This was taken from the International House of Prayer’s website.
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4/18/11 update
I see that the link below has been broken and that IHOP has pulled this information from their site. If another link can be found I will post it. Please know that this was copied word for word from their site.
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| Contemplative Prayer—–Communing with the Holy Spirit who lives within you
I. Know He Lives Inside of You
II. Pray the Scripture
The goal is to search for the Spirit of Jesus in the Word and have depth, not necessarily length, in understanding the passage. Jesus is the Word (John 1) and we want to know Him, the Truth. In Him is life; it is His Spirit who gives life. The words of Scripture are Spirit and they are life (John 6:63). The entrance of the Word gives light and life (Psalm 119:130). As the Word of God enters your heart, the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal body (Romans 8:11). Make sure you are searching for the Spirit of Jesus, not just searching for knowledge. Just pray the Scriptures. In simple terms, prayer is turning your heart toward God. In John 5:39, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You do not have His Word abiding in you … you search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” Method #1 Choose a short phrase in Scripture. Begin slowly praying the Scripture in silence. Focus your prayer toward the Spirit who lives inside you (John 7:38). Remain on the phrase as long as you feel the Lord’s presence on it. Then move with Him, slowly praying through the passage phrase by phrase. Method #2
Choose a short story in Scripture. Read through the story several times silently. Close your eyes and acknowledge the Spirit who lives in you. Use your imagination to imagine yourself as one of the story characters or as an onlooker. Play out the story in your mind applying all five of your senses. Method #3
We call this “Beholding the Spirit Within.” The goal is to search for and feel God’s presence inside you, not necessarily to gain more understanding in God’s Word as with the first two methods. Begin by gently praying a short passage of Scripture in silence while focusing on the indwelling Spirit. The Scripture is used to quiet the clamoring of your soul and draw you to God. It is the connection point, the springboard into the spiritual realm. Once you feel God’s presence, focus on it in a concentrated way. You will be able to notice His presence now; He has always been there, but now your attention is on Him within you. The outward senses are quiet and your surface thoughts are gone. You are beginning to be consumed by the Spirit. In this time, feel the freedom to stay quiet. Silently ask the Spirit to show you a vision, or slowly and silently say to Him, “I love You. I love You. I love You.” Overcoming Distractions
Your mind will have to be trained in practical ways to not wander and think on other things. To overcome a wandering mind, simply begin thinking on the Scripture you have been meditating on, and focus your prayer to the Spirit within you. The Lord sees your heart as it searches for Him, and He is smiling upon you. You may become sleepy during prayer. To overcome, sit up straight instead of slouching and do not lie down. You can also begin speaking the Scripture you are meditating on under your breath until you feel the drowsiness subside, then return to the silent prayer. Diligence in Prayer
In time these methods of praying will become easy. You will find the Spirit who lives in you if you search for Him with all your heart, but it will require time and your whole heart. Keys to Progress
Humility-the high and lofty One dwells with the lowly in heart (Isaiah 57) Disciplined life of prayer, fasting, giving and loving your enemies (Matthew 6) Total abandonment in love to Jesus and loving nothing of this life (Matthew 7:14) |
The New Age and Christianity
three techniques for changing and creating reality:
thinking, speaking, and visualizing.”
(Dave Hunt – Occult Invasion)
* * * *
“…imaging and visualization are increasingly appearing as Christian meditation, “mind-stretchers,” or a consciousness-awakening experience in Christian workshops, and you’d better believe that visualization as a cultivated exercise comes with all sorts of metaphysical and spiritual baggage in tow.”
— Visualization and Imaging, Jon Trott****
“It’s not difficult to trace the practice of meditative imaging and visualization back to the mystics.”— Visualization and Imaging, Jon Trott****Jon Trott is correct here. If anyone has started to indulge themselves into meditative practices, just ask them what books they are reading.
Christians are being duped into mysticism because a sentence has the word Jesus in it or there is a phrase of scripture.
