2 Timothy 4:2 (TPT)
“proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spirit —with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people”.
One morning as I was recapping the events of the previous day these thoughts came to me,
The day before I had attended 80th birthday invitation for my wife’s uncle and had been seated next to an incredible man and lady. The man ask for prayer before we ate and the lady search for me before she left and ask for prayer . After we went to catch up with family, where an Aunty shared an incredible testimony of a friend being touched, healed and receiving his heavenly language in hospital. She said I want what he got so I was asked to baptise her in the Holy Spirit.
We’ve had many of these occasion throughout our walk with God. Often coming in very ordinary daily life situations like visiting a family member to say hi which lead to 5hrs of praying for people, with the streets outside the house jammed with car loads of people coming to be part of this encounter of God! So many healed, saved, delivered or receiving a prophetic word to carry and see come to pass in the coming days! (We have heard many testimonies from this move of God including a lady that had a issue with bleeding that had touch me while I was praying for someone and flew across the room and was unsteadily healed thank you Jesus ). Or going to a funeral for my wife’s father in Samoa and seeing a baby raised from the dead where we were staying, or praying for my wife’s step brother who had leprosy, seeing him slowly get healed, to then a week later receiving a phone call from him saying he was 100% healed and has doctors certificate saying this and now in full time employment.
Also once when I was out shopping and meeting a lady whose friend had gone through two rounds of chemo and it was not successful with the doctor saying there’s nothing we can do. I prayed for her and the power of God hit the place and people behind the counter at the coffee café fell over which lead to many being healed, then the lady saw faith as substance appear in her hands and went to her friend’s place and placed the hope on her and she was radically healed.
All of these and so many more testimonies were just doing as the verse above said having the willingness to be ready in all seasons! To hear or see His will and co labour with Him in His power and presence to see His kingdom come and invade earth and His people!
Now the above testimonies may seem a bit extreme for you, YET when you are willing to be His hands, feet and do what he asks you to do they are quite normal.
This was Jesus’ secret to His incredible ministry and it can and will be yours if you’re willing to trust and obey. Over the years I have been asked by many why I think they are not allowed or seem to be restricted in church for praying for the sick?
My thoughts are, you’re not restricted in public and guess what most if not all miracles Jesus did happened outside of the church or synagogue. I believe not being able to pray for the sick in church can become an excuse for not praying for the sick in public! So if that’s you Stop it!
For you’re only a prayer away from seeing God use you and a miracle happen.
My prayer for 2023 is that it will be the year of seeing the fullest measure of His Majesty in Power on earth through His servants like you and me. Amen
Challenge Time:
If you want to see more of God in your life, then pray this simple prayer
Father I ask that You will give me the spirit and physical strength to proclaim Your Word God and to stand upon it no matter what!
Father I ask that you will reveal to me what You are doing so I may co labour with You and rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. To preach in the full expression of the Holy Spirit —with wisdom and patience as You instruct and teach Your people through me Amen
Father for everyone who reads this message and prays the above prayer may You infuse them with power to see heaven come to earth through them. Yes, that they will see Your goodness in signs and wonders everywhere they go! Let it become a lifestyle of discovery and may the miracles increase exponentially. In Jesus Name Amen
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
