You may wonder why have a prayer conference. We care about the people of France and for over 10 years, our organization - France V.I.E., has been praying diligently for these precious people to turn to God to meet their needs; to trust in Him. Some are miserable and depressed and others lonely or looking for real love in many places.
Some of you may not pray and think it's for foolish people to pray to an unknown "Whatever". For those of us who do pray we feel God is listening and that He answers and acts in response. I've been reading His Book, the Bible, for many years and sense how important it is. It's so powerful or "puissant" (pweesan - accent on the first syllable and you almost pronounce the "n"). My son-in-law said one time that the words carry an authority when he reads them.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to "His Will", He hears us. And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer an petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
Be joyful always; pray continually give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Be careful how you ask: "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3)
We are having this conference to pray for France and it's people. We believe our hope is in Christ. We are having a relationship with God who is alive and cares for us and wants what is best for us and he wants us to follow him and talk to him. He created us to have relationship and to bring Him glory. (by honoring Him) When I bring Him glory He gives me joy, peace, and an abundant life overflowing! It's a great trade-off. Don't you think?
With very few French knowing anything at all about God many do not know where to turn when there are questions and some don't have many Godly models. We are not better than anyone else. We are all people who need a Savior. We have been given a gift of huge proportions. This unconditional love from the Father frees us up to love others.
God promises he will listen to us and prayers are effective. This verse says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16-18. What is righteous? To be righteous we have to be "made right" By accepting Christ's death on the cross to cover our own sins before God and asking Jesus to come into our hearts and lives to be our Savior makes us "right" before a Holy God. He is the one who bridges the gap to God, the Father. The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in God who is being prayed to.
We cannot access powerful prayer by using "magic formulas." (allaboutprayer.org) We don't have to use certain words or phrases to get God to answer our prayers. Although, it's not wrong to use certain words or phrases either. And yet we don't want our prayers to become rote petitions that don't have meaning. This verse says, "and when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8) "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm and he guided them to their desired haven." (Psalm 107:28-30) - Talk about power!
The power of prayer has overcome enemies, conquered death, brought healing, defeated demons. God opens eyes, changes hearts, heals wounds and grants wisdom. It draws on God's glory and might and power in this universe.
We are asking God to do a mighty work in France and for Europe as a whole. We are seeing the people of France becoming more open to talk and question life on a spiritual level then they've ever experienced it. God is softening and opening hearts and we want to be available to love and help support each other. People are trusting in Christ! If you have a desire to come to our annual Prayer Conference April 11 - 18th please let us know. It's an intimate group with usually no more than 50 - 70 total including France Vie and our guests speakers. That is what makes it so exciting. We are praying that some of you will want to join us this year.
To see the American version of the Conference brochure follow these instructions: Go to: "Special Sections" to the right. The last section is called Downloadable PDF Presentation Documents. Click that link. Scroll to the bottom click on the link for the Prayer Conference brochure if you want more specific info. For a Canadian or Australian version, please let us know and we can send you one—Blessings to you!
-Carol
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