The well-known catholic mystics are Brennan Manning, Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, and Matthew Fox. If these authors are in your library then you know that you are entering a mystical realm that will only draw you AWAY from Jesus Christ. They want you to focus on a centering prayer which will invite a feeling of divinity within yourself. This is the lie, that you are divine. You may not think that this is where they are leading you, but this is what Eve thought when the serpent suggested, that “You will be like God.” Watch out for the new charismatic coined term of DNA which actually means “Divine Nature Activated”
Contemplative prayer sounds so biblical, but it is a dangerous occult method of contacting the spirit world, which is off-limits to the Christian. Visualization is a technique that speeds up the process of reaching into another dimension to either experience visions or transport oneself.
Christian beware, the wolves are telling you that you are divine and holy. What does the Bible say?
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?”
So why should we center ourselves on our own heart looking for our divinity? We shouldn’t.
Instead…..we can have righteousness through faith….
Romans 3:21
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known to which the Law, and the prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
These phrases from the IHOP article bother me.
“Make sure you are searching for the spirit of Jesus.”
Jesus wasn’t and is not a spirit. He came to earth as fully man and fully God, but He never came as a spirit. But those who meditate using TM methods often contact a spirit guide named “Jesus”. This is deceiving spirit because Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father.
“Play out the story…apply all five senses”
This is an exercise in guided imagery. Read what Dave Hunt says about this:
“Visualization and Guided Imagery have long been recognized by sorcerers of all kinds as the most powerful and effective methodology for contacting the spirit world in order to acquire supernatural power, knowledge and healing. Such methods are neither taught or practiced in the Bible as helps to faith or prayer.” (The Seduction of Christianity)
Yet here we see it openly being taught and embraced.
“Begin by gently praying a short passage of Scripture in silence while focusing on the indwelling Spirit.”
How can you do these two things simultaneously? Actually the Scripture becomes meaningless as one focuses on something else entirely.
“The springboard into the spiritual realm.”
What is the springboard?…it is the silence, the quiet. They are trying to fool you into thinking it is the scripture, but this is not the case here. The silence is a void used in eastern meditation to stop you from thinking or concentrating. So now what spiritual realm have you just entered? You have entered a void. It is this void that allows you to enter a spiritual realm that is forbidden in the Bible. This is the realm where the white light enters, and if you know your Bible, then you know that this is Satan. He comes with joy and peace and fills you with ecstasy. If he came any other way he would be instantly rejected.
“Your surface thoughts are gone”.
The Bible never tell us to quit thinking or to empty our minds. In fact we are told the quite the opposite.
1 Peter 5:8
“Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.”
“Ask the spirit to show you a vision.”
This is exactly how those involved in TM ask to be shown their demonic spirit guides. Exactly. This is so dangerous……
The section describing how to overcome distractions is the same method chanters use when meditating. If they actually have…a thought…oh no…start the chant again to empty the mind.
Anyone who does not see the eastern mysticism in this occult prayer method…does not want to see. Even a cursory study of meditation easily shows the parallels but people aren’t listening, or they don’t care, or maybe they hate to admit they have been deceived. This pride is fateful. It is eternal. It keeps you in touch with the New-Age Jesus, (who does not exist) and separates you from the true Jesus Christ in the Bible.
“It is not an advanced spiritual state, but one that is primitive and regressive, and consequentially results in bondage to spiritistic powers.” ( Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs) Ankerberg and Weldon pg. 238
How is it that the church has fallen into such a sad state of affairs? It is simple. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not being preached anymore. Without repentance, without turning away from sin, without faith, there is no conversion.
The unconverted are hungry for God because they have no way to be sanctified. So in order to hear from God, in order to fill the void, they need to resort to false fire. Gnostic strange fire. This spiritual false fire replaces a true move of God which would cause conviction and make us fall on our faces and weep. We would weep because when the holiness of God shines His light on our sin, magnifying our true nature, it is unbearable. This in turn causes us to hate our sin, and search the Word for how live a holy life pleasing to the Lord.
When the Word of God is not enough, when it is not sufficient, the alternative is deception.
DiscernIt 
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August 4, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Bud Press
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7).
The New Age movement has slithered its way into the Christian church on the backside of Contemplative Spirituality, and can cause well-meaning but gullible Christians to walk down a primrose lane to spiritual destruction.
