed with us, 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.359 over the summer, 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.519 working in the kitchen, 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.480 at the wave for two months, 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.720 and getting free surfing, 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.640 I've been up and down, 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.359 there's so many times, 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.660 because on his bike, 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.819 he couldn't carry a surfboard, 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.500 and then he had a punch, 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:33.839 and I was up, 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.200 I've been up, 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.140 I knew the wave really well, 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.259 I said, 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.519 why are you going to the wave? 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.299 He said, 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.140 over in Bath, 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.799 when we were doing the schools week, 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.079 and why I'm telling you, 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.899 this is just the way, 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:43.480 in which God unfolds, 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.480 I didn't know, 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.439 what the will of God was, 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.439 when I first felt that stirring, 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:47.539 but bit by bit, 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:48.299 God is unfolding, 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.619 he said to me, 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.399 over in Bath, 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.899 I met the owner of the wave, 00:25:53.659 --> 00:25:54.559 and he asked me, 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:54.919 what we were doing, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.039 I told him about the schools week, 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.480 we were doing it, 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.419 and he was really interested, 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:59.000 now we as a band, 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.279 he says, 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.919 have done the big, 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.439 is it called the big church day out, 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.480 each year, 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:02.759 he said, 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.779 but they've changed the date of it, 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:05.039 for 2025 this year, 00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:07.599 so I've just been discussing, 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.659 with him the possibilities, 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.059 of doing a festival, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.279 at the wave, 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.879 at the wave, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.960 for, 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.859 5,000, 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.460 unchurched young people, 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.099 ooh, 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:18.679 I said, 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:20.079 hairs went on the back of my head, 00:26:20.139 --> 00:26:20.399 I'm thinking, 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.279 oh God, 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.440 this, 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:23.200 but just that sense of, 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:25.019 since then we've had loads of conversations, 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:26.519 so the band are coming to Bristol, 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.379 this year, 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.379 and we've already planned, 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.099 for 5,000, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.359 unchurched young people, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.019 being reached there, 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.200 the youth alphas, 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.000 we've been encouraging them, 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.700 right the way across, 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.799 this Bristol region, 00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:35.480 Bath, 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:35.919 and West, 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.079 and Clevedon, 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.019 praying for yourself, 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.579 just asking, 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.139 Russell, 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.819 do you do youth, 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.900 I hope to be able to meet, 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.200 the youth leader here afterwards, 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.420 and just see what you're doing, 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.319 but already for this month, 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.480 halfway through the month, 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:46.960 I was checking, 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.720 because when I was asking them about, 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.879 how many did across the country, 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.379 and they said, 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.259 hoping to do 3,000, 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.740 I then said, 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.680 how many do you do, 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.559 in the Bristol region, 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:54.819 they said, 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.940 oh we don't think we can get that, 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.160 anyway, 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.039 you know, 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.799 data protection, 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:59.019 you can't give you specific details, 00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.879 but you can give me numbers, 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.240 so anyway, 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.079 I eventually contacted, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.879 the regional person, 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.140 checked, 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.839 sure enough, 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.039 I said, 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:05.920 just Google and filter, 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.319 BS code, 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.480 and BA code, 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.759 and that'll give us the Old Avon, 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.160 Old Avon was that area, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.579 what I call the greater Bristol area, 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.240 a million people, 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.799 this month already, 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.680 by the middle of the month, 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:18.519 we have more youth alpha courses, 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.700 that have already started, 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.500 now this month, 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:22.640 than any whole of January, 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.839 for all the other previous years, 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.660 so we're looking for 50 of them, 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.000 across, 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.599 I'm looking for some here in Cleveland, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.680 so you're praying for that, 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.500 what that would look like, 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.339 God's unfolding purposes, 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:35.000 God revealing his will, 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.759 through prayer, 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.039 now as I say, 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.259 it's not just praying with my spirit, 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.259 God wants to pray with our minds, 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.839 God wants to be consistent, 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.119 persistent prayer, 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.059 where faithfully over years, 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.660 sometimes we pray, 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:49.460 I could tell you some remarkable stories, 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.620 I mean, 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.579 I've been involved over the years, 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.860 with the George Muller Foundation, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.559 so you may have, 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.220 read the story of George Muller, 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.100 and it's an amazing story, 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.680 if you've never do it, 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:59.400 there's an amazing museum in Bristol, 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.279 just Google it, 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.140 George Muller Museum, 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:01.720 it's free, 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.600 during normal office hours, 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.440 you can go and see it, 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.000 they've got an amazing museum there, 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.759 got the largest set of records, 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.340 in the world, 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.200 of children's history, 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.200 because they kept the records, 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.980 of all those children, 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.279 etc, 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.860 but also, 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.960 they got George Muller's diaries there, 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.799 George Muller, 