INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER OF KANSAS CITY MIKE BICKLE Why We Do 24/7 Prayer with Worship

I. WHY IHOPKC IS COMMITTED TO 24/7 PRAYER WITH WORSHIP A. Our eternal occupation and function: The redeemed will function as a house of prayer in worship and prayer forever. This implies that God speaks and moves our heart and then we speak His Word back to Him (intercession) so that He releases His resources to the earth. God shows Himself to us and moves our heart and then we speak what we see back to Him (worship) so that His supremacy is delighted in thus, maintaining Gods order in His kingdom forever.
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For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isa. 56:7) The supremacy of worship: The Lord is worthy of the unceasing worship He receives in heaven (Rev. 4:8). Jesus will lead His people in praising the Father forever (Heb. 2:12). The Lord will be worshiped by all the kings in the millennial earth (Ps. 72:11; 102:15).
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1.

The living creaturesdo not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy (Rev. 4:8) In the midst of the assembly I [Jesus] will sing praise to You [the Father]. (Heb. 2:12)

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All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD (Ps. 138:4)

2.

Majesty of intercession: Jesus created the earth by speaking Gods Word (a form of intercession) and forever sustains and governs the universe in this way (Heb. 1:3; 7:25).
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since He always [forever] lives to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7:25)

Who [Jesus]upholding all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3)

3.

God has chosen worship and intercession as the highest occupation of the redeemed and the primary means by which He releases His power through them to the earth. They will reign on the earth forever as kings. This reign will flow from worshiping God as priests. Worship and intercession are among the few things that we do both now and forever.
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Made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5:10)

B.

Worship and intercession are set forth as supremely important to Gods kingdom throughout all history. The house of prayer reality is a central part of Gods plan to advance His kingdom. For example, human history began with daily prayer meetings in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:8). Israel began as a nation in a prayer meeting at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:6-20). Israels first building project was to build a worship sanctuary (Ex. 25:2). God set apart an entire tribe (Levites) in Israel to maintain day and night worship. David established night-and-day worship in Jerusalem providing full-time financing for over 4,000 musicians and singers in the tabernacle of David (1 Chr. 15-16; 23:5; 25:7). The early church began and operated in prayer meetings (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 6:4). Natural history will end in the context of a powerful global prayer movement.
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They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowshipand prayers. (Acts 2:42)

We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)

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C.

To obey a specific divine assignment: God called us to 24/7 prayer with worship. In May 1983, the Lord said audibly, I will establish 24-hour prayer in the spirit of the tabernacle of David. Central to our prophetic history is that we always be alert to the priority that God puts on us keeping a 24/7 worship sanctuary. This is both a great privilege and a costly sacrifice. 1. Wasting our life: Jesus revealed how He felt about Marys extravagant devotion to Him. Others accused her of wasting Gods provision by her extravagant worship. God is giving us the privilege to corporately waste ourselves in extravagant worship that is costly.
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A woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted?...5They criticized her sharply. 6But Jesus said, "..she has done a good work for Me9Wherever this gospel is preachedwhat this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." (Mk. 14:3-9) 2. A witness: By 24/7 worship, we give a local witness on the earth of Jesus great worth. This witness can only happen as many people embrace the devotion of Mary of Bethany. Catalytic: Ministries that are raised up to offer 24/7 prayer with worship to God have a catalytic impact that results in more people worshiping and praying. The very fact of the occupation of full-time worshipers and intercessors shifts the conversation. It results in envisioning others to establish prayer ministries, in inspiring individuals to persevere, in others being equipped and sent out as intercessors, etc. In the midst of the positive and negative response, it inevitably creates a passionate dialogue in the Church about prayer.

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D.

To minister to God: The Lord is worthy of unceasing worship in heaven and on earth (Rev. 4:8). He desires to be worshiped on earth as He is in heaven (Mt. 6:10). Worship is primary because Jesus is preeminent. Worship is both an end and a means to an end. Worship is the ultimate goal of the Church and all missions. Why? Missions exists because worship doesnt (John Piper).
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Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mt. 6:10) Jesus infinite beauty is enough to warrant their extravagant and continual worship. The angelic host worship because they see His greatness, not because they have been forgiven for sin, healed physically, or provided for financially. Worship is a response to the revelation of God. All who encounter His beauty respond in worship. Our worship and love for Jesus will never surpass our knowledge of Him. The primary problem in misunderstanding the call to worship is in not understanding Jesus majesty. Where the vision of Jesus is lacking, deep and continual worship will be lacking. A great hindrance to the end-time worship movement lies in the lack of the knowledge of God. The revelation of God and the subsequent inevitable fascination with Him are the very foundation of the worship movement (Mt. 16:15). Thus, sustaining the effort it takes to grow deep in the knowledge of God is the key to sustaining 24/7 worship. When we understand Jesus, it makes sense to adore Him continually, regardless of the cost.

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E.