More on Contemplative Spirituality and the Emerging Church at
http://www.christianresearchservice.com/Contemplative.htm
God bless,
Bud
August 4, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Choco
I got the feed from Christian Research Service. It is so sad to see this anti-Scripture teaching taking over like it is. Of course, Mike Bickle, never did leave the ways of the KC Prophets; it’s always been the so-called prophets first and God’s Word–the Bible–last, if at all. Let us persevere. The Bible is God’s word. It tells us what to believe and how to live. Thanks for the post.
August 5, 2008 at 10:52 am
mbaker
“Make sure you are searching for the Spirit of Jesus, not just searching for knowledge. Just pray the Scriptures. In simple terms, prayer is turning your heart toward God. In John 5:39, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You do not have His Word abiding in you … you search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”
Here we go again, with the twisting of that scripture. People are taking it out of context and making it and either/or thing. Either we have to have Jesus or we have the scriptures, in these erroneous extremes of thinking. That was not what Jesus meant at all. He is simply pointing out that we can’t just read about Him, we have to come to Him personally in willingness to repent as the sinners we all are, to receive salvation, and find new life in Him.
That does not mean we are to become like mindless robots, and cease to seek out and apply biblical knowledge and wisdom in order to have a personal relationship with Him. Indeed, we are commanded by Christ Himself to love God with all our minds as well. He also tells us He will transform and renew our minds.
It’s interesting that in the very same paragraph these contemplative prayer folks say “pray scripture” they then say “make sure you are not just searching them for knowledge”. Does anyone else see the dichotomy in that statement? How can you know what scripture to pray, if you are not searching scripture for the right kind of knowledge of what and how God wants you to pray? Jesus gave very implicit instructions for prayer. None of them include emptying our minds and using the chanting of His name as some kind of magic charm to come into His presence.
In fact, if we do search the entire counsel of God for proper instruction on how to pray, we can soon see these instructions about contemplative prayer are actually contrary to what Jesus taught. The prayer He speaks of is both actively petitioning God on behalf of ourselves and others, and actively thanking Him for his blessings, seeking forgiveness, and praising Him for who He is. It is not meant to be a passive act. Scripture says, ASK, SEEK and KNOCK, and the door will be opened.
It seems to me the folks who push seeking personal revelation over biblical truth always begin by teaching revelation as the most important thing, then they attempt to back up their false teaching by cherry picking verses (out of context, of course) from the Bible – the very thing they warn against searching in the first place.
Doesn’t make sense to me.
August 5, 2008 at 11:54 am
mbaker
While it sounds laudable to say, “Just pray the scriptures”, that’s another one we can’t just accept as being completely biblically correct teaching either. Notice that none of the direct scriptures Jesus taught about how to pray was used in the instructions above. If we are seeking Jesus, rather than some mystical experience, wouldn’t it make more sense to give instructions on what He Himself taught on how to pray?
Here’s an exmaple of what I mean about not teaching prayer properly in the complete context of how Jesus taught it. If we are not knowledgeable of the scriptures, couldn’t we conceivably wind up praying the ones that satan said as well, or things that don’t or shouldn’t apply to us?
“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
Unless you do know the whole counsel of God regarding prayer, you could very well take that Genesis scripture where satan successfully tempted Eve as a mandate from God, rather than the words which led to the downfall of mankind. Or, you could even take literally as the MSofG folks do that now we are as gods.
August 5, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Rob
Is there any scriptural precedence for praying directly to the Holy Spirit? Just wondering.
August 5, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Kim
I believe we are to pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, who is our intercessor.
I know we are to pray while in the spirit, but i do not think we are to pray to the Holy Spirit.
August 5, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Lee
The major teachings on the Holy Spirit are found in John 14:15 to 16:16 as Jesus is telling the disciples of the coming Counselor/Comforter. Nowhere does Jesus instruct to pray TO the Holy Spirit.
August 5, 2008 at 8:40 pm
beyondgrace
Remain on the phrase as long as you feel the Lord’s presence on it. Then move with Him, slowly praying through the passage phrase by phrase.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Maybe they should pray Matthew 6:7.
