YHOP?
Here’s the last blog entry (I think) before we leave KC, unless Vesper sneaks one in tomorrow a.m. when she gets back from the night watch. As soon as she gets back I’m rushing over there for a few precious hours before catching our flight. Before I get into it, the colors to the right are another meditation on the fringes of Jesus’ garment. But as I was painting, the antiphonal singers began quoting from Isaiah 53 “and by His stripes we are healed.” It was like some one gripped my insides as I sat there thinking about the wounds of Jesus, and how it was the Father’s pleasure to crush His Son that we might be drawn into eternal fellowship with Him. I am especially ruined by the thought that Jesus was a “marked man” from birth (flight into Egypt Matthew 2:13) and the Lamb of God from the foundations of the world (Isaiah 41:1-4).…but more on that Sunday.
Moving right along, as we were leaving the prayer house this evening to put the kids to bed, a random 20-something who held the door for us stopped us and began prophesying over us and our kids, and yes, most of it was dead-on-stop-in-your-tracks from God. We are so thankful that when we get on the plane tomorrow, we’ll be going back to a place that is warm to the Holy Spirit. We’re so thankful that the same fire is burning in the hearts of our people. On the other hand, I know there are people just like us who have come here to IHOP who have had to sell nearly everything to get here. There are people who have gone against the counsel of their church, their family, their friends just because they want to dwell in a house of prayer. There are internationals here illegally who cannot sit in the view of the camera for fear of being seen by their government on the internet or tv. And here we are “doo-dee-doo” sent by our small church in NJ with the charge to not come back without something to share with every one. Humbled is the word that comes to mind, and priviledged by brotherly and sisterly love and visionary leadership.
So the question has been on my mind since being here: YHOP? God seems to periodically expose Lamb of God to new dimensions of His kingdom that blow our cooperate mind, or at least cause us to evaluate everything we’re doing. Brazil comes to mind as a major grafting of our church’s DNA. I wasn’t around for this but I’m sure the Sonship teachings had a similar effect. So it is with IHOP. So far in a 6 month period, Kansas City has seen the likes of Pastor Scott, Troy, Todd, Patti, and of course Noah (who is here for the best 6 months of his life). And there are others who are prepearing to go in the near future. It is obvious that God has something for us to glean from the work out here, and all I can say is thank God for airplanes and the interstate.
So perhaps I won’t fully answer that question so that you who are reading this will be compelled to see for yourself, but I have a hunch as to why our heart cries resound in unison with theirs. The first and most fundamental value to everything IHOP is (and I quote form one of our Harp and Bowl training manuals) “…The sustaining reality behind the IHOP-KC model of 24/7 prayer is encountering God in His beauty…The beauty of Holiness is foundational to intimacy. Our primary reward (and motivation) is not the breakthrough of revival. The breakthrough is fantastic, but it is our secondary reward. Jesus Himself is our primary reward.” And “The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision and said ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your exceedingly great reward.’” -Genesis 15.1
Some might criticise IHOP for an overdeveloped imagination in God’s affections toward us due to too much contemplative prayer and not enough action. But IHOP’s mandate is clear-it is to be a house of prayer that never lets the fire go out. It is to be a missions base that sends hopelessly love-sick missionaries into a love-starved world. Some of these missionaries are church planting in other nations, some are worship leaders, recording artists, professors, business men, engineers, etc. This has effectively created a culture of addiction to the presence of God. As Mike Bickel puts it so well, “Lovers will always outwork workers.” And as an aside, IHOP does a tremendous amount of outreach into all levels of society, so it’s pretty exciting to see how prayer fuels evangelism and ministry, but never takes the place of it, and ministry to the world always being informed by a priesthood of believers misistering before the Lord. All that to say we never mature from prayer into ministry. One does not displace the other, and neither will exist with lasting affect if the heart remains cold to a God who is ravished by His Bride.
One more thing: IHOP is not just a place for young people, though they are definately the majority! I see a suprising number of older people here too. They even have a “Simeons program” for 50 years+ who are called to day and night intercession. That sounds like a heavenly retirement program to me!
Speaking of retiring, I may use that as my cue to cuddle up to some night reading:
Mysterium Paschale (The Mystery of Easter) by Hans Urs Von Balthasar
The bookstore here has a great selection. I got this title because any one with a name like that has got to be smarter than the average nut.
Peace, Ben
March 15th, 2008 at 5:05 am
You right been. The women of LOG have beening buzzing about the IHOP after reading Ester’s blog. I think there are many from LOG who would love to experience the 24/7 House of Prayer. Wouldn’t be great to get that started in NJ. There have been rumors that it could be done. I would stand up and volunteer tomorrow if necessary. I really believe in the power of prayer and as Pastor Scott reminds us, “we must pray in order to affect change”. Let bring the change in Jersey with 24/7 prayer.
Vicki
March 15th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I’ve decided after reading this that I’m going to hand Esther’s Kaffe Klatsch over to Ben. (just kidding.)
Wow.
No, I’m not going to do another entry; this says it all.
All I can say is, yes, I did the night watch last night, and it was so, so sweet. Even though we all have different callings from God–a purpose–an assignment…and as Ben says, it NEVER moves away from prayer. I see that now…my chief, primary and most…(gosh, i can’t find a word that stresses it enough!)…important purpose in life is to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…never, ever to move from the place of intimacy with my Bridegroom.
Readers, God’s BLESSINGS to you.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Vicki, keep your finger on that pulse…everything I hear is that it’s hard to do but I believe it might be where this is going…think a 5-10 year plan…I’m thinking of having a night vigil in the near future, though…pray for the logistics, but mostly for God’s leading and timing!!! Girl, I’m with you!
You might be interested to know that there are a few houses of prayer in our near vicinity–none of them 24-7 but one does 1 a month, and the other holds a LOT of meetings, almost verbatim in the IHOP “harp and bowl” style.
You can start by subscribing to the webstream on the IHOP website and holding vigil that way…it’s sweet…and only $10 a month…
March 16th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Thanks for the info Vesper. I definitely am interested in learning to pray more effectively and do more corporate prayer.
Vicki
March 16th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Hi Ben and Vesper,
I’m loivng reading your blogs…Wow, Alban’s drawing is amazing! Your experience sounds life-changing, and ultimately community-changing.
The only thing I’m not happy about is the 50+ group. Does that really necessitate a separate grouping??? And what’s this talk of retirement…Haven’t you heard? Life begins at 50!
Sorry I couldn’t help myself, as I’m only 4 months away from the big 5 0 !!!
I pray that the Lord would help you retain all that He has given you, help you to concentrate on the things He has for you, and indeed magnify those things He would have you share…and that you would be protected from any attacks as you re-enter, In Jesus’ Powerful Name, Amen!
Love,
Elise