Monthly Archives: October 2015

United Prayer – Taking it into the Prayer Room

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11701226_990322364364204_1884118167031320414_nTaking it into the Prayer Room

Meet together and study the verses, thoroughly answering each question as a group. Carefully discuss the “Keys in Antiphonal Singing.” Then put together a prayer and worship team, designating who will be the intercessors and who will be the antiphonal singers. Choose a leader for the intercessors and a leader for the worship team. Pray through some of the apostolic prayers of Paul (Romans 15:5-7, 13; 10:1; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:16-19; Philippines 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12; 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; 5:23-24; and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 3:1-5).

Then take it into the prayer room, and practice with the intercessors praying the Word and the antiphonal singers responding to the Word through singing short phrases. Have the musicians play their instruments throughout this prayer time. After your one or two hours in the prayer room, come out and have a time to debrief and evaluate your prayer time. What did you do right and wrong? How can you improve in the future? In closing, pray the prayer for unity.

How to Build Harmony in Houses of Prayer

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11053165_964488170280957_3100103821663776017_nUnited Prayer Life Application

There is an incredible power in united intercession. God brings harmony through song and intercession in Houses of Prayer throughout the world, and there is great expression of creativity in the prayer room through united prayer. Take time to incorporate this into your own prayer life and House of Prayer by carefully doing the following:

  • Meditate on Psalm 133 – What blessings have you experienced in your life when you have been united with other Christians? In what way do you think there is power in united intercession?
  • Study Colossians 3:12-14 – Look carefully at the values that help facilitate unity in prayer: mature team ministry, inclusiveness, and centrality of the Word. Have you experienced these values in the prayer meetings in which you have been involved in the past? Explain. How can you improve?
  • Study Ephesians 5:19-20 – Have you ever experienced the combination of singing and praying the Word? In what way does this partner with God’s heart? Write down your answer. Explain antiphonal singing from what you have learned.
  • How is the united creativity of God expressed in the prayer room and around the world? – Write a prayer thanking God for what you have learned about united prayer, and ask Him to build united intercession in your city.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Creativity in the Worldwide Prayer Movement

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1619267_964089653654142_2289170929060942269_nGod is up to something big! We must learn to celebrate His united creativity and diversity as Houses of Prayer spread worldwide.

Expect variation and creativity as the prayer movement increases. Some people have thought that Houses of Prayer have to be exactly alike. As you read about what God is doing, you can see that this is not true. The Holy Spirit is extremely creative. Each city and nation is different and is uniquely designed by God. Rejoice in different people and ways of praying. Rejoice in the different instruments and singers that God brings. Rejoice in God’s unity in diversity.

Seek God for the perfect expression He wants for you, your church, and your city. Don’t think it has to always turn out the same way or be done in the same fashion. The important thing is to begin so that you can take your part in the beautiful tapestry of prayer that God is designing throughout the earth. Peter Greig expresses the creativity of God in unique expressions of prayer:

“One of the things that often take people by surprise when they create space for 24-7 prayer is that there is an instant explosion of creativity. Instinctively, it seems, many people choose nonverbal ways of communicating with God the moment they have the opportunity. Suddenly prayers are painted, drummed, enacted, rhymed, choreographed, and even sculpted… The creativity of God is evident all around us, as is the inadequacy of speech amid the mysteries of life. How then can we reduce something as profound as prayer to mere words? Loving God demands the whole of our being: emotion, imagination, and personality.” Peter Greig and David Blackwell

A friend I was visiting was mending a big tablecloth with a beautiful design. There were a few tiny holes in various places and instead of throwing it away because it had no use, she wanted to mend the holes. At one point she told me to take the two ends and help her hold it up to the light. She then looked carefully for any holes that would be hard to see when looking at a small section. We held it up and sure enough, I found a small hole in one of the corners. She quickly mended the hole and there it was, a beautiful tablecloth!

