The main ministry I am a part of is both a local church and a regional house of prayer. It may seem odd to some, but yes, we are not one or the other, but find our identity as both.
As a local fellowship, we meet weekly on Sunday mornings. We fellowship, worship, and receive teaching and preaching. We are equipped in the Word of God for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13).
As a regional house of prayer though not 24/7, we set aside focused time for worship and prayer. We gather to worship Jesus and pray God’s heart for our region, individuals, and the world.
In worship we choose to exalt Jesus to first place in our lives. Only from the place of prayer and worship can we effectively reach our communities.
Prayer is found in intimate relationship with God. As Mike Bickle of IHOPKC often shares, prayer is when we agree with what God wants to do. Worship is when we agree with who God is.
The Lord Himself said that His house shall be a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13). More and more we see the Lord stirring His people with a desire to worship and pray without ceasing. This is to be our foundation:
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.”
Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)
The Lord desires believers united in one heart and one mind. Jesus prayed for us to be known by the unity we have with God and each other (John 17:21).
Together as One Bride
As we gather to worship, we meet in different locations across the earth. In this age, it is impossible for all believers to join in the same place. At the same time, we are one in the Spirit by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
We also come together at times in larger numbers. As local churches and ministries, we unite in worship and prayer. Joined as one, we seek God’s heart and declare His praise to the nations. Whether a small or large group, we exalt our God and stand in the gap for our world. In one voice we lift our requests to the Heavens.
The Body of Christ grows in unity daily as we say “yes” to Christ’s call. We take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Him. As we walk in love, forgiveness and humility, the world will see the love of the Father displayed.
Together as one Bride, our Holy Spirit-led worship and prayer is a testimony to the world. The heart of Father God is displayed through us by our love and unity.
Your Call to Action
Get involved in a local prayer ministry or nearby house of prayer. The number one reason behind what we do is this: Jesus is worthy.
Join with believers in agreement with what God desires to do in your area and the world. Gather to lift Jesus high in worship that all be drawn to know Him and surrender their lives to Him.
We are all on the same team, with the same needs, growing into the same heart: the heart of our Savior King. Jesus desires for us to be a praise in the earth to the glory of His name as His yielded and unified Bride.
In due time, Christ will return. We will find ourselves worshiping together in one place in every way, joined by the angels and the saints gone before us. Together we will declare that Jesus is worthy. He alone is deserving of all the blessing, honor, glory, and power forever and ever!
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13 (NKJV)
“O Lord, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name
And for the remembrance of You.“
Isaiah 26:8 (NKJV)
This post is adapted from an article I wrote and originally published on the Father’s House of Prayer blog.
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