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.440 he had this amazing way, 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.559 in which he trusted God, 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:19.839 for provision for thousands of orphans, 00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.919 at a time when it was desperate, 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.339 in Bristol, 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.859 the whole epidemics, 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.359 there'd been, 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.819 lots of children lost, 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.919 both parents in one week, 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:30.039 but he would keep a record, 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.679 of his praying, 00:28:31.139 --> 00:28:31.679 now my diary, 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.559 I can keep in my pocket, 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.899 George Muller's diary, 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.700 the journals of George Muller, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.480 one of great thick volumes, 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.480 because he would write down, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.480 his prayers with a date, 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.599 and on the other side, 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.500 he'd leave empty, 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.980 to fill in when God answered it, 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.519 and you can see it, 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.420 I mean if I just take, 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.940 just one page of it, 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.500 let's go for one, 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:49.660 this is November 1844, 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:52.200 nearly 200 years ago, 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:55.319 that week he'd met, 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.880 five tradesmen, 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.579 just in the course of his work, 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.259 with the orphans, 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.720 that weren't Christians, 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.900 he had conversations with them, 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:04.220 and God put them on his heart, 00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:06.079 to pray every day, 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.980 that they would come to faith, 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.460 in Jesus, 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:11.340 and he wrote, 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.019 in his journal, 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.799 you can see that there, 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.860 the names of the five, 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.759 and the date beside them, 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.579 and then he left a space, 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.259 the other side, 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.700 for when God answered the prayer, 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.380 it was 18 months, 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.380 before the first one of them, 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.039 became a Christian, 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:22.180 and there was much rejoicing, 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.579 in the whole, 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.640 I mean, 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:25.120 I look to see someone, 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.079 come to the Lord each week, 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.740 and there's an amazing sense, 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.860 of where all heaven rejoice, 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.120 you know, 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.779 every time a person repents, 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.840 realising Jesus, 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.420 the son of God, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:33.860 loved me, 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:35.019 and gave himself for me, 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.519 that experience of forgiveness, 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.279 where you just, 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.740 receive him, 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.460 by faith, 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.079 into your life, 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.799 and I'm not sure, 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:43.039 how long they rejoice in heaven, 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.019 in fact, 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.279 around the world, 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:47.200 the church of Jesus Christ, 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.399 is growing more rapidly today, 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.220 than ever in history, 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:50.079 so another one, 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:50.960 has just become a Christian, 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:54.700 another one, 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.619 has just become a Christian, 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.299 now, 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.399 I'm sure they rejoice, 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.420 for that long in heaven, 00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.779 which must mean, 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.700 that 24 seven, 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.519 all the time, 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.539 there's constant rejoicing, 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:02.940 in heaven, 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:03.899 when it got, 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.559 we pray your, 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.740 we don't earth as in heaven, 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.539 catching something, 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.180 of that wonder, 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.319 of new life in Jesus, 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.240 anyway, 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.240 it was five years, 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.039 before the next one, 00:30:13.399 --> 00:30:15.139 it was 18 years, 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.000 before the next one, 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.480 25, 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:19.000 for the next one, 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.559 that's four out of five, 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.899 then Muller died, 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.639 now four out of five, 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.180 is not bad, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.440 is it, 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.460 but scripture promises, 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:28.480 amazing words in Philippians, 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.079 where Paul speaks, 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.700 about his prayer life, 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.740 I always pray with joy, 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:31.759 confidently, 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.000 he who began that good work, 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.220 in you, 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.259 will bring it to completion, 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:36.519 when Muller died, 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.119 his life of faith, 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:38.619 and prayer, 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.579 had been such an impact, 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.119 on the city, 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.400 in fact, 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.220 for his funeral, 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.920 offices and shops, 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.160 closed across the city, 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.920 the funeral cottage, 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:48.000 was three miles long, 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.579 right the way down, 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.119 through the city, 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:51.660 that day, 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.259 in his funeral, 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.920 number five, 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.599 the tradesman, 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.819 he went to his funeral, 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.660 and he became a Christian, 00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.740 at his funeral, 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.420 listen carefully to this, 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.240 your prayers, 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.440 in fact, 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.500 prayer itself, 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.079 outlives, 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.440 the prayer, 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.740 you may not realize, 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.240 a granny, 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.460 or an uncle, 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.460 an aunt, 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.200 someone who, 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.759 has long died, 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.220 but their prayers, 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:22.579 may be affecting your life today, 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.900 they may have brought you, 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.759 to know Jesus, 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:28.200 prayer is such an amazing power, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:30.900 more things are brought by prayer, 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.019 than this world dreams of, 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.700 and at this time, 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.740 I believe, 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.940 God is saying to us, 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.759 expect, 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.680 a fresh wave of my spirit, 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.160 in prayer.