Over and Over.
How weird would that be?
August 5, 2008 at 8:46 pm
beyondgrace
Rob,
Quoting Derek Prince
Let me make another statement which may surprise you. I have not found in the Scripture anywhere an example of a prayer addressed to the Holy Spirit. So far as I can understand, no one in the Scripture ever prayed to the Holy Spirit. You probably would do well to check that for yourself, but I have looked carefully and have not found one example.
You might ask, “Why so?” And I would give you this answer: It is a question of heavenly “protocol.” There is so little respect nowadays for protocol on earth that we sometimes do not realize that there is protocol in heaven. It is protocol relating to a master-servant relationship. In such a relationship, when you are dealing with a servant, you do not speak to the servant, but to the master. You ask the master to tell his servant what to do. It is wrong to directly address a servant when his master is available for you to speak to.
I believe that is heaven’s protocol. When you recognize the relationship of the Holy Spirit to God the Father and God the Son, you understand that we never give orders to the Holy Spirit. When we want the Holy Spirit to do something, we address our request to the Father or to the Son.
When I was looking through this, I found a passage in Ezekiel chapter 37 which I thought, at first, was an exception. It is part of Ezekiel’s well-known vision of the valley full of dry bones with no life in them. First of all, he prophesied and the bones came together, but they were still lifeless corpses. Then, in verses 9 and 10:
Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, 0 breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”‘” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
So, I thought that the “breath” is really a picture of the wind – or the Holy Spirit – and so Ezekiel was praying to the wind. But he was not praying. He was prophesying. And it did not come from himself. He merely passed on to the wind a command that he had received from God Himself. Therefore, as far as I have been able to discover, there is not a single example anywhere in the Scripture of praying to the Holy Spirit.
Now, I am not seeking to make a big issue out of that. On the other hand, I think it is very important as we try to discern the nature and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. You would say to me, “Well, doesn’t God hear our prayer when we pray to the Holy Spirit?” I think He does. But we are not praying in full accord with heaven’s protocol. If we really want to please the Lord and show respect for Him, we will show respect for His protocol.
http://www.geocities.com/lostorfound_2/Deception.htm
August 7, 2008 at 11:03 am
Bud Press
Concerning prayer to the Holy Spirit, here are two Scriptural passages to ponder:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:2-4).
August 8, 2008 at 1:19 pm
beyondgrace
Hey Bud,
neither “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” and “being sent out by the Holy SPirit” suggest praying to the holy spirit.
that was your point, right?
August 9, 2008 at 11:41 am
Bud Press
Hey beyondgrace:
I wasn’t trying to make a “point.” I simply provided “two Scriptural passages to ponder”.
February 16, 2010 at 2:36 pm
truthspeaker
Kim,
just fyi… IHOP removed this instruction from their web site. Too much bad press? maybe!
February 16, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Kim
They removed it huh? I am glad I have a copy on my blog.
February 16, 2010 at 4:51 pm
truthspeaker
Yes, they removed it and they are no longer selling the contemplative prayer cd series either! I also have a copy of the instructions on my blog, as do several other bloggers.
I found the mp3s for his contemplative prayer teachings and have been listening to them. Bickle makes this statement on the first tape:
His text is Eph 3….. He says that contemplative prayer is THE God ordained means to enter into Eph 3:19 fullness!
Ehp 3:19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
In other words, you can not be filled to the measure of the fullness of God UNLESS YOU PRAY CONTEMPLATIVELY!!
He also quotes from mystics like St. John of the Cross. Mike Bickle loves those monastic catholic mystics!
February 18, 2010 at 11:11 pm
IWTT
Here is a new article on IHOP… Quite interesting…
http://beyondgrace.blogspot.com/2010/02/revisionism-and-blueprint-prophecy.html
March 7, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Timothy
If you say it is wrong to pray directly to the Holy Spirit, your are denying the Holy Trinity! If you believe that God The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, then we need to pray to and worship the Holy Spirit the same as Father and Son.
Everything satan does is counterfeit of what God intended, such as alcohol is the counterfeit to the “new wine” of the Holy Ghost! – eph 5:18
I believe we can have communication with the Holy Spirit inside of us, the same as one in the occult communicates with demons.
