Podcast Summary: "Praying the Word, Part One"

Dufresne Ministries Podcast | Host: Nancy Dufresne | Prayer Conference 2021, Murrieta, CA | April 15, 2021

Episode Overview

This episode, led by Pastor Nancy Dufresne, explores the foundational importance of "praying the Word"—specifically, praying the recorded prayers found in the New Testament epistles, such as those by Paul. She stresses that believers never outgrow spiritual basics and that the strength of a believer's foundation determines their capacity to advance. The session focuses on dissecting Paul’s prayers in Ephesians 1 and Philippians 1, revealing how these passages can equip believers to pray effectively, remain connected to God’s plan, grow in love, maintain unity, and live free from offense. The episode is rich with practical wisdom, memorable stories, and deep spiritual encouragement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of Revisiting Spiritual Basics

• Foundation analogy: Just as a building's strength depends on its foundation, spiritual advancement depends on revisiting foundational truths.
• "We never outgrow the basics. Yes, God will bring us into more, but it’s the foundational truths that support all of that." (Nancy Dufresne, 00:30)

2. Praying Scriptural Prayers (Ephesians 1:15–23)

• Paul’s recorded prayers are a pattern for believers; praying them brings consistent results and further revelation.
• It's not about eloquence or crafting unique prayers, but earnestly praying what’s already been given.
• "We don’t have to come up with a more unique, special wording than what is already recorded… We should always begin with the recorded prayers of the epistles." (Nancy Dufresne, 05:10)

Dissecting Ephesians 1:15–23

• Thankfulness as the starting point:
  • "I cease not to give thanks for you..." is essential for heart-engaged prayer (16:10).
  • Gratitude acts as a shield against offense and criticism within the church.
  • "Being grateful is a shield to offense." (Nancy Dufresne, 20:00)
• Divine Connection: God fits believers together in local churches; personality is secondary to spiritual joining.
• Mentions versus lengthy prayers: Short heartfelt mentions ("making mention of you in my prayers") can be powerful if filled with faith (22:50).
• Asking for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation:
  • Revelation isn’t earned by study alone—it’s given by the Spirit.
  • "The spirit of wisdom and revelation is given. It’s not earned." (Nancy Dufresne, 25:20)
  • You can ask God to give revelation to others, especially when they’re unaware of their lack.

The Three Focuses of Ephesians 1:

1. Who we are in Christ: Knowing the hope of His calling.
2. What we have: Understanding the riches of His inheritance in the saints.
3. What we can do: Recognizing the exceeding greatness of His power toward believers. This power is resurrection-level power, not merely creative or miraculous.

3. The Role of Unity and Corporate Identity

• The greatest people to be around are "God-filled people;" gratitude for the church body guards against offense and division.
• "Be grateful for where you belong. The earth is full of people who don't care about you. These people care about you, and that needs to matter to you." (Nancy Dufresne, 13:00)

4. Praying for Love, Discernment, and Order (Philippians 1:9–11)

• Philippians 1:9-11 (Amplified): Paul prays for love to abound, keen insight, discernment, sincerity, and to live without offense.
• Developing in love: No matter your maturity, there’s more ground to cover in your love walk (33:00).
• Your prayers can help others grow in love; "instead of getting ticked off... we’re authorized and privileged to be able to assist them."
• Learning to sense what is vital: Praying that believers keep God’s plan paramount, putting spiritual priorities above personal/family convenience (36:00).

Notable Clarifications:

• The family, job, or children are part of God’s plan but not the plan itself (38:50).
• "The thing that sustained Jesus... is to do the will of Him that sent me. This is what’s vital." (Nancy Dufresne, 40:16)

5. The Danger of Offense & Living Blameless (Philippians 1:10)

• Offense leads to dishonor and unbelief, blocking God’s power from reaching us.
• "Offense is so dangerous because nothing can reach you of good when you're in offense." (Nancy Dufresne, 53:00)
• Paul singles out freedom from offense as the key request for spiritual and relational health.

