Podcast Summary
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Continuing In Prayer, Part 1 | Joel Siegel | Georgetown, TX | Monday AM | Miracle Crusade 2022
Date: September 7, 2022
Speaker: Joel Siegel
Overview: The Call to Continue in Prayer
This episode, led by guest minister Joel Siegel, centers on the essential role of prayer in the life of a believer and in the fulfillment of God’s plan on earth. Siegel underscores that believers are not merely spectators of God’s supernatural flow; they are responsible to participate, cooperate, and persevere in prayer to advance God’s harvest. The episode blends scriptural teaching, practical exhortation, and a powerful encouragement to move from prayer events to a steadfast, ongoing prayer life.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Supernatural as a Flow to Participate In
- Miracle Crusade vs. Healing Crusade: There’s a distinction between a healing event and a miracle crusade. Miracles should be everyday flows in the believer’s life, not rare events ([00:08]).
- Quote:
"The supernatural is not an event. The supernatural is a flow. And that flow is not the responsibility just of those who are ministering. That flow is the responsibility of every member of the body of Christ." — Joel Siegel ([00:54])
2. God’s Plan and the Role of the Church
-
Harvest Before Christ’s Return: Siegel debunks the idea that Jesus’ return is on a set date independent of human cooperation. The pivotal event for Christ’s return is the reaping of God’s harvest, which hinges on the cooperation of the body of Christ ([04:53]):
"So much of it depends on his body and how they cooperate with him in his plan… The main thing that must happen for Jesus to return is, is his harvest must be reaped." ([05:40])
-
Expanding Vision: Don’t limit what God can do based on small beginnings or numbers; God’s love and harvest are worldwide and vast ([07:45], [09:15]).
3. We Are Living in the Outpouring—Not Waiting for It
-
The Outpouring Is Now: Siegel passionately corrects a common mentality among Christians that revival or outpouring is always in the future. Faith, as he insists, is always now ([12:40]).
"The outpouring that must come to pass, the rain that must fall in order to gather in the harvest—we’re in it, we’re in it, we’re in it." ([13:46])
"Faith ain’t talking about tomorrow. Faith is for faith to be faith, you got to believe you have it. Not that you’re on the verge of it. You got to believe it’s now." ([13:32]) -
Prayer’s Role: Instead of praying to convince God to move, prayer postures us to cooperate with what God has already released ([15:17]).
4. Effective Prayer: Cooperation, Not Persuasion
- Prayer Aligns Us with God:
"One of the great purposes of prayer is to get us in cooperation with him." ([16:38])
- Story of Uncle Larry: Personal testimony and humor illustrate how we sometimes ask God to do what He’s already trying to do ([15:30]).
5. Scripture Examples of Perseverance in Prayer
-
Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:36–38):
Anna devoted her life to prayer, not for a week or month, but for decades, persisting at the temple in expectation of the Messiah. Despite not immediately seeing results, she continued unwaveringly ([18:50])."She departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day… staying with it." ([19:57])
-
Jesus’ Prayer Life (Luke 6:12):
Jesus Himself “continued all night in prayer”, even with increasing demands of ministry ([25:48]). -
Early Church’s Prayer (Acts 1:14, 2:42, 3:1, 4:23–31):
The church “continued steadfastly in prayer,” experiencing powerful results like the Pentecost outpouring, miracles, and increased boldness ([28:50], [30:25])."They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." ([32:00])
"Not just saying their prayers, living the life of prayer." ([32:17])
6. Prayer as a Project—Not One-Off
- Some things are “prayer projects” needing ongoing revisiting and steadfastness ([33:19]).
- Praying out the plan of God in advance helps believers step into prepared paths ([34:13]).
7. Miracles Linked to Consistent Prayer
-
Crippled Man Healed at the Hour of Prayer (Acts 3:1):
There’s a direct connection between regular, persistent prayer and miraculous breakthrough ([36:25]):"Is it amazing that that’s where it happened, at the house of God? …There ought to be a strong flow in the house of God." ([38:36])
8. Historical Revivals Originating in Continued Prayer
- References to Azusa Street and Charles Finney highlight historic outpourings always rooted in sustained prayer, and how revival wanes when prayer is neglected ([40:55]).
9. Praying Through Opposition
-
After facing threats, the early church didn’t panic or back off—they gathered and lifted unified prayers, asking for boldness and fresh signs, leading again to fresh infilling and miracles ([47:29]).
"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings… and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word, by stretching forth your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders might be done in the name of your holy child Jesus." ([49:22])
-
Having “your own company”: The need for a spiritual community where faith and prayer are united ([46:43]).
10. Encouragement for Listeners
- Moving from event-based prayer to a prayer life
- Trusting the Holy Spirit’s utterance and anointing to keep you regular and effective in prayer ([36:59], [38:19])
- Cooperate with God’s plan, offering your life to be used in His outpouring ([58:30]–[59:42])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On God’s Timing and Belief:
"If it wasn’t the case [that God needs our cooperation], we wouldn’t need to be here this morning." ([05:27])
- On Faith for Miracles:
"Faith is mighty greedy. Faith doesn’t leave any for anybody else. … As far as your perspective, you ought to say, I don’t care if there’s any for anybody else, I’m getting mine." ([02:27])
- On Anna’s Perseverance:
"She didn’t say ‘we’re just on the verge.’ She’s like, ‘it’s Messiah time.’" ([21:15])
- On Lifestyle:
"Not just have a prayer event, but develop a prayer life." ([28:35])
- On Modern Church Need:
"The body of Christ could use that today, that, that revelation. You understand? There’s no way we’re getting this job done [without prayer]." ([39:13])
- On Facing Opposition:
"You need your own company… You need to have a place to go." ([46:42])
Key Timestamps for Major Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:08–05:30 | Introduction; Miracles and the Supernatural Flow | | 05:30–10:29 | Jesus’ Return, God’s Plan, and the Church’s Role | | 10:29–15:17 | The Outpouring Is Now; No More “Verge Mentality” | | 15:18–18:49 | Prayer: Cooperation, not Getting God to Move | | 18:50–24:31 | Anna: A Life Persevering in Prayer | | 24:32–29:40 | Jesus’ Example: Continued Prayer | | 29:41–33:06 | The Early Church’s Pattern of Steadfast Prayer | | 33:07–38:32 | Daily, Steadfast Prayer and Miracles | | 38:33–45:50 | Prayer Projects, Historical Revivals, and Continuance | | 45:51–52:13 | Facing Persecution with Unified Prayer | | 52:14–58:29 | Exhortation and Practical Application | | 58:30–69:04 | Corporate Prayer and Closing Prayers |
Closing Encouragement
The episode’s close invites listeners to active participation: offering themselves for God’s use, committing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in prayer, and continuing to pray out God’s plan not just for events, but as a way of life.
"We’re not just starting, we’re continuing—going from glory to glory, from strength to strength. … You ain’t gonna be able to carry home all you’re gonna get this week." ([68:20])
