Category: Prayer Resources
A Life of 24/7 Prayer
by Stephen Strang
Bickle and IHOP-KC prove prayer is far from a boring chore. Two years ago I spent a week in the prayer room at the International House of Prayer (IHOP-KC), led by Mike Bickle. I’ve known Mike for more than 20 years; I’ve watched his vision for 24/7 prayer unfold. I’ve seen the consistency of his life. I’ve watched how his emphasis on prayer, his understanding of the Tabernacle of David and a type of prayer he calls “Harp and Bowl” has changed the lives of thousands—including mine.
God did some deep things in my life that week in Kansas City, Mo., as I spent hours in God’s presence and studying the Word. He also used Mike to surprise me with a lesson on prayer. One afternoon Mike invited me to sit in on a teaching for his leaders. He talked about the importance of systematic prayer using a written prayer list. With a written list, he said, you’ll pray 10 times more than you will without it. Then he handed out a sheet using an acronym for FELLOWSHIP as a model for intimate prayer.
(Go to ministrytodaymag.com/fellowshipprayerlist to download a free copy.)
That week I began using a written prayer list and following Mike’s method of intimate prayer. I also began journaling and spending at least an hour in prayer most days. It’s a discipline I continue today. Charismatics have long placed a strong emphasis on prayer. Intense prayer—often accompanied by intercession or worship and displays of the gifts of the Spirit—is valued in our circles. Our weekly service schedules usually include “prayer meetings” and sometimes even all-night prayer vigils.
But prayer isn’t always easy. Intense times of prayer gradually become replaced by a boring routine. And after a while, prayer is more talked about than done. Mike Bickle has changed that. For him prayer is a lifestyle—it’s exciting and it’s 24/7. He doesn’t just talk about it; he actually prays and he’s motivated thousands to pray with him!
When Mike resigned from his successful Kansas City megachurch more than 12 years ago to focus on 24/7 prayer, I wasn’t sure if he’d find enough people to keep it going. After all, who would lead prayer all night or on holidays? Yet people have come by the hundreds and now thousands—most of them young people—and the depth and intensity of their prayer lives and walk with God is impressive.
Mike has since expanded IHOP-KC’s vision to include acts of justice and service alongside prayer. He’s training 1,000 students and interns at IHOPU. He’s raising up worship leaders such as Misty Edwards who are influencing worship around the world. Other churches are following Mike’s lead to begin their own “houses of prayer” or incorporating his principles into their own prayer lives. A secular way to describe this is that a trend is developing in the church.
I lead a company, not a church, yet we have a voluntary time of worship modeled after IHOP-KC every Monday to focus on intimacy with God. On Wednesday we have an intercessory prayer meeting. Not everyone attends, but I believe it’s raised the spiritual temperature of our organization. I hope you’ll be motivated to deepen your own prayer life, as I have, and to lead the way with those you serve.
Your people long to know God. They want intimacy and desire deep worship. Yet often they don’t know how to pray. I believe Mike Bickle has been raised up to show one way that has worked for him. It’s not the only way, as he’s quick to acknowledge. Yet he’s learned things most pastors need to learn—how people respond to prayer when leaders add two important ingredients: intimacy and music.
It’s an honor to have Mike as guest editor of this issue. These articles have only scratched the surface, but hopefully they’ll open your eyes to ways you can change the prayer culture of your church. May God respond to your heart’s cry as you desire more of Him for yourself and for your church.
Steve Strang has learned Mike was right: With a written prayer list, he now prays 10 times more than he used to. You can follow Steve on Facebook or Twitter @sstrang and @ministry21.
A great resource to use in your daily prayer times from IHOP-KC:
10 Prayers to Strengthen the Inner Man (PDF notes)
10 Prayers to Strengthen the Inner Man (Audio, Video, MP3)
What is soaking prayer?
Soaking, or soaking prayer is an expressive term used to describe a spiritual, emotional and physical position that we place ourselves in to receive from the Lord by spending time in His Presence. It is a way that we can calm our souls from the busyness of life and allow the Lord to soften our hearts with His love.
When we put ourselves in a place of rest and relaxation, we are entering into the rest of faith that God has for us as His children. There is a work that only the Lord can do. Soaking in God’s Presence is like putting ourselves on His divine operating table so He can put us under an anesthetic, so to speak, and perform operations that only He can perform.
One of the hardest things for us to do in our human nature is to just stop what we are doing and allow God to produce in us what only He can produce. We typically equate productivity with our own work and effort. But God has a completely different viewpoint. When we spend time with Him it is never wasted time. We are devoting and consecrating our hearts to Him without reservation. It is truly a “trust” relationship when we let Him take control as we enter into His rest. The “rest” of faith is accomplished when we cease from our own labors and enter into His.
Much of the anxiousness of life is disposed of when we enter into a lifestyle of soaking. It is the anxious heart that is plagued with voices and never can find peace. It is a HUGE accomplishment when we finally find that place of peace and rest. He is the Prince of Peace. Peace is to be a distinguishing mark of the believer’s life. Take some time today to receive His righteousness, peace and joy by His Holy Spirit. He promised that He would also pour out His Love into our hearts.
–Taken from an article by John Belt
Scripture verses:
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Exodus 33:15
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
James 4:8a
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Benefits of Soaking
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Develops intimacy with the Lord.
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Brings peace and rest from busyness, stress, worry and anxiety.
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Positions us to hear God more readily.
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Increases our joy, happiness, health, security and peace as we receive His unconditional love and acceptance.
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Enables us to have God’s heart for others as we become secure in His love for us.
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We can receive emotional, physical and spiritual healing as we submit ourselves to Him.
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Helps get our priorities in line with God’s priorities.
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Transforms us into His likeness.
Basics of Soaking
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Find a quiet place, free from distractions (turn off the phone).
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Commit a block of time to soaking – suggested minimum of 1 hr.
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Put on soft worship music (instrumental or with words, according to your preference).
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Get into a comfortable position (lying down or sitting up – whatever works for you).
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Quiet your heart before the Lord – speak words of praise, worship, adoration. Invite Him to come into this time and submit yourself fully to Him.
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Rest – you may pray or worship at times, but the focus should be resting – not striving in prayer.
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Listen and enjoy His fellowship – you may feel His presence more strongly some times than others. The point is not to feel anything particular – just to make yourself available to Him.
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You may want to journal afterwards anything that He showed or spoke to you.