The worldwide prayer movement is like this beautiful tapestry as it grows with united and creative intercession. Each piece is important. The entire piece makes a beautiful design for the world to see. Just as a tablecloth has a purpose for a family to eat and dine together on it, so the tapestry of prayer has a purpose. Believers gather to feast on the goodness of God and pray for the world. Its purpose and design will touch people all over the world with the glory of God and His salvation.

A tiny hole in this worldwide prayer movement will diminish the overall effect and purposes of God in that location. God is mending the nets and preparing the world for a huge catch of fish. It’s time that we each do our part in bringing about this great design of creative and fervent prayer in God’s House.

Let’s do our part and rejoice in the expression of God’s united creativity.  

As you anticipate this beautiful tablecloth of blessing, go to prayer with great expectation. Pray for God’s blessing in each prayer meeting you hear about, and pray for a great increase in 24/7 prayer in every nation. God is releasing a spirit of prayer throughout the earth.

He is raising up Houses of Prayer with great uniqueness and creativity in every land. This creativity does not diminish our unity. This unites us more because we realize that we don’t have to be exactly alike. Our unique prayer meeting adds to the overall unity of the prayer movement. God-inspired creativity is part of God’s plan in the prayer movement (Exodus 35:30-35; Psalm 45:1; Proverbs 8:22-31).

Ask God to show you a bigger picture of Himself through the diversity and creativity of 24/7 prayer. He is zealous for His House of Prayer throughout the world. He will take the full expression of His praying Church and make it a beautiful tapestry for the world to see and desire. When we unite, nothing is impossible.

“The zeal of the Lord of Hosts is loose in the land. The power and anointing in the Church is escalating as God releases the zeal of the Father’s house upon His people. It brings holy boldness, (creativity) and an unquenchable spirit of prayer. It stems from a holy jealousy of God who is declaring in a loud voice, “I’m coming to take over My house and to claim My house for My own.” James Goll

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Gods United Creativity Expressed

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Possible Hindrances to Unity in a House of Prayer“There will be an understanding that will go forth: The Father’s house is not first the house of preaching. The Father’s house is not first the house of sacraments. The Father’s house is not first a house of fellowship or supernatural gifts. My house shall have many of these things, but My Father’s house shall be known first as a house of prayer for all nations—of people being built together, holy, on fire, compassionate; of living stones being brought together as they seek My face. And there will be a smoke that shall come forth from these living stones being built together. And the smoke signal shall rise up to the highest heaven and will be received. This smoke is called the incense of prayer.” James Goll

The incense of prayer is rising up to heaven all throughout the earth. A passion for prayer is springing up in many nations. We are seeing the creativity of God expressed in the prayer room in ways we have never seen before. God is showing up in the most unusual places with creative ideas and expressions in worshippers and intercessors. I have been to many prayer meetings, and I am amazed at how filled each one is with God’s creativity and uniqueness.

God is putting this together into a united tapestry of creative prayer all throughout the earth. Each prayer meeting is a creative expression of God’s glory. He is a creative God. Just as no two snowflakes are the same, no two prayer meetings are exactly alike either; each one is beautiful in its own way. We can go to prayer with anticipation and ask:

“God, what are you going to do today? How will you lead us? Show us your glory and majesty as we pray.”

We may have a plan, but God expresses it in His own way through our prayers and worship. The prayer room is a dynamic place where the united creativity of God is expressed in all its dimensions of magnificent beauty.

“Creative and unusual environments can be highly conducive to prayer. The prayer room enables people to pray nonverbally by posting artwork, poetry and graffiti on the wall. The environment can be designed artistically to stimulate and direct prayer.” Peter Greig and David Blackwell

There is a united creativity within diversity that gives us a bigger picture of what God is like. He does not want everyone to sing exactly alike. In His wisdom He brings unity through the various expressions of praise from His people. The word “create” in Webster’s Dictionary means: “to produce, to bring forth, to bring into being from nothing, to make or form, to form anew, to generate, to shape or organize.” God shapes and produces a beautiful sound from His people as they praise Him. The following are just a few examples of creativity expressed in 24/7 prayer.

