Podcast Summary: “Taking-In In Prayer, Part Two”

Dufresne Ministries Podcast – Prayer Conference 2022
Guest Speaker: Noel Ramos
Recorded at World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA | April 7, 2022

Episode Overview

This episode, featuring guest minister Noel Ramos at the Dufresne Ministries Prayer Conference 2022, delves into deep scriptural insights on what it truly looks like to "take in" during prayer. Rather than viewing prayer as merely an opportunity to pour out needs or requests, Ramos emphasizes the importance of receiving from God—taking in His Word, presence, and revelation. Drawing from personal experience and scriptural foundations, he encourages believers to prioritize fellowship with God and to be mindful of the spiritual impartations that come through relationships, obedience, and time in prayer.

Key Points & Insights

1. Foundation of Prayer: Receiving, Not Just Giving

• Opening Worship/Prayer (00:00–05:38):
  Ramos opens with worship and a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost, emphasizing faith as the means by which we see and receive from God.
  • “We might not see you. We are so thankful for faith—that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (02:05)
• The Holy Ghost's indwelling enables believers to call God "Father," signifying vital union and intimate relationship.
• The inheritance in Christ includes not only future heavenly blessings but also God's good things for life on earth—peace, power, a sound mind, and His plan.

2. John 15 – The Vine, the Branches, and Fruitfulness

• Scripture Foundation (07:30–16:30):
  Ramos turns to John 15 to illustrate the core principle of abiding in Christ:
  • Abiding Is Essential for Fruitfulness:
    “The more I see, I have to take in more before my prayer will bear fruit—the Word that He puts in me is the fruit that will bear fruit.” (13:20)
  • Receiving vs. Doing:
    Sometimes believers focus so much on giving out in prayer (even praying in tongues) that they miss the importance of taking in.
  • Receiving from God is what brings cleansing and growth:
    The Word planted in the heart each morning produces lasting fruit.
  • Personal Reflection:
    Ramos shares his own journey from being a “casual Christian” (rarely praying or reading the Bible) to intentionally praying and seeking God, leading to dramatic transformation.

3. Motives in Ministry and Prayer

• Growing a Church or Growing Yourself? (19:00–25:00):
  Ramos recounts how, early in ministry, he desired large numbers, equating success with size and finances.
  • God corrected him:
    “You grow first, and the church will grow.” (21:10)
  • Fruitfulness isn’t about numbers but about spiritual growth and intake.

4. Illustrations from John the Baptist and Jesus

• Receiving Only What God Gives (John the Baptist, John 3:25–27) (26:00–31:00):
  • “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (29:10)
• Jesus on Doing Nothing Alone (John 5:30):
  • “I can of mine own self do nothing… I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father.” (31:55)
  • Even Jesus, in His humanity, modeled complete dependence on the Father.

5. The Mary & Martha Principle (Luke 10:38–42)

• Hearing at Jesus’ Feet (36:45–51:30):
  • Martha is distracted by legitimate busyness and serving.
  • Jesus commends Mary for choosing the “one thing needed” — sitting and listening at His feet.
  • “If you want Jesus to leave your house real quick, talk to Him about your problem. He doesn’t want to hear that.” (46:55)
  • The heart of prayer is not reciting problems but posturing oneself to listen and receive.

6. Personal Transformation and Spiritual Connections

• Impartation and Divine Connections (52:00–01:10:00):
  • Spiritual impartation—being connected to spiritual fathers/mothers, receiving from those God has placed in one’s life—is necessary for moving into new phases of ministry.
  • Ramos recounts how his connection with his spiritual father, Dr. Dufresne, and Pastor Nancy, brought direction and impartation he could not have received alone.
  • “Stay close to your spiritual father… and you’ll make it to the end.” (01:04:50)
  • The law of impartation: Even Jesus submitted to John the Baptist for anointing and impartation before beginning public ministry.

7. Skillfulness in Spiritual Life

• Skillful Living: Quieting the Mind and Receiving (01:10:00–01:14:30):
  • Learning to quiet the mind after a busy day in order to hear from God is a spiritual skill that takes practice.
  • Fellowship and taking in from God is not about merely presenting facts (problems) but receiving the truth of His Word.
  • “When you’re praying in the spirit, your mind is unfruitful… that’s how I learned how to quiet my mind.” (01:13:00)

8. Practical Encouragements and Miracles

• Miracles and Provision are Spiritual Laws (01:15:00–01:19:30):
  • Miracles and provision are tied to spiritual laws and skillfulness in taking in from God, not to stress or striving.
  • Prioritize what is important to Him, and He will take care of your needs—sometimes in ways you never expected.
  • “Don’t worry about the prices; they have to keep going up… but we have a supply.” (01:18:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Abiding and Receiving:

  “Prayer is not about gathering up your problems and bringing them all to God. If the majority of our prayer is reciting facts, we’re missing the purpose—prayer is so God can download His Word to us."
  (47:20, Noel Ramos)

• On God’s Definition of Success:

  “I said, ‘Lord, how do I grow a church?’ He said, ‘You grow first. The church will grow.’”
  (21:10, Noel Ramos)

• On Skillful Prayer:

  “Skillfulness in prayer is knowing how to take in—receive the Word, quiet the mind, and hear God’s voice above every distraction.”
  (1:13:10, Noel Ramos)

• On Impartation:

  “Even Jesus had to receive impartation from a man of God, John the Baptist, before entering His ministry—if He had to, we certainly do too.”
  (01:06:25, Noel Ramos)

• On God’s Supply:

  “Don’t worry about the prices; they have to keep going up... but we have a supply. That’s the truth.”
  (01:18:00, Noel Ramos)

• On the One Thing Needful:

  “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
  (45:20, Quoting Luke 10:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Worship & Foundational Prayer: 00:00 – 05:38
• John 15 – Abiding and Fruitfulness: 07:30 – 16:30
• Personal Testimony & Ministry Growth: 19:00 – 25:00
• Receiving Only What Is Given (John 3:25–27): 26:00 – 31:00
• Jesus on Only Doing the Father’s Will (John 5:30): 31:55 – 36:00
• Mary & Martha (Listening vs. Busyness) (Luke 10): 36:45 – 51:30
• Spiritual Impartation & Connections: 52:00 – 01:10:00
• Learning Skillfulness & Quieting the Mind: 01:10:00 – 01:15:00
• Miracles, Supply, and Wrapping Up: 01:15:00 – 01:19:30

Conclusion

Noel Ramos’s message is a heartfelt and practical call to shift the posture of our prayer life from mere output and problem-reporting to a deliberate, faith-filled intake of God’s Word and presence. He reminds listeners that spiritual fruitfulness, wisdom, and provision come not from striving, but from abiding, receiving, and stewarding divine impartation. By prioritizing God’s voice through quietness, study, skillful prayer, and connection to spiritual fathers/mothers, believers can walk in true supernatural supply and purpose—even in demanding or uncertain times.