WHY PRAYER MATTERS

28/03/2025 - Macy Counsell

Despite growing up in a non-Christian household, I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus at the age of 15. From that moment, I was immediately gripped by a hunger for God and wanted to pursue Him in the most passionate way I could. That meant studying the Bible, attending worship services and serving in my local church. But there was one area that didn’t come naturally—praying out loud.

Whenever my leaders asked me to pray out loud, I often felt awkward and uncomfortable. I loved praying at home, but the idea of praying passionately in front of people felt intimidating. Sometimes, when my youth leader asked me to pray, I would stumble over my words and end up apologizing. Looking back, I realize it wasn’t just nerves—I didn’t believe my prayers were important or powerful.

Why did I need to pray out loud when the youth pastor knew all these big words and sounded so confident?
Why should I pray when someone else in the group knew the Bible way better than I did?

I assumed their prayers carried more weight than mine. But as I matured in my faith, I recognized that the enemy had planted a seed of intimidation and discouragement inside of me—one that only grew over time.

But why would the devil be threatened by a 15-year-olds prayer? The answer is simple: because prayer is powerful.

Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” That means whatever stands in my way—whether anxiety, lust, or addiction—I have been given authority over it.

But having authority doesn’t mean we just sit back. Isaiah 54:17a says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.” We often quote the first part but overlook the second. God gives us the authority, but we are the ones who must condemn every voice that rises against us. As a young girl battling insecurity, comparison, and anxiety, I had no idea I had the power to silence those lies.

As we learned in the last blog, whilst God is Sovereign, and it’s His power at work, we know from Ephesians 3:20 that His power works “in us.” God’s power works mightily through our prayers.

As a young child, I had recurring dreams where I was trapped in dangerous situations—someone breaking into my house or trying to kidnap me. In every dream, I tried to scream for help, but I couldn’t. It was as if something was silencing me. Looking back, I realize the enemy had been trying to silence me from the beginning because there was a sound inside of me that had the power to trample on all his works. Psalm 8:2 says, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”

This isn’t just for me; it’s a word over this generation. God’s power can work through your voice! So many in this generation feel silenced by intimidation, fear and comparison—unaware of the power of their voice. One in five children in the UK is dealing with common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.[1]The word of God speaks a better word. We have a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I believe God is raising up a generation of intercessors—young men and women who will stand firm in the place of prayer.

The world may say prayer isn’t that important. In the West, we love the idea that we don’t need to do anything, that God will do what He wants regardless. But the Bible paints a different picture. When God told Elijah that rain was coming, he didn’t sit back and wait - he travailed (desperately cried out) in prayer until the promise became reality. Elijah knew the power of his prayer, and the sound inside him changed the climate of a nation. That same power is inside us today.

James 5:16b says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” We are made righteous through faith in Jesus and can therefore trust our prayers are greatly effective.

At Gen Zeal, we’re believing for a generation that stands on the Word of God, knowing that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5a). This is the generation that will rise up in prayer, take their authority, and shift the world around them.

[1] Jamie Grierson, “UK Childhood Mental Health Criss to Cost £1tn in Lost Pay, Study Finds,”, The Guardian, February 5, 2025

WHY ZEAL MATTERS

04/02/2025 - Josh Green

Zeal matters because, in the words of Pastor Karen Wheaton, who oversees The Ramp: “YOU MATTER!”

Recently I did a Bible study on all the times God acts independently of humanity vs when He works in cooperation with us to achieve His purposes. I was stunned to discover that roughly 10% of the time God does things without any human participation, but 90% of the time He works in partnership with us.

Let me break it down:

- In creation God worked independently from humanity. He didn’t look for people to pray, they weren’t created yet. He didn’t search for a prophet. He simply decided to make the world to share His love with us.

- In the plagues of Egypt, out of His own justice, God punished Egypt for their disobedience. He didn’t use humans to outwork the wrath and destroy His enemies, like He did with Joshua and David.

- In the Resurrection, God defeated death Himself through His Son, and as the Bible says, “God raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 2:24).

You get the picture…

…And this is good theology for us to hold. God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, however He wants. We need this in our framework as those who are busy, stressed-out, and rushing around trying to help God out (just me?)

We all need a healthy reminder that He doesn’t need us. But He does want us…

What I began to discover was that even when God acts independently, humans still show up in the story.

- In creation, He made humanity.

- Through the plagues, He saved His people.

- Through the Resurrection, He defeats Satan, sin and death for us.

Even though God is Sovereign and highly exalted, and at times acts independently, He is always working for our good. His heart is for us, His love is towards us, and His plans are for our good.

I need to remember this too. Why? Because while God’s sovereignty helps me overcome my tendency to overwork, reminding me that ultimately it’s His power at work, and leads me into rest and trust in His ongoing work, I can also be quick to discount and disqualify myself from being part of His story

Sometimes it’s easier to believe in Heaven than Heaven-on-Earth. It can be easier to accept a God of power, but difficult to walk in “His power working in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

I could give plenty reasons why God shouldn’t use me, and yet, the Bible is full of examples of how God used flawed, broken, and hurting people to fulfil His plans.

And that’s the flip-side. It seems that most of the time, when God wants to work on the Earth, He looks for humans to partner with.

- “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

- “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7).

Moses leads God’s people out of slavery. David fights God’s battles. Joshua takes the people into the Promised Land. The prophets speak to God’s people. John prepares the way. Mary gives birth to Jesus.

Hear me friends, you matter. God invites you into His story.

So, what does all that have to do with zeal? I’m glad you asked…

As we read in 2 Chronicles 16:9, God is looking for hearts fully committed to Him. We’re not called to passivity but wholehearted passion.

We can’t afford to reject passion, for within it we’ll find a key aspect of faith. James 2:20 says “faith without works is dead.” Ouch, James! Our faith requires action and wholehearted devotion, otherwise it’s lifeless. And we need to rediscover life again! And passion helps us rekindle dying flames.

Action without passion will be short-lived. Or it can turn into disillusionment. But zeal and action are a force to be reckoned with. As the saying goes, passionate people change the world. Are you ready to be a world changer? It’s hidden within awakened zeal.

Zeal takes on different forms but it’s certainly not complacent or inactive. Zeal has legs, heart and teeth. Zeal has grit, resilience and fight. Zeal drives us forward to keep on believing what God has said. Zeal is boots on the ground fulfilling God’s purposes with love and truth, kindness and conviction, surrender and submission.

You matter in God’s story and zeal will be the driving force and wind in your sails to do what He’s asked you to do, go where He’s called you to go, and say what He’s instructed you to say.

We need zeal because we need you. So, in the face of overwhelming darkness, statistics of decline in the church that causes us to despair, and all the challenges we face, may we arise with zeal once again. Let faith rise in us to continue to believe in what God has said.

Would you give to the work of Gen Zeal today? Join us as we contend for the next generation to be awakened to holy passion, fervent prayer, and bold proclamation.

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