  • Creativity in antiphonal singing – Each singer has a unique way of singing not only in voice but also in the phrases sung that spring from the Word.
  • Creativity in intercession – Intercessors are all unique in the way they pray. Some may praise God in intercession while others like to pray warfare prayers. Some may pray for cities while others pray for countries or individuals.
  • Creativity in prayer rooms – Prayer rooms are all decorated in different ways. Some are large and some are small. Some are colorfully decorated and bright while others may have a dimly lit lamp.
  • Creativity in action – Some are very action-oriented towards reaching the lost while others are more interested in helping the poor and needy.
  • Creativity in age – Some prayer meetings are filled with youth and louder music while others have older or more seasoned intercessors. Others may have every age group represented.

It is exciting to see how uniquely creative Houses of Prayer are that are springing up throughout the world. Think about it. If you have children, do you want them to all be alike? No. You probably delight in their unique design. One likes to paint while another likes to read. Another child is good at sports. Their unique gifting and expression of life is a delight to your family. If everyone in your family were exactly alike, it certainly would be boring. We need diversity to compliment our unity. And together you, as a family with a wide array of unique looks, personalities, gifting, and talents, make a solid family unit that is such a delight to God.

The prayer room is like a uniquely created family.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Keys in Antiphonal Singing

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11709522_990326201030487_2695539852316010783_n
“They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages” (Revelation 15:2b-3).

The following are keys in antiphonal singing:

  • Sing short – This is not the time for singing a whole song. Short phrases are the key and should be only a few words in length.
  • Stay on the same theme – Keep with the theme that is prayed in the Word.
  • Pay close attention to what is happening – Remember you are a team, and the Holy Spirit will give you a natural flow. It may take time but stay in tune with what is happening.
  • Sing one at a time – This will keep from confusion. Antiphonal singers alternate in their singing. The prayer meetings I have been involved with usually have three or four antiphonal singers who sing one at a time.
  • Echo phrase, paraphrase, repeat, or develop the phrase – The singer may want to sing exactly the same phrase as the last singer or what the intercessor prayed. A repeated phrase can be powerful. A singer may want to paraphrase or summarize the phrase. He may want to develop the phrase by expanding the same idea or repeat a phrase for impact.

Singing and praying the Word partners with God’s heart. Worship agrees with who God is—He is righteous, loving, kind, powerful, mighty, good, truthful, merciful, and more.  Praying agrees with what He has promised to do. The Word of God provides fuel for prayer and keeps it alive. His Word is His will. Praying the Word connects with the singers in singing the Word, and there is a powerful interaction that takes place.

I am an intercessor and when the singers sing what I have prayed, it moves me into a greater intensity and faith in my next prayer—and this goes on and on. The praying and singing together rise up to a new level. You will see it yourself as you begin. This is what happens in heaven (Revelation 4:8).

There is no greater strength than the power of the Church with one heart and one goal, united before the throne. The diversity of types of intercessors, the diversity of different musicians and different singers intensifies this oneness. I believe this is one of the most effective forms of spiritual warfare. It’s powerful—It’s dynamic—It inspires awe in God because He creates it, and it’s all for Him. Andrew Murray in his book, Andrew Murray on Prayer, emphasizes the power of agreement in prayer. He says:

“Christians cannot reach the full blessing God is ready to bestow through His Spirit until they seek and receive it in fellowship with one another. It was to the hundred and twenty praying together in full agreement under the same roof that the Spirit came from the throne of the glorified Lord. In the same way, it is in the union and fellowship of believers that the Spirit can manifest His full power.”

What happens when intercession and singing is combined?

When these two come together with the Word, then revelation increases. The intercession hits the mark, the body of Christ is encouraged and empowered, and evangelism takes place as one leaves the prayer room. Singing the Word together with intercession is definitely going to lead to dynamic evangelism, because the human heart will not be able nor want to contain what happens in the prayer room. It will spread through the entire world to every tribe, language, people, and nation.

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests…” (Revelation 5:8-10a).

