“Passion is the fuel in the engine of your purpose…That’s why if I were your enemy,
I’d steal your passion.” Priscilla Shirer, Fervent
This post is part of the #RealWomenPray online Bible study series: “Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, Strategic Prayer”
by Priscilla Shirer.
Passion is why you keep doing what you’re doing, even when it gets tough. Passion makes you want to dig in deeper and harder when everyone else would quit.
Passion combined with fervent prayer is an explosive weapon against the enemy. That’s why he wants to dull your desire. He knows if he can steal that fire inside you, you will be an easier target for discouragement. If he can get you so discouraged you stop praying, you become ineffective.
Once you are ineffective, you will have lost your cutting edge — especially when it comes to your prayer life.
SCRIPTURE
Losing Your Cutting Edge (Passion) — 2 Kings 6:1-7
Based on the book Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer, there are four encouraging details in this scripture:
1- God is still near
During the OT times, the prophets represented God’s presence. So it is important to note the presence of Elisha because it tells us God is with us. God sees, hears, and knows what is going on with our situation. The enemy wants us to believe that God is not with us and does not care. Do not believe his lie.
2- The sons were accomplishing something good when their “cutting edge” was lost
Being in the right season of our life or ministry does not mean we will not have deal with discouragement. On the contrary, most times when we are being productive and moving in alignment with our purpose, we will find ourselves challenged by frustration. If you find that you are experiencing discouragement, you may just be doing something right!
3- The ax was borrowed
Our purpose and calling in life is a gift from God. It is not ours and we do not own it. He births those desires in our heart and spirit; He will stir up the flames of our passion.
4- Only God could retrieve the ax
There are circumstances in life that seem hopeless and desperate, but nothing is too far gone that God can not work. Sometimes we just need a miracle to fan the flames of our passion. It’s easy to look to other people or influences for help, but we have to trust in God and His ability to restore our desire for the purpose in which He has created us for.
REFLECTION
Use these questions in your quiet time or feel free to comment below.
- What passions has God gifted to you? What makes you excited to get up in the morning? What drives you and motivates you to want to serve Him?
- Have you lost your passion?
- Have you recently had a time where you felt God was not near? That He did not see your situation or hear your cries?
- Describe a time when you were doing every thing “right” and suddenly found yourself facing frustration or disappointment.
- Do you need a miracle in your life? In what way do you need a miracle from God to regain your joy and passion for life?
CALL TO PRAYER
Sometimes when we lose our passion we also lose our desire to pray. So, if you have to start at a place of obedience, then just do it. Be obedient. God will be faithful to honor your obedience.
Write out your prayer using scriptures that speaks to your specific situation.
Lord, thank you that you have given us a calling and gifts to fulfill that calling. Forgive us, Lord, when we don’t believe in ourselves the way You do. Forgive us when we lose our way and find ourselves discouraged with life’s circumstances. Jesus, we ask for a miracle to bring the passion and desire back into our lives and into our prayers. Even though it is hard for us to pray, Lord, we are being obedient to Your call for us to pray for ourselves and our family. We ask You to honor our obedience, though we may feel like our prayers are hitting the ceiling and bouncing back, we trust and believe that You are good, and You hear us, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen
First of all, this ministry is great! I stumbled on your site today, and the resources and fellowship you offer to “real women” from all walks of life are fantastic. Secondly, I’m considering leading (eh…more like facilitating) a book study on Priscilla Shirer’s “Fervent” in my home. I’m only 27, and the ladies’ ages would range from 25-75, so the idea is a bit intimidating. I’ve not read the whole book yet, but I find I interact more and dive deeper when I have other people studying with me. Do you have any suggestions? Also, are the posts that you have on your site the same study guides you emailed participants when you were actively leading this study online?
Hi, Karrianne! I am so glad you reached out to us. I will send you and email so we can chat more.
I, like Karianne stumbled upon your site and am beginning a book study on Priscilla Shirer’s book
“Fervent” in my home. I know it is a powerful book and subject and I am excited to study with other women, but I, too am a little nervous about how to facilitate. I would love to hear any suggestions you may have as we begin this study.
Hi, Kelle! I am so glad you found our site. I am would be glad to answer any questions you have. I also sent you an email. Be sure to check your “spam” folder if you don’t receive it. It is from: connect@realwomenministries.org
Let me know if I can help you in any way with your study.
Thank you for this site! I’m facilitating a group and have included Fervent in our discussions. Any resources you could email to me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hi! I am also leading a study on “Fervent”. We’re beginning this week. If you have any resources or advice/ideas, I would appreciate it. Thank you!
I am a minister’s wife living in Quezon City, Philippines. I just got a hold of this book Fervent and started reading it this week. I just need someone to pray with me that I will learn and experience victory in my life with the help of this book.
Hi, Rica. I prayed for your study of Fervent and thought I would see how it went. How are you doing? I’d love to re-connect with you. You can either reply here or send an email to connect@realwomenministries.org
Hope you are well and continuing in the faith.
Doing a study on the book Fervent….absolutely love the book…please keep me posted concerning your study on Fervent at the following email address. Thank you and God bless. Brenda
Hi, Brenda! I am so glad you are enjoying Fervent. It was a very good study. Feel free to read each lesson here on Real Women and comment, if you wish. We won’t be doing another ‘live’ study of Fervent, but I’m glad to meet you here on the blog and talk about it anytime.
Thanks again for dropping by.
Hello Stephanie!
My women’s group began 2018 with the study on War Room and are extending our War Room prayer focus with Fervent, which is a great back to back journey for us digging into our battle plan. I was so encouraged to stumble across your site and your wonderful support material to lead discussions as we work our way through the Ten Strategies. Thank you for your heart and effort to provide this! I am already blessed by you!
Linda,
I am so glad you are able to use some of the material here. Check in with me throughout the study and let me know how it’s going. I’d love to hear an update.
I see the posts on your site are older, but I have Fervent by Priscilla Shirer, and I’m wanting to use it this fall as a group book study. I would love any tips or pointers you might have to offer. Thank you, Janet Howe 210-421-2776