God on Fire

Notes related to Chapter 1 of "PRAYER ON FIRE" by Pastor Fred Hartley III, (c) 2006. Navpress. Colorado Springs, CO.

Many times, God's Word uses the illustration of "fire" to describe the fact and the effect of God's Presence. Pastor Hartley provides a great rundown of instances of God's use of fire, beginning with Abraham and on through. More often than not, when we Christians think of fire, we think of the general conditions of hell, or perhaps of a condemning style of preaching. But from the outset let's track with our friend, Pastor Hartley and with the Scriptures - fire is the description of God's presence.

'Prayer on fire' is the condition we experience when our approach to God - our prayers and thankful worship under the covering and authority of Jesus' Name - meet the manifest Presence of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Presence of God is what Adam forfeited by entering into disobedience. Out of God's Presence, he and his offspring, including us, became subject to the nature of sin, and the consequence of death. Sin, as you know, never provides the life-satisfaction that temptation promises. It never provides the warmth, the light, or the love that the soul truly needs. Though the soul of man strives to find or fabricate the secret passage on his own, life without the presence of God is frustrating, sorrowful, and sarcastic.

The Presence of God is restored, not through human re-training or qualification, but through God's initiative - manifestation. God has broken in to make Himself known, and to do necessary work. Take a moment to read John 1:1-18 ... and Hebrews 1:1-7. God has manifest Himself to accomplish the work of redeeming (paying the price required by His own justice), and restoring those who place their faith upon Jesus to the place of relationship with Him. He created humankind for close personal relationship with Himself, and with one another. (Matthew 22:37-39) His manifest Presence for redeeming is the Person of Jesus Christ, through whom we gain access to God by faith in what He has done. When His Presence touches believers the manifestation is the fire of restored and useful relationship between God and man - this is the baptism with the Holy Spirit. His part is finished - to make the way open for His own Presence to enter - because we had blocked His Presence by our sinfulness. Your part is to simply and sincerely call upon God the Father, in the name of Jesus the Son. (Romans 10:13; Hebrews 12:28 - 29; Colossians 1:27). Then, with worship and thankfulness, wait on His promise to manifest Himself.

"The God who answers by fire, He is God." 1 Kings 18:24

Have a great time of prayer. Enjoy the fellowship and discussion in your Growth Group.

Finding fulness and fire in Jesus,


Pastor Rich

For more inspiration, read the "Fire Starters" on pages 149 - 155 of Prayer On Fire.

For thought and discussion, consider the Study Guide Questions, beginning on page 159.