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Antiphonal Singing

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11390094_968828946513546_3817218908514737680_n-2God loves it when we make music in our hearts to the Lord. He wants us to speak and sing His Word. It’s a safeguard for our hearts because when we sing God’s Word, we are singing about who He is and who we are in Him.

When we corporately pray and sing the Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, He reveals His will and heart to us. This renews and transforms our minds. It touches our spirit and impacts our emotions. We begin to align our hearts and thoughts with God’s. Instead of talking about all the negative things in life (which is so easy to do), he teaches us to speak to one another in psalms and spiritual songs with a thankful heart. How easy it is to look on the dark side of life, but this is a much better way to live. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:19-20:

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is a powerful way to do this where singers interact back and forth with singing and the Word. This type of responsive singing is excellent for the prayer room. It’s called antiphonal singing. The singers interact with the intercessors and musicians in singing the Word. Day and night prayer is team ministry where the team works together. Nobody gets the spotlight except God Himself.

This is the beautiful thing that God is doing with his end-time Church. He is beginning to get all the glory. Everyone takes part in the House of Prayer, and nobody takes the spotlight. Everyone gives way to one another because there is the understanding that all of us in harmony are better than one of us alone.

This is a learning experience for some of us who like to be up front because we are good musicians or strong intercessors. We need to realize that we must give way to others. But if we do, in the end God brings a beautiful harmony that we couldn’t have done on our own. There is no more room for lengthy ten-minute prayers or a personal concert where we show off our musical talents. No! It is all for God and Him alone—an audience of one—and we all work together to bring about His will in the prayer room for His glory.

It is time that we join in unison as with one voice. In 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 we see how the musicians and singers were so united in song that they were as with one voice:

“The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’ Then the temple was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.”

God wants to invade your prayer environment with His presence and power. This will eventually spill over into your city and nation. This team ministry is God’s end-time way. He uses musicians, antiphonal singers, spoken intercession, and proclamation to bring about this unity in prayer.

  • Worship and prayer becomes dynamic.
  • Worship and prayer becomes enjoyable and not boring.
  • Worship and prayer becomes intense but without exhaustion.

And revelation takes place right in the midst of it all. Instead of a labored, grueling experience, every meeting becomes a joyous occasion. I say this because I see it happening and personally experience it myself. I have seen worshippers and intercessors come in with the burdens of the week and leave with the joy of the Lord. Some find it hard to wait until the next prayer meeting. This also enhances our own prayer times during the week.

“Harp and bowl” prayer is not a burden. It is a gift of God for the end-time Church. 

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Harmony in Song and Intercession

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18795_990250177704756_4392992996688455638_n“In the unity of faith, love, and the Spirit, the power of the name and of the presence of Jesus acts more freely, and the answer comes more surely. The evidence that there has been true, united prayer is the fruit—the answer, the receiving of the thing for which we have asked. ‘I say unto you… it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” What an extraordinary privilege united prayer (and worship) is! What a potential power it has!'” Andrew Murray

Just as there is powerful unity that God is bringing in intercession, the same is true in song. The wonderful thing about this is the fact that you and I are part of it. This harmony that is beginning is powerful as 24/7 prayer spreads from city to city and nation to nation. And within the circle of prayer that you are involved in, creating this harmony is of extreme importance. The enemy loves to bring disharmony and disunity, but the new thing that God is creating is a beautiful song of unity that will break through tremendous spiritual strongholds of the enemy.

As you attempt harmony in your own prayer room, remember that you are part of a bigger whole that will bring tremendous effect in the spirit realm all throughout the earth. And in your city in particular, you are the ones called to bring the release and freedom of the Kingdom of God into your sphere of influence. This is absolutely exciting. There is tremendous power when you prayer together in agreement. Jesus says in Matthew 18:19-20:

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

God is a musical God, and He has created us as people who function best when there is a song in our heart. Music motivates us. The greatest entertainment in the world is music, because the human spirit is musical. There is power released in song. If you question this, for some of you in mid-life, think back to the songs you heard on the radio as a teenager. If the music comes on the radio now, you know the words to the songs just as if it were yesterday.

