Heavy & Hopeful Heart
We've been facing a crisis here at the International House of Prayer where I’m serving as an Intercessory Missionary. I have been quiet on the matter, primarily due to my sincere desire to understand, pray and see what would come of it all before speaking. This crisis has been a heavy weight on many of our hearts here, but we’re not without hope in this. Jesus is our hope for the future. Our hope is not in our jobs, the ministry we serve with, or anything else but Jesus and his good leadership in our lives.
This community has been praying for 24 years, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many prayers and prophetic songs coming out of the prayer meetings have been asking the Lord to purify His Bride and to bring her into unity. I firmly believe this very situation is an open door for just that. If we will not harden our hearts but will humble ourselves and receive His leadership in this crisis, we will come to the other side of it beautified, looking more like our Jesus. This trial is an opportunity for us to receive the purifying fire of God and His shaking of all that is false and faulty so that what remains within our hearts is the fear of the Lord.
The most recent news from IHOPKC is that our organization has officially and completely severed all ties with Mike Bickle due to serious, grievous allegations against him on multiple accounts of clergy sexual abuse with minors, spanning decades of his ministry life. As you can imagine, this news has caused much pain, sadness and grieving in our community and in the Body of Christ around the world. We have spent time weeping together, seeking understanding and asking the Lord to have His way with us.
IHOPKC's future is unknown. Some are calling for the end of this prayer room. Others are adamant that it must go on. I do not claim to know the will of the Lord in the situation. It remains to be seen what the Lord will make of this community and ministry. Whatever He does, we desire and are praying He would heal every person affected by this grievous situation, bring discipline where it’s needed and continue to strengthen the prayer life of His saints globally,
To read the official statements made over the past few months of this crisis, visit the IHOPKC Press Release page here.
I am deeply grateful for the prayers and encouraging messages I’ve received from so many of you these past few months. The Lord is very present with me, and I am confident He will lead me into His goodness.
Would you join me in praying for:
-those directly affected by clergy/sexual abuse at the hands of IHOPKC and its leaders over the years - healing, comfort and renewal
-staff and community here at IHOPKC who are giving their strength (and weakness at times) to serving in the Prayer Room around the clock
-wisdom and conviction in the hearts of the leadership of IHOPKC as they make decisions affecting so many in the coming days
-Body of Christ around the world to not lose heart but remain faithful to the Lord amidst this very deep disappointment and tragedy
-my own heart to remain humble, attentive to God’s wise words and strengthened to endure through this trial
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor that you would be able to stand against the schemes of the devil… praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication…”
Ephesians 6:10-18