Below are Frequently Asked Questions concerning RHOP, houses of prayer, harp & bowl prayer model, the International House of Prayer, and others.  We hope this information will provide the answers to your questions.  However, if you need further explanation regarding any of the questions or have a question not covered on this page, please contact us or speak to one of the RHOP staff members.

1.    Is the Roi House of Prayer a church?

 

2.    Where is the concept of the house of prayer found in the Bible?

The phrase “house of prayer” is drawn from Isaiah 56:7, where it is used twice. “…These [foreigners] I will bring to My holy mountain and give them joy in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
 
Jesus refers to this verse when casting the money changers from the temple, as recorded in Mark 11:17. “Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Transcribed also in Mt. 21:13 and Lk. 19:46)
 
The heart of the house of prayer is perhaps best captured by David’s heart cry in Psalm 27:4: “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.”
 
King David actually established one example of a house of prayer, known as the tabernacle of David. While referred to in many parts of the Bible, the best description of this biblical house of prayer is found in 1 Chronicles 16:1–37:
 
(1) So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle  that David had erected for it… (4) And [David] appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel… (37) So [David] left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required…

3.    Is 24/7 prayer important?

We believe there is something so powerful about coming before the Lord day and night.  Throughout history, men and women have answered the call to night and day prayer and worship (see 24/7 History).  It is biblical, and we believe it is the heart of God for us to carve out time to come before Him.

4.    How does music and singing fit into a house of prayer?

 Since God is a musical being and we have been created in His very image, we have been made with a musical spirit. Almost every person finds solace, comfort or expression in music. Again, this is God’s design. In heaven, music and verbal expression (prayeWe are in the midst of a global worship movement, focused on prayer and intimacy with God. It is vital that prayer becomes enjoyable for every believer. This releases a spirit of devotion, filling the heart with worship.

Many who have begun houses of prayer will attest to the “rock-pile” prayer meetings, where one feels as though he or she is simply chipping away little by little at the resistance around them with very little anointing and power. Fortunately, through God’s sovereign design, when worship is combined with intercession, a spiritual stirring occurs through the corporate body of believers.

Music awakens the heart to beautyr) are never separated from one another. We base most of our prayer meetings in the house of prayer upon this concept and value.

When King David instituted the tabernacle, he knew that worship and devotion were major components of day and night intercession. He must have possessed deep revelation of how heaven hosts a prayer meeting. We are seeking to emulate this heavenly model, found in Revelation 5:8. We call this particular model “harp and bowl intercession.”

5.    Why are the concepts of “beauty” and “enjoyable prayer” important for the house of prayer?

 The highest expressions of beauty are the beauty of God (Ps. 27:4) and the beauty He imparts to the Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:27; Ps. 149:4). These two realms of beauty provide a solid foundation and fuel for night and day prayer.
 
Fascination: The heart of man was designed to be fascinated with who God is and what He looks like—never to be dull and lifeless. Part of our journey is rediscovering how amazingly beautiful and fascinating He is.
 
Confidence: As we begin to understand how amazingly beautiful He is, we also begin to understand that He has passed His own beauty on to us. We stand confident in His love and grace, sustained in affection; not in shame or fleshly motivations.
 
Pleasure and joy are indispensable to the house of prayer. He assured us through the prophet Isaiah that He would give us joy in the place of prayer (Isa. 56:7). The psalmist said, “At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Ps. 16:11)
 
In the house of prayer, we are operating under a paradigm of a God who is beautiful, fascinating and full of delightful pleasures. These qualities are inexhaustible on this side of eternity and are a worthy and wise pursuit for the human heart.

6.    Is a certain prayer format important?

Yes & No – there are many ways to pray and no specific way is better than another; however, we believe the Harp & Bowl prayer model allows us to sustain prayer for long periods of time and makes it very enjoyable.  This model also facilitates team ministry, which anyone can get involved in.

7.    What is the Harp & Bowl Model?

Harp & Bowl is a prayer model that incorporates worship music, prayer, and scripture.  It is a form of team ministry that helps us sustain long periods of prayer; making it much more enjoyable.

8.    What is an Intercessory Missionary?

An intercessory missionary is one who has committed to prayer and fasting as the first work of ministry with a view to establishing a 24 hour prayer furnace that will help make outreach more anointed and effective for the church in Utah, transforming our region. Intercessory missionaries are supported through financial support that each one raises, just as any missionary would, and is the modern day equivalent of a gatekeeper in the Tabernacle of David.

 “These are the singers… who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.” 1 Chronicles 9:33

9.    What is RHOP’s affiliation with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO.?

We are not directly affiliated with the International House of Prayer, but we have chosen to incorporate the Harp & Bowl prayer model into what we do in the prayer room.

10. We’ve heard that the International House of Prayer has some strange doctrinal beliefs, what do you think about that and will it impact your house of prayer?

While we do use the Harp & Bowl prayer model at RHOP, we are not officially affiliated with the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO.  Many people have various opinions, both good and bad concerning the International House of Prayer.  We choose not to participate in the debate, but would refer you to the IHOP website to see for yourself what they believe.  You can view their statement of faith and other topics of interest at: IHOP.org.

11. How can I participate?

There are various ways you can participate with RHOP – come to the prayer room as often as you can; join a team as a musician, singer or intercessor; serve in an administrative area; pray for us as we pray for the nations & region; support an intercessory missionary or RHOP financially.  There are many ways you can connect and participate at RHOP.  For further details go to the “Connect” page and/or contact us.

12. What are the different designations of involvement?

Our RHOP Family commits to spending at least 3 hours in the prayer room.  Part time intercessory missionaries commit to 10 hours of prayer room time and 10 hours of administrative work.  Full time intercessory missionaries commit to 20 hours of prayer room time and 20 hours of administrative work.  Of course if you are just called to visit the prayer room from time to time, we welcome you to come and enjoy it at any time we’re open to the public.  For more detailed information please go to the “Connect” page.

13. What’s appropriate when I’m in the house of prayer?

You are welcome to worship and pray as the Lord leads.  Dancing should be kept to designated areas, but it is welcomed.  Personal Ministry in the prayer room is not permitted unless directed by platform leaders or RHOP leadership.  For more details please contact us and request a copy of our Prayer Room Etiquette.

14. Can my children come?

Yes – children are welcome at the house of prayer, all we ask is that children remain with their parents at all times.  If children become disruptive, we ask that they be taken out of the prayer room so others are not distracted during their time in prayer.

15. Where are you located?

 

16. When can I come to the house of prayer?

We are open at various times throughout the week… please check the “calendar” and “prayer room schedule” for specific days/times.  You are also welcome to contact us at: info@roihop.org.

17. How can I learn more about the house of prayer?

Please contact us anytime for more information regarding Roi House of Prayer – info@roihop.org