The devil wants to rule the domain of music because he knows that there is power in it. This is why intercession combined with music and the Word is a dynamic combination and is of utmost importance at this time. When the Word of Christ dwells in our hearts richly through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, nothing will stop us from God’s purposes in our lives both individually and corporately. Music combined with words of truth move us deeply into spheres of active commitment that we would never imagine otherwise. We read in Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Our Prayer for Praying God’s Word

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11230031_994913747238399_3289985085759092424_nLord, teach us to pray your Word. Teach us to make it central in our House of Prayer. Your Word is alive and active—It’s sharper than any double-edged sword—It judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). We long to align ourselves spiritually with You and Your Word. We want to pray your Word with Your authority, and with greater faith and obedience in our lives. Lord, we want to be passionate about the things you are passionate about. We want to be students of Your Word. Teach us to pray Paul’s apostolic prayers with power and faith. Teach us to pray the hymns from the book of Revelation with reverence and awe. Teach us to pray Your Word out loud in such a way that we see mighty spiritual breakthroughs in our House of Prayer. Help us declare the prophetic promises and decrees from Your Word.

We want to experience the “zoe”, life-giving power of Your Word on a daily basis. Show us truth in Your Word, and bring it to life through our prayers. Let us be ones who have learned to pray Your Word out loud, continually experiencing life-giving, “zoe” revelation through our prayers. Thank you so much for Your Word. It is precious to us. We rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. We meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. We delight in Your decrees. We will not neglect Your Word. Open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in Your law. We run in the path of Your commands, for You have set our hearts free (Psalm 119:14-16, 18, 32). In Jesus’ name, amen.

Verses to Memorize

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:17-19a).

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Praying the Bible – Taking it into the Prayer Room

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11017668_964162400313534_4613183786382334611_nTaking it into the Prayer Room

Get together with a group and go through this assignment together. Begin by carefully studying the benefits of praying the Bible. Print out the apostolic prayers of Paul for each person. You may also want to print out all the verses and give them to each person. Give a few minutes for individuals to read them.

Then after your discussion or on another occasion, take the apostolic prayers and your Bible into the prayer room. Begin your prayer time by praying the apostolic prayers of Paul. Especially pray Ephesians 1:17-19, the verses you memorized. Pray as the Holy Spirit leads you, giving plenty of time for each one to participate. At the end discuss your impressions as you prayed. How did God speak to you?

How to Pray the Word of God

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11252727_964485193614588_8975425818702781495_nPraying the Bible Life Application

We learned about praying the Bible, praying it out loud for spiritual breakthrough, and the life-giving Word of God. We also studied about praying God’s promises, the life-giving Word of God, and the New Testament apostolic prayers of Paul. Now prayerfully do the following:

  • Study carefully the benefits of praying the Bible  – Write down any insight the Lord may give you as you study.
  • Choose two of the apostolic prayers of Paul, and pray them out loud each day this week – Choose from Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:16-19; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12; 4:2-4; Romans 10:1; 15:5-7, 13; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-12; 5:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 3:1-5; or 1 Corinthians 1:4-8.
  • Choose two of the hymns from the book of Revelations, and pray them out loud each day this week – Choose from Revelation 1:4-7; 2:7-8, 11-12, 17-18, 26-29; 3:5–7, 12, 21-22; 4:8-11; 5:8-14; 6:9-11; 7:9-17; 19:1-8; or 22:12-17, 20.
  • Choose two of the New Testament promises and decrees, and pray them out loud each day this week – Choose from Luke 3:16; 11:13; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:17-21; John 1:50-51; 14:12; or Matthew 10:1, 8.

You also may want to do the personal exercise designed to bring forth “zoe” revelation. For the other weeks during this month, choose other apostolic prayers, hymns from the book of Revelation, and New Testament promises and decrees to pray during your time with the Lord. This is an excellent assignment to help you practice praying the Word of God out loud.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC