Building resilient faith through the power of prayer | with Jenny Guinness | Episode 418

Stéphanie welcomes Jenny Guinness to discuss the power of prayer. Jenny has been married to Os Guinness for over 50 years. Using the remarkable biography and spiritual journey of James Fraser—a pioneering missionary in China—as the centerpiece, Jenny Guinness draws out key lessons for deepening our own prayer lives.

Listen here: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/390152/link/

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice

If you enjoy this conversation on prayer, consider our Gospel Spice Course on prayer titled "The Heart Behind Prayer." It contains a full array of different videos to inspire you to pray! For more info: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

Prayer, as lived out by James Fraser, is an arena of tenacity, faith, and ongoing transformation. It’s about keeping the line open to God, partnering deeply with others, and refusing to give up even when answers seem delayed. Through prayer, spiritual strongholds are broken, lives are changed, and God’s kingdom advances in unseen and visible ways.

Jenny shares about her early exposure to prayer at the Christian community and study center, L’Abri, where prayer was not only valued but strategically woven into daily life. James Fraser exemplified this through his innovative approach: he formed an “entrepreneurial” network of intercessors back in England, tasking them with regular, committed prayers for the Lisu people he was trying to reach in remote China. These prayers were not haphazard; they were systematic and intentional, teaching us that powerful prayer often involves faithful partnership and unwavering commitment across distance and time.

A major turning point in Fraser’s ministry—and in Jenny Guinness’ understanding—came in the realization that demonic oppression wasn’t an ancient relic but a present reality for many. Fraser’s confrontation with the demonic practices among the Lisu forced him to wrestle with New Testament accounts of spiritual warfare and rely on more than just persuasive words; he learned to battle through persistent, “fighting” prayer anchored in scripture, much like Jesus did when confronted by evil.

Fraser’s persistence, even in the face of repeated setbacks and unresponsiveness, illustrates that prayer is more than asking for blessings—it is warfare for spiritual breakthrough. Jenny Guinness points out the importance of leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God during spiritual opposition.

Fraser labored for years without visible results among the Lisu, which led to moments of deep discouragement. However, he learned the critical lesson of not giving up, trusting God’s timing above his own. Jenny Guinness discusses practical steps when facing unanswered prayer, including honest spiritual “inventory”: humbly asking whether there’s unresolved sin, spiritual strongholds, or simply an issue of God’s timing at work.

Even when prayer seems unanswered, the lesson is to keep the lifeline to God open, trusting His goodness and perfect timing.

When discussing Halloween, Jenny Guinness cautions us, that while many cultural celebrations are harmless for children, the spiritual realm is real. Christians are called not to live in fear, but to be wise, discerning, and rooted in biblical truth, aware of ways the enemy seeks footholds.

To inform and equip believers for spiritual battles, Jenny Guinness recommends resources by authors such as Francis McNutt, Derek Prince, and Randy Clark. She emphasizes that understanding and engaging in spiritual warfare should be based on biblical principles, wisdom, and community support—not fear or curiosity.

Let’s commit to the kind of prayer that is persistent, Spirit-led, and shaped by scripture—standing together as the body of Christ even across great distances, for God’s glory and the freedom of others.

MORE ABOUT OUR COURSE "THE HEART BEHIND PRAYER"

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

More at https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, Stephanie humbly offers to share the little she have learned from others about the joy of prayer. She will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for her as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

More at https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

More at https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

Stephanie doesn’t really know how to pray. She’s a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what she’s learned, or any wisdom she has. But, she’s sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, she will share what she has learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, she will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking herself too seriously. She will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. Also, she will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, she will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

More at https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer