It was an absolute gift to be partnered with Penang House of Prayer (PenHOP). If I had one word to describe this past month it would be “renewed”. Renewed physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Before we arrived, our host prayed asking God what our team needed most during our time in Malaysia. He felt the Lord was telling him we needed a time of rest. After our busy ministry schedule with youth camps in South Africa, we felt extremely blessed to have a slower paced month and the focus to be about us being filled back up so we can continue to pour out the remainder of the Race.
However, more than I wanted a month of rest, I had been desiring breakthrough in being able to sit in the presence of the Lord, growing in intimacy and hearing His voice. Clearly with my team being partnered with PenHOP, a local house of prayer, it was God’s desire and plan for me as well.
Here’s a short video of Penang House of Prayer (PenHOP) and what how we spent our time there this month in Malaysia!
Biggest Takeaway from PenHOP –> It’s time to intercede
Admittedly, in the past I haven’t done a lot of intercessory prayer, praying on behalf of others. But, I also really haven’t been taught a lot about intercessory prayer – it’s purpose, it’s importance, it’s effectiveness or how to intercede.
However that all changed after last month! PenHOP is all about worship, prayer and intercession. So, that’s what we did!
We were blessed with a couple teachings on intercession by one of the staff members, Alan.
He shared with us what it is, why it’s necessary, examples of intercessors in the bible and how God looks for intercessors who will stand in the gap before Him. (See Ezek 22:30). From the beginning, God chose to work on earth through humans. As Christians today, God still calls us to stand in the gap. To stand is the gap for the lost, family, church, government/nation, youth, marketplace, media, wars, Israel, and healing.
“Intercession is God’s brilliant strategy for including the saints (believers) in ruling with Him in power. It draws us into intimacy with God as it protects humility, transforms our heart, and unifies God’s people in community while it trains us to operate in His wisdom.”
While Alan’s teachings about intercessory prayer were great, what ultimately changed my heart and attitude towards it was the opportunity to observe and participate in intercessory prayer at PenHOP. As we prayed, interceded and sang for Malaysia, the general election, Muslims and followers of Christ, I knew something was happening in the spiritual realm even if I couldn’t see it now and in the physical realm.
We were given a list of apostolic prayers (prayers prayed by the apostles in the New Testament) that I love and have been using almost daily. In addition to using these specific prayers, I’ve also found other scriptures that I used to create an intercessory prayer for unbelievers. I put this prayer in my phone notes so that I can access it whenever and repeat it over and over for the specific people I feel God has laid on my heart to pray for.
I know intercession is going to be a big part of my life, and that time starts now.
I am extremely grateful for this newfound love for intercessory prayer as a result of being partnered with PenHOP! I believe I am better equipped going into Thailand and the rest of the Race, and I’m excited to see the spiritual fruit that is to come from my time in Penang.