6. Practical Stories and Examples

• Testimony of Sister Carmen Lively (07:45): Jesus sent her back from heaven specifically to pray three things—1) that the congregation “gets it,” 2) for unity, 3) for era-specific revelation.
• Kenneth E. Hagin’s anecdote on prayer (57:12): Illustrates the critical difference between “working on the sending end” of prayer (trying to get God to send) versus “the receiving end” (standing in faith to receive), and the danger of a lack of revelation of righteousness.

7. Righteousness: The Confidence to Receive

• Emphasis that it's Christ's righteousness, not ours, that establishes our access to God (58:00).
• "I'm not righteous because I've done everything right. I'm righteous because it's a free gift from the One who did everything right." (Nancy Dufresne, 58:40)

8. The Power and Privilege of Intercessory Prayer

• Praying the Word unlocks deeper engagement and authority for others.
• There's far more power in praying for others than most realize (64:33).
• "It's a privilege to pray for one another. It matters to us how our brethren go. It matters to us that they succeed." (Nancy Dufresne, 65:15)

9. Consecration to "More" — Commitment and Fullness

• Smith Wigglesworth quote:
  "Every new revelation calls for fresh consecration." (77:09)
• Commitment to be available and responsive to God in prayer and living "full" in Christ brings blessings to others.

Noteworthy Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gratitude in Prayer:
  "If you say, Father, I thank you for my whole church family, you will not pick up a criticism against them." (20:00)
• On Revelation:
  "Just hearing someone else's teaching does not make that your revelation. Revelation is given. It has to dawn on your spirit." (26:24)
• On Love's Development:
  "No matter how well we are developed and walking in love, there's further development." (33:20)
• On the Danger of Offense:
  "You can't be in offense and honor. You can't be in offense and faith." (54:18)
• On Righteousness:
  "We’re not right because we did everything right. We’re right because Jesus did everything right." (58:32)
• On Intercessory Authority:
  "We are able to do far more than we ever imagined through our own prayer life for others." (64:33)
• On Consecration:
  "Every new revelation calls for fresh consecration. And so we consecrate ourselves to more." (77:09)
• On the Body's Unity:
  "It’s an honor to serve you with them. Thank you for what they are in the body, into my life. I love them, I value them." (81:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:30] - The necessity of foundations and spiritual basics
• [05:10] - Importance and pattern of praying the epistles' prayers
• [07:45] - Sister Carmen Lively’s testimony about prayer assignments from Jesus
• [13:00] - The significance of gratitude and unity in the local church
• [16:10] - Dissecting the phrase "I cease not to give thanks for you"
• [20:00] - Gratitude as a shield to offense
• [22:50] - The effectiveness of "mentioning" in prayers
• [25:20] - Revelation and wisdom are given, not earned
• [33:00] - Praying for the love walk of others
• [36:00] - Sensing what is vital and spiritual priorities
• [38:50] - The family’s place in God’s plan
• [40:16] - Jesus’ example of prioritizing God’s will above all
• [53:00] - The peril of offense: offense, dishonor, unbelief
• [57:12] - Kenneth E. Hagin’s example of receiving in faith and the righteousness issue
• [64:33] - Realizing the broad impact of intercessory prayer
• [77:09] - Wigglesworth quote and call to consecration
• [81:39] - Closing prayer of gratitude for the body of Christ

Structure of the Episode

1. Scriptural teaching & exposition (Ephesians 1, Philippians 1)
2. Practical stories and lived examples
3. Guided corporate prayer—modeling how to pray these scriptures for others
4. Worship and exhortation
5. Final charge to consecration and unity

Takeaway for Listeners

This episode delivers a compelling, heartfelt invitation to deepen your prayer life by anchoring it in the prayers of Scripture. Nancy Dufresne makes a passionate, theologically rich case that gratitude, scriptural knowledge, love, unity, and a revelation of righteousness are not just ideals—they are practical, prayable realities that shape both the individual believer and the larger church body. The audience is encouraged to consecrate themselves anew to this foundation and to realize the privilege and power at their disposal when they pray the Word for themselves and others.

In Pastor Nancy’s words:
"It's a privilege to pray for one another. It matters to us how our brethren go. It matters to us that they succeed. It matters to us that they experience the best that you have…" (65:15)