Becoming People of Blessing and Local Houses of Prayer
PIPES hosted a retreat 3-5 August 2016 at El Kanah in Marysville.
We had the privilege to spend these days in God’s presence, in prayer & worship; sharing stories about God’s call on our lives to become local houses of prayer across Australia and New Zealand. God’s blessing was released as we soaked in the intimacy with the Holy Spirit with Renee Rutherfurd and Andee Sellman. Vision was ignited as we shared powerful testimonies of what God is doing.
It was a deep and powerful time in God’s presence. Father really outpoured His glory on those who came. Holy Spirit manifested through blessing, healing and unity in one accord and deeply ministered to and connected a group of mature, hungry people from around Australia and New Zealand who will overflow blessing and set up houses of prayer.
So many thanks to Roy and Jesus for getting us there. My thanks to all who served across these days. Our deep gratitude to all who drew the glory of God; carried and released the presence of God and made us feel at home in the House of Prayer.
A tribe of local house of prayer hosts have returned to their communities…
This is some of the feedback we have received:
Karen: We continue to be full of wonder and praise at the blessed time we had together at the retreat. God is amazing, His grace astounding. Jesus had promised to be there waiting for us and indeed He was, with precious blessings for each of us.
Jessikah: Well! Well! Well! The whole retreat was amazing and indeed as were all the organizers. I know these things just don’t happen. I don’t know what is going on but God has somehow slowed time down for me. I am still doing the same things and finding I’m having time to spare. Which is really good because since coming home I have been doing the Rhythm of Prayer – it may not be at the ct exatime daily but it has made such a difference to me – life is lighter, brighter and so joyful. I am calling my home a house of prayer because that is what it has become! May our Dear Lord continue to bless you always and in all ways.
Hilary: I had the privilege of attending the retreat at El Kanah a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing. Spending that time away, hearing great stories and experiencing God’s presence so strongly.Of course I had looked forward to meeting Roy and Daphne but not for a moment was I disappointed .I am so glad the retreat went ahead.I really needed a time like that and I am so grateful to Father God and the team who listened and obeyed. Huge thank you to the everyone involved.
Here in Wonthaggi we were planning a prayer tent at our Family Fun day on the Saturday after the retreat .This was to give the community an opportunity to see our new sanctuary and buildings prior to the official opening on Sunday.In a smaller town everyone is interested and this was a non threatening way for them to have a look.It was a great day with lots of people visiting and taking advantage of free food ,jumping castle etc.Thank you Sue for your suggestion to use the name book as a starting point for blessing. Many people came and were blessed .I am not sure what will come out of this but hopefully more opportunities to bless others and show them the reality of God’s love.
Diane: It was an amazing time; and I think I’d like that to be normal for God’s people!
Attached is the Shalom poem which I promised to send to Sue; she plans to pass it on to others.
Shalom
Shalom, shalom
Deep peace of the living God be yours
Deep peace of the risen Son be yours
Unending peace of eternal God be yours.
Peace in your home, with kin and with neighbour,
Peace in your travels, in rest and in labour,
Peace with your workmate, opponent and stranger,
Peace rule your heart in calm and in danger.
Shalom, shalom.
God breathe his peace on your thoughts and your fears,
Peace of eternity, moments and years,
Deep peace guard you from waywardly turning,
Love’s peace guide you by light everburning.
Shalom, shalom.
Honest and upright in words and in ways,
You and your people, all of your days,
Friendship in truth with God and with man:
Shalom! So your house and your nation shall stand.
Peace with your God and spirit’s yearning,
Deep peace keep you till His returning.
Shalom, shalom
Deep peace of the living God be yours
Deep peace of the risen Son be yours
Unending peace of eternal God be yours.
Diane Sutton
More Feedback and take home revelations: shared as open testimonies:
Sit and don’t do anything if God hasn’t asked you.
God has you where he wants you.
Importance of worship before anything else.
Let Jesus rule in you.
As we get older we will have opportunity to be in house of prayer full time –better than Bingo – better and better!
Wonderful to meet brothers and sisters – unique, beautiful
Overwhelming stories heard.
Going further and further from here.
Rest is not what we do or have but a way of travelling.
Seek God;’ will so we can reign and rule with Him.
I found my tribe.
Two or three are enough!
Multiplication
Come as children – boy with fish and bread.
The church can be affected by what happens in prayer & worship space during the week.
People of One Spirit.
Love of God experienced in new depths
Divine appointments in who we met – even going back 35 years to Africa and 30 years in another case.
Ordinary people changing the whole world through prayer & worship.
Hearing and obeying
Sense of freedom to be who we are.
No ‘Christian talk’ – unique every day
Every HoP will find their own voice, sound and expression
Privilege of each other’s journeys – humbled by that
Trust – willingness to trust.
Preparedness to wait. He will speak and lead us.
Rhythm of nature – slow down and hear Lord.
Faith to make this happen – wonderful time with the Lord!
NZ: Work of grace taught me to love Australia and let go my cynicism as we sang the national anthem. Kinship of God. Our nations have similar problems – homelessness, needy, racial, issues, violence, and abused children. We are a tiny nation but God is at work there – HoP powerful. Move of God to bring Local Houses of Prayer to life; returning to connect them and stir them up.
Blessing is so simple even a child can do it! We are going to go for it!
God said, “Do you want to hear Roy or want to her Me?”
Helen – vital part connecting. She taught me honour in how she valued and honoured the kitchen staff.
Physical healing – Jessikah had beginning of healing in soaking session and then later that night her neck and then leg cracked as somethings were put right. Jewel and many others from headache etc.
Thank you – so kind. Loved you.
Being a tribe – feeling connected.
Facilitation in prayer – humility, faith.
No regimentation – appreciated schedule being fluid.
Prophetic worship
Careful God – as we reflect on our life journey we can see God does not waste one aspect of our journey. He significantly puts things together.
Involved in prayer all my life – I learned so much about prayer here.
Power of blessing – never underestimate.
Appreciated Julie’s ministry and her knowledge of the Word.
Moved by Sue & Karen’s courage.
Stories – I’m blown away – so much in common.
God worked to bring us here. Has been wonderful time. Blessing meant the most to me.