To labor in intercession: Jesus requires night-and-day prayer for the full release of justice in the Church and society. Worship and prayer change the spiritual atmosphere of the region being prayed for. Night-and-day prayer results in the Spirit moving in a greater measure, as angels are more active and demons are hindered (Dan. 10:13, 20-21). This causes the works of the kingdom to have a greater impact as we proclaim the Word to win the lost, revive the Church, and impact every sphere of society with works of justice. The work and cost of 24/7 prayer is a practical expression of the commandment to love one another and to love justice.
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Shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night? 8He will bring about justice for themWhen the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? (Lk. 18:7-8; NAS) F. To encounter God: Prayer positions us to receive more from the Holy Spiritto experience more of Gods grace to know, love, and obey Jesus in a deeper way. In worship, we align our heart with Him and we receive more from Him. Jesus has so much to say to us. He wants a twoway relationship. It is the nature of God to communicate His heart with His people. To grow in revelation of the Word: We see the majesty of God as our Father, and of Jesus as Bridegroom, King, and Judge; we gain insight into His will, ways, and plans; and we understand the unique dynamics of His end-time plan to transition the earth to the age to come.
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G.

The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. (Jn. 3:29) H. To participate in the Spirits emphasis: One of the most emphasized themes in end-time prophecy is related to the Holy Spirit raising up prayer with worship across the nations. Before Jesus returns, the Spirit will raise up the greatest prayer movement in history. There are many indicators of this in the Scripture (Ps. 68:32; 96:1, 9, 13; 98:1-9; 102:15-22; 149:6-9; Isa. 12:4-6; 19:20-22; 24:14-16, 23; 25:9; 26:1, 8-9; 27:2-5, 13; 30:18-19, 29, 32; 35:2, 10; 42:10-15; 43:26; 51:11; 52:8; 54:1; 62:6-7; Jer. 31:7; 51:8; Joel 2:12-17, 32; Zeph. 2:1-3; Zech. 8:20-23; 10:1; 12:10; 13:9; Lk. 18:7-8; Mt. 21:13; Rev. 5:8; 6:9-11; 8:3-5; 18:6; 22:17). It is wise to find out what God is doing in your generation and then to throw yourself into it with all your strength.
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Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea11Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villageslet them shout from the mountains13The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man [second coming] He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry outHe shall prevail... (Isa. 42:10-13) I. Every tribe and tongue: We are committed to work with others to see 24/7 worship with prayer in every tribe and tongue across the earth (Rev. 7:9-14, 19:6). The conflict at the end of the age will be between two houses of prayertwo global worship movements (Rev. 13:4, 8-15). Isaiah prophesied about prayer ministries that would continue 24/7 until Jesus returns (this is the time Jesus will restore Jerusalem as a praise in the earth). They will not keep silent day or night. God promised to set intercessors in place by stirring them to this and providing for them.
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J.

I have set watchmen on your wallsthey shall never hold their peace [be silent, NAS] day or night7give Him no rest till He establishesJerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isa. 62:6-7)

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II.

THE OCCUPATION OF A FULL-TIME SINGER, MUSICIAN OR INTERCESSOR A. A full-time occupation: David established and commanded the full-time occupation of Levitical singers and musicians who were paid for their work (1 Chr. 9:33; 16:37; 2 Chr. 8:14).
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These are the singerswho lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night. (1 Chr. 9:33) B. God commanded David to command Israels kings to restore Davidic worship (2 Chr. 29:25). When Israel went astray, God raised up reformers with a vision to restore worship as David commanded. All seven of the revivals in OT times restored Davidic worship. They include the reforms under Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20), Jehoiada (2 Chr. 23), Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29), Josiah (2 Chr. 35), Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:10-11; Neh. 12:47), Ezra, and Nehemiah (Neh. 12:24, 45).
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He [Hezekiah] stationed the Levites in the house of the LORDaccording to the commandment of Davidfor thus was the commandment of the LORD (2 Chr. 29:25) C. As a young man, David made a vow to dedicate his life to find a dwelling place for God. This vow has changed history. It is at the heart of the end-time worship and prayer movement.
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How he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One: 3Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house5until I finda dwelling place for the Mighty One (Ps. 132:2-5) D. The Lord calls some to pledge their heart to keep a worship sanctuary in their generation. This is a great privilege. Scripture has many examples of extravagantly devoted believers who walked out a lifestyle for many years of consistently exerting the effort to draw near to God.
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Iwill cause him to draw near, and he shall approach Me; for who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me? says the LORD. (Jer. 30:21) E. Today, the Holy Spirit is calling those who will minister to God as their full-time occupation. This high calling is a great privilege, but it comes with much difficulty because it is an essential part of the Gods plan to prepare the nations for Jesus return. Do not stumble over not being able to measure the impact of this calling. Trust what the Word says about how God esteems it. The privilege of getting paid to worship, pray, and encounter Jesus is remarkable. The provision that the Lord has made for us to walk out this calling together is so gracious and rare. Consider that 99.9% of Gods people through history did not get paid to worship. He provided a people (we cannot do this alone), the finances (in direct and indirect ways), and the grace (in being called and in understanding its value and in persevering in this call). As long as God provides for you, I urge all to keep doing this lifestyle (here or elsewhere). Many forces are at work to take us out of this calling and to cause us to lose sight of its privilege. Know that we must all contend earnestly to walk out this high calling in seasons of difficulty. Regularly ask the Spirit to renew the vision that He gave you in years past for this. As with Mary of Bethany, the Lord also promised a blessing in the Millennium to the family of Zadok for faithfulness in this calling.
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F.

But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me16They shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge. (Ezek. 44:15-16)

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