It was during a fast at the beginning of 2024 that God spoke to me about starting a ministry called Answered Prayers.
Before then, I had never fasted for longer than a day. So when God gently nudged me to embark on a 90-day fast, I stepped out in faith and obedience. During that season, I received what I believed was a simple instruction: start a ministry called Answered Prayers.
At first, I was excited. I assumed the ministry would be centred around sharing testimonies of how God had answered the prayers and petitions I was laying before Him during that time of fasting. I imagined writing about God’s faithfulness in my own life and encouraging others through those stories.
But after a few weeks, I realised I was wrong.
Answered Prayers was never meant to be about me. It was much deeper than that.
What followed was more than two years of wrestling with a calling I did not fully understand.
To be honest, I did not know what to do with it. Ministry work was never something I had envisioned for myself, and when it came to prayer, I felt completely inadequate.
Even though I had been praying since childhood, I did not consider myself a powerful intercessor. I did not feel qualified enough, spiritual enough, or knowledgeable enough for God to choose me to lead a prayer ministry.
It took me five months just to write an introduction and two prayers. It took more than two years to finally begin putting into action what God had been gently asking me to do.
The reason for the delay was simple. I thought that once God had spoken, it was my responsibility to figure out how to make His assignment happen.
One of my greatest weaknesses is self-sufficiency.
I have done this so many times. God gives me an assignment, and almost immediately I begin using my limited, human understanding to work out how I am going to fulfil it. Instead of seeking God’s strategy, I rely on my own.
And here is the ironic part.
Throughout those two years and five months, I never once asked God what He wanted Answered Prayers to become or how He wanted me to fulfil the assignment.
Can you believe that?
I received a call to prayer ministry and never actually prayed about it.
Writing these words makes me smile and cringe at the same time because I can see so clearly now why the ministry took so long to be birthed.
So here I am.
Finally choosing to be an obedient daughter of the Sovereign God.
Finally doing what I should have done from the beginning: trusting that if God chose me, then He had made the right choice. If He called me, then He knew exactly what He was doing.
He saw something that I could not see in myself.
He saw a vessel He could use for the manifestation of His glory through prayer.
As I write this, I am having another realisation.
Whenever I choose disobedience, whether intentionally or unintentionally, I am ultimately questioning God’s judgement. I am doubting His choices, His wisdom, and His ordering of my steps.
When I put it like that, it sounds ridiculous.
Yet if I am honest, I do this more often than I would like to admit.
Over these past 29 months, however, God has been working through me in ways I did not immediately recognise.
I started prayer groups.
I led prayer sessions.
I introduced weekly prayers into our business team meetings.
I helped my children to become more comfortable with prayer.
I have interceded for individuals, families, organisations, governments, communities, and areas desperately in need of transformation.
As I reflect now, I realise something profound:
Answered Prayers Ministry had already begun.
The ministry did not start with a gathering, conference, website, a launch event, or a carefully crafted strategy.
It started on the 2nd of February 2024 when I invited a few family members to come together and pray for a loved one who was ill.
That was the beginning.
It was not polished.
It was not structured.
But it fulfilled God’s purpose.
Because this ministry was never really about writing blogs, hosting prayer conferences , or creating programmes.
At its core, it has always been about prayer.
Not only praying for myself, my family, and my loved ones, but making myself available to pray for the places and people where God desires transformation.
It has always been about becoming a willing vessel for the manifestation of God’s glory on earth.
That is what intercession is.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” Matthew 9:37
For years, I understood this scripture intellectually.
Today, I understand it differently.
There is more harvest than there are labourers willing to gather it. And perhaps there are more answered prayers waiting for manifestation than there are intercessors willing to pray them through.
This ministry is not simply about me accepting God’s call to pray.
It is about raising more intercessors.
It is about ensuring that there are more labourers available to harvest the answered prayers that have already been approved in heaven.
The hopes, dreams, and desires of many people lie dormant.
The healing, restoration, peace, joy, provision, wisdom, and abundance that God has promised in His Word are waiting for believers to stand in faith and call them forth through prayer.
As Jesus reminds us in John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
I believe we will continue to see the manifestation of this promise as God’s people pray, partnering with heaven to bring His will into the earth.
So here I am, encouraged by Joshua 1:9:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
This is Answered Prayers Ministry.
A ministry committed to praying audacious prayers that challenge recurring patterns which do not align with God’s will for His people. We exist to build faith, strengthen communities, bring healing to society, and contribute to the transformation of nations through the power of prayer.
We believe prayer is both simple and powerful. It is one of the greatest gifts God has given us.
Through prayer, hearts are healed, lives are restored, hope is renewed, communities fruitful, and nations are transformed.
At an individual level, Answered Prayers exists to help people discover their true identity in Christ, understand the authority they have been given through Him, and live purposefully from a place of faith, freedom, and spiritual confidence.
Our mission is to mobilise believers to pray, disciple, and serve, raising Christ-centred individuals who understand their identity, walk in their God-given authority, and actively contribute to the transformation of their families, communities, and nations.
“Praying our way to transformed lives, thriving communities, and Christ-centred nations.”
Our vision is to see a transformed society where people know who they are in Christ, live according to God’s purpose, exercise their spiritual authority with wisdom and love, and influence every sphere of society for His glory.
“A Christ-centred nation transformed through prayer, where people live confidently in their God-given identity and authority.”
Our Core Pillars:
Our Values
You may be asking yourself, “What qualifies me to lead Answered Prayers Ministry?”
Honestly, my greatest qualification is that I am a daughter of the Most High God, a servant of His Kingdom, and a willing vessel for the manifestation of His glory.
I do not have a Bible school qualification behind my name.
I have not always served consistently in church.
On paper, I may appear to be one of the least qualified people to lead a prayer ministry.
But I love God with all my heart.
I believe in Jesus Christ.
And I love to pray.
Perhaps that is exactly the point.
Throughout Scripture, God has never been limited by human qualifications. Time and time again, He has chosen ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory.
So I have decided to stop focusing on my limitations and start focusing on His faithfulness.
So, What’s Next?
My first step is simply this: to stop hiding.
For far too long, I have kept Answered Prayers hidden in my heart, uncertain about what it should become and hesitant to speak about it publicly.
Today, that changes.
The next step is to connect with those who feel called to become part of this journey.
If you are reading this and something in your spirit resonates with what you have read, I would love to hear from you.
Please click on the link below and share your contact details with us. I will be in touch with information about upcoming prayer gatherings, ministry initiatives, and opportunities to serve alongside us as we pursue God’s call together.
As Jesus reminds us in John 15:7:
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
May your faith grow stronger, your relationship with God deepen, and your prayer life flourish.
And may all your prayers be answered according to the perfect will of God for your life.
With love and faith,
Sibusiso “Busi” Raphekwane
Servant, Answered Prayers Ministry
Praying Lives. Transform Nations.
Your story could be the encouragement someone else needs today. If you’ve experienced an answered prayer, a breakthrough, a testimony of faith, or a moment where God showed up in your life, we’d love to hear it.
Use the form below to share your story and help remind others that prayer is powerful, hope is alive, and every testimony matters.
