Ancient Ruins Rebuilt
Age Old Foundations Restored
WHAT IS AN iHOP?
These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them
joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all nations. (Isaiah 56:7)
1. An iHOP has central purpose of providing ministry to the Lord (2Chron
29:11)- surrounding the King with our songs (harp) and requests (bowl) as
found in Rev 5. It is worshipping with prayer and fasting (Luke 2:37) and
interceding on behalf of God's people (Isa 62:1-7).
2. An iHOP has the goal of providing ministry to God night and day; 24/7
(Isa 62:1-7; 1Thess 5:17; Luke 2:37). It’s ministry proceeds from
a love relationship into adoration and intimacy; boldness and perseverance.
3. Ministry to the Lord is the blending of songs and requests; worship and
prayer. It has both the harp and the bowl in perspective. A house of prayer
therefore is a place of crying out, devotion, pouring out hearts, contemplation,
and intercession (Rev 5).
4. Though the goal is ministry to the Lord; joy will be found by those that
worship there: it is a joy that comes from knowing our acceptance (Isa 56:7)
, from the privilege of beholding the beauty of the Lord (Ps 27:4); of seeing
his power in the sanctuary (Ps 63:); of discovering an ever deepening intimacy
with Jesus (Heb 12:1-2); of sitting at his feet (Lk 10:32-38); of intense
unity with his heart; of laboring with him in intercession (Ro 8:26).
5. An iHOP is not the domain of any one church. It seeks to serve the entire
church through its ministry to the Lord. It is a friend of the bridegroom
and as such seeks the building up of the bride, seeing her washed with the
water of the word, prepared for the coming of the king.
6. An iHOP is prophetic. As such it cries out for justice day and night
(Lk 18:7); pursues ardently the call to holiness; shows an active concern
for the poor; and listens for what the spirit is saying to the churches
(Rev 2:7,17,29,etc.).
7. An iHOP is a house for all nations. As such it is international in scope
and although its mandate is for local concerns it actively prays for the
nations (Isa 56:7). It has a particular mandate for the reconciliation of
Israel.
8. An iHOP is a house. It is a place; a building; a location where the lamp
never goes out and the fire on altar is never extinguished.
9. An iHOP is eschatological. It is an end time ministry that seeks to see
the bride prepared for the return of Christ (Lk 21:36).
10. An iHOP is a Missions Base and training center. It seeks to raise up
forerunners who will be able to walk in the rough and tumble- proclaiming
the heart of Jesus for his people, and demonstrating how to live a fasted
lifestyle in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Although there are forms to
learn concerning harp & bowl, an iHOP’s primary concern is formation;
formation of a life in Christ.