Dufresne Ministries Podcast

Episode: Prayer: A Constant Communion | Kenneth Copeland | Holy Ghost Meetings 2024 | Friday PM
Date: January 7, 2024
Host: Dufresne Ministries
Speaker: Kenneth Copeland

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the theme of prayer as "a constant communion"—an ongoing, intimate dialogue with God, grounding all aspects of a believer’s life and spiritual journey. Speaking to a 2024 audience amidst global and national uncertainties, Kenneth Copeland shares personal narratives, biblical teaching, and practical advice on cultivating a dynamic, faith-filled prayer life. The episode emphasizes understanding the types of prayer, praying on the foundation of God’s promises, and maintaining awareness of God’s presence in everyday moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Significance of Prayer and Connection with God

• Copeland asserts that the Christian life cannot be lived as God wants “without a working knowledge of prayer” (19:30).
• He highlights prayer as not just episodic but as a lifestyle—“constant communion” with God (76:40).
• The episode intersperses storytelling (personal encounters, prayers with others) to illustrate the depth and impact of prayer.

2. Personal Stories & Spiritual Legacies

• On Death, Healing, and Legacy: Touching stories about fellow ministers (including his call to a friend on their final day and the homegoing of Pat Robertson, 06:00–12:50).
• Faith Generational Impact: Copeland recalls George Washington declaring the U.S. a covenant nation and personal anecdotes about his mother’s persistent intercessory prayer (56:30, 86:30).
• These stories serve to illustrate both the power of prophetic, faith-filled words and the legacy of intercessory prayer.

3. Understanding the Armor of God and Types of Prayer

• Ephesians 6: Detailed exposition on spiritual warfare, pointing out that the armor of God is for the purpose of “praying at all times…in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer” (20:55–24:50).
• Types of Prayer:
  • Prayer of Faith (32:50)
  • Prayer of Petition (70:00)
  • Prayer of Intercession, Commitment, Worship (79:00, planned for further sessions)
• Key Insight: “Prayer doesn’t make faith work. Faith makes prayer work.” (24:30)

4. Foundation of Faith in Prayer

• Copeland emphasizes that faith must be grounded in God’s promises, not feelings:
  • “Physical senses will get you in trouble in the field of prayer, so you don’t depend on that. What does the book say?” (26:45)
• Hebrews 11:1 is explored as a definition of faith and the necessity for prayer to begin with God’s Word (28:30).

5. Covenant Themes—Old and New

• Deep dive into God’s covenant with Abraham, the significance of the “covenant name change,” and parallels with the New Covenant through Christ (35:00–44:00).
• Copeland repeatedly connects praying for America’s destiny with the nation’s “covenant” status, inviting listeners to engage in regular, informed prayer for the country (45:20).

6. Practical Aspects of Prayer

• Constant Awareness: Practicing the presence of God, integrating prayer into everyday routines (meals, travel, daily decisions, 76:45).
• Blessing and Protection: Pleading the blood of Jesus over vehicles, places, and loved ones, and the use of angels in protection (78:30–84:00).
• Petition and Agreement: Building petitions based on scripture, approaching prayer with specificity and covenant confidence (75:00, 81:45).
• Routine vs. Relationship: Caution against rote prayer, stressing spiritual attentiveness and sincerity in every prayer (86:45).

7. Dealing with Obstacles in Prayer

• Feelings vs. Faith: Relates personal struggles with guilt and forgiveness, emphasizing confession and believing God’s Word over one’s emotions (58:40).
• Renewing the Mind: Drawing on Romans 12 and 2 Corinthians 10 to “take every thought captive” and reject worry (84:30–86:10).
• Unforgiveness and Sin: Guidance from Hebrews and 1 John on repentance, the “impossibility” of repentance among those who trample the blood of Christ, warning against drifting into prayerlessness and pride (62:20).

8. Role of Angels in Prayer

• Angels are described as participants in the believer’s prayer life, hearkening to God’s Word and aiding in deliverance, protection, and guidance (83:00).

9. Testimonies of Salvation and Intercession

• Copeland shares the story of his personal salvation and his wife Gloria’s, highlighting how his mother’s persistent prayer “rolled all the care over on [God]” and paved the way for them to be born again (87:00).

10. Exhortation to Pray for Leaders and Nations

• Closing exhortation from 1 Timothy 2 about the priority of praying for those in authority and for national peace, encouraging listeners to “pray about everything,” even practical needs (e.g., parking spaces, 87:30).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Prayer as Communion:
  • “Prayer is a constant communion—all the time, every leg we fly, I lay my hand on the airplane … before we do anything, before we start an engine … I plead the blood of Jesus over this airplane.” (76:45)
• On Faith & Prayer:
  • “Prayer doesn’t make faith work. Faith makes prayer work.” (24:30)
• On Confession and Feelings:
  • “When you confessed, it is not when I found out about it. That’s when you got rid of it. Do you believe what I said? … What difference do your feelings have?” (58:40)
• On Covenant Mindset:
  • “You need to not just pick these things out, but do some tracking.” (51:30)
• On Angels:
  • “Don’t ever forget that every one of you have angels. … You don’t lose your angel just because you grow up.” (83:10)
• On Spiritual Awareness:
  • “You have to be very aware spiritually of what you pray and how you pray it.” (86:55)
• On Specific Petition:
  • “She [Hannah] didn’t want a baby, wanted a son. She named him Samuel. The one that anointed David as king.” (75:30)
• On Personal Testimony and Intercession:
  • “She got out of the way and just let Him handle it … she actually did First Peter, chapter five. Cast the whole of your care over on Him.” (87:30)
• On Praying for Leaders:
  • “First of all prayer, supplications, intercessions, giving of thanks, be made for all men—for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…” (First Timothy 2, 87:45)
• On Routine Prayer:
  • “If you make that a prayer routine, it gets to where it doesn’t mean anything. So you have to be very aware spiritually of what you pray and how you pray it.” (86:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening prayer and personal stories on death and faith legacy: 00:08–18:00
• Armor of God and “all manner of prayer”: 19:30–24:50
• Types of prayer and faith foundations: 24:51–36:30
• Abrahamic Covenant; U.S. as a nation under God: 35:00–45:20
• Practical encouragement about prayer, presence, and everyday life: 76:40–84:20
• Teaching on angels and their role: 82:50–84:00
• Prayer of petition and agreement: 74:45–83:45
• Exhortation about spiritual disciplines and closing stories: 86:45–88:15

Conclusion

This episode serves as both teaching and inspiration: building a case for prayer as the bedrock of a powerful Christian life rooted in faith, covenant, and a continual, personal relationship with God. Copeland moves beyond formulas, advocating for spiritually alert, scripture-based prayer informed by the Holy Spirit, bolstered by testimony, and marked by joyful expectation.

The call to action: pray always, in faith, using the promises of God, and make prayer the constant communion it’s intended to be.