What is a Prayer Room? Why Do We Need One?

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     Jesus said, "My house will be called a house of prayer" (Matthew 21:13). My eyes were opened to the true meaning of that verse when I visited Korea several years ago and witnessed a lifestyle of prayer that is literally foreign to us as Americans. I toured Prayer Mountain, where hundreds of Christians come to seek God in tiny "grottos." I visited churches where revival was the "norm" due to the incredible prayer force that was constantly being offered up somewhere in the building. At home, we were doing good just to get our people to pray for ten minutes on Sunday morning! I was convicted and challenged by the realization that we were really missing the boat in the area of prayer.

If God gives us a task, we must earnestly seek him with all of our heart and soul and strength before we endeavor to do it. It was never his intention for us to operate under our own power, but to receive his divine help through prayer.

A prayer room, simply put, is a place in a church set aside for prayer. Every prayer room is different—some are small; some are elaborate, and some are simple. They vary in appearance just as much as church buildings do. However, most prayer rooms do have several things in common:

1.      They offer a place that is private.
We see prayer rooms in classrooms, offices, junk rooms, storage closets, portable buildings and chapels. Any space that can be closed off from outside distractions will work fine.

2.      They are comfortable and inviting.
Prayer rooms should be a place to sit, kneel or even lay prostrate before the Lord and enjoy his presence. Comfortable chairs, carpet, tables, plants, adequate lighting, good ventilation, décor and even background music add to the prayer room experience.

3.      They are inspirational and informative.
We encourage churches to organize their prayer room into stations, displaying helpful information to guide people as they pray. For instance, one station might have a notebook with pictures of the pastoral staff and their families. Another station might have missionaries and their prayer requests, while another might be dedicated to world leaders. You will find a suggested list of stations in The Prayer Room Intercessor’s Handbook. Click the Prayer Mart button to order.

4.      They are safely accessible 24 hours a day.
Many churches install prayer rooms with an outside entrance and a combination lock. Usually the room does not give the intercessor access to the rest of the church.

5.      They are used on a sign up basis.
We advocate having people sign up for one hour a week, for three months. When they sign up they can know that their privacy will be respected.

Advantages of a Prayer Room   

1.      They make it possible to schedule prayer.

2.      They promote agreement in prayer by providing a place where information can be gathered and prayed over.

3.      They offer a place to record the deeds of God, lest we neglect to thank Him & praise Him for all he does.

4.      They make a statement to the community about the importance of prayer.

5.      They provide a place where prayer can be practiced and matured.

6.      They are inclusive - anyone can pray in a prayer room.

7.      They act as 'hearing aids' for church leadership.

8.      They provide a place where serious concerns can be soaked in prayer.

9.      They minister the presence of God to those who come.

10.  They provide a "control center" for strategic prayer evangelism, warfare & other prayer ministries.