The International House of Prayer - Siloam Springs

What better way to introduce this topic than to be at IHOP-SS during one of my favorite sets (if I'm allowed to have one). I might as well come clean now. This is the 2-hour devotional set led by fellow blogger Christy Fast. I asked myself earlier today why I single this one out as my favorite. I'm checking the notes in my journal for the answer. "For the music. I think in many ways and many times I prefer the devotional style. And the intersection of quality (skill) & schedule is just right for me." Well, there you go I just copied and pasted some of my private journal onto the Internet, for the first, but maybe not the last, time ever.

(I was telling my mom (her name is Sherry) earlier this evening that I don't intend this to be my diary but some of that stuff could sneak in at times. I still fully intend to keep maintaining my private old-school spiral bound journal. I'm sure you understand.)

Enough aside for now... The International House of Prayer - Siloam Springs has played a key role in my relationship with the Lord. It has become an integral part of my testimony today. I'll go ahead and give you their link now.

http://www.ihopss.com/

The biggest chunk of the story occurred last summer (2008), sometime around June. There was a slow & steady build up to that season though. That story goes back at least 10 years if not 17. But this isn't time for all of that yet.

IHOP-SS has about 25 hours of live praise and prayer the last time I checked. It's growing that quickly. The goal is 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Sound impossible? The House of Prayer in Kansas City has been doing it for nearly 10 years. Yeah, but they're a big city you say? I'm sorry for chuckling but... Wouldn't you agree if the Lord wants to build it He can? "What about common sense?" You might ask. Then I will ask, "What about an uncommon sense?" Was it common sense that one man (and his small family) built the ark? And, without getting too weird on you, houses of prayer are alot like Noah's ark. Don't get your feathers ruffled just yet. There will be plenty of time for that later.

Who am I arguing with, by the way? Just as much myself as anyone else. These are some of the real doubts my heart has had to face. All this to say that this is the impossible and something the Lord is well acquainted with and never impressed with.

This being said, the House of Prayer (Siloam specifically) is quite and has been quite potent well before it even reached its current 25 hours a week. A couple of services totally "undid" me last year (in a good way, for the Lord). The Lord used those times to unlock or release some things for me that apparently I needed very badly. The only things we need badly are the things of God. I'm not saying the the HOP is THE secret weapon. I believe God has a varied arsenal. I was moved to tears today just listening to a couple of songs by artists I'd classify as secular who may not know the Lord. My buddy, Mike, has some even greater stories along those lines. He's right!

So back to the HOP-SS. If you live in this area and need a boost (mostly spiritually speaking) please give it serious consideration. If you are unsure and want to talk to someone about it first or go with someone I'd be honored if you would contact me. If not me, ask around. Go with a friend like I did. I will ever be thankful to God for my friend. And I'm going to name him, Ted. Brother, I give thanks for you.

- Wade Baker