It is by the Spirit that we can know Jesus and understand the mysteries of God.
Romans 8:9 “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, If the Spirit of God LIVES IN YOU. And If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”
Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with groans that words cannot express. 28. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
1 Cor 2:10 “But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.”
1 Cor 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he can not understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Cor 6: 19 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
Galatians 5:25 ” Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Eph 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Eph 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
2 Pet 1:21 “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
1 Thess 5:19-20 “Do not put out the Spirits fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.”
1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
March 7, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Kim
Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer which instructs us to direct our prayers to the Father.
In John 14 Jesus tells his disciples that He is going to the Father, then He says in verses 13-14:
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything my name, and I will do it.”
John 16 then deeply explores the role of the Holy Spirit of the Trinity, who comforts, empowers, convicts of sin, convinces the world of righteousness, of judgment, and teaches. He was going to show the disciple things to come which is a confirmation of the writing of the New Testament. But also there is a major teaching that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus and never Himself.
The Holy Spirit enables followers to live by truth and makes everything Jesus said come to life for us. So I too believe we are in communication with the Holy Spirit but John 16 helps define the role of the Holy Spirit. This helps us discern if we have connected with a false spirit which tends to feed the flesh instead of crucify it.
March 7, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Paul
I do not believe that there is one scripture that can be used to justify the church praying to the Holy Spirit. Actually I would suggest that He is grieved if we do so for His purpose is to take what belongs to the Father and the Son and make it known unto us. He exalts Jesus and would not wish for us to remove our focus from Christ and place it upon Himself.
August 3, 2010 at 7:23 am
Sadparent
I have a question. Back in the late, late 80’s, I did music at a meeting featuring Charles and Francis Hunter – The Happy Hunters. I clearly remember them discussing a time where Francis said she was “up in the sky, hovering above the trees”. She further went on to say that she called down to Charles and told him, “Charles, you need to come up here! This is beautiful!”..and Charles commenting that he “tried but just couldn’t get up there that time”..
I remember thinking, “She lost me. What does she mean, “come up here? Maybe I missed it and she’s talking about a dream she had.” I knew she wasn’t talking about a dream though. I guess after that, I just put it out of my mind since it wasn’t important to me – but I never forgot that.
Now it occurs to me that they were talking about Centering or Contemplative prayer – weren’t they?…
“Visualization is a technique that speeds up the process of reaching into another dimension to either experience visions or transport oneself.”
And much like the time line of Dave Hunt’s Seduction of Christianity, this has been going on in the U.S. for at least the last 30+ years.
Amazing. I didn’t understand it then – but now, it makes perfect sense.
August 3, 2010 at 7:31 am
Sadparent
One other thought: I slowly, VERY slowly, read the IHOP directions for “how to” practice this Contemplative prayer… I was struck with how often it refers to ‘the Spirit within YOU’.
It’s when I am completely humble – fully aware of the fact that my righteousness is as filthy rags – It is in those times that I have my most meaningful prayer time. I take ME completely out of the picture and it is all about Him.
I’m surprised Contemplatives can so easily disregard Him like that and simply make Him a part of the equation..
August 3, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Katie
Happy Hunters – I remember them well and saw them. They were a very strange couple saying that God will give you whatever you ask. Hey, need a new knee, He will give it. They are also into Kingdom Now theology – 7 mountain mandate.
August 3, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Katie
One more thing about contemplatives. If you check out IHOP.org and then go to the book store. There is a book called, Fire Within by Thomas Dubay. Ummm, Thomas Dubay worships Mary and is part of the society of Marians. Mike Bickle states on his website that THIS book should be a manual for IHOP. This is the blurb that goes with the book for sale!
August 3, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Kim
I took out Dave Hunt’s Seduction of Chrisitanity to read again. I always find something I missed or that makes more sense to me as time goes on.
My husband years ago dabbled in the Christian Science mind sciences not knowing the occult roots. He said he could come out of himself easy enough and hover above his body looking down. It is scary to know how easy it is to accomplish these things with practice. Sorcery…that is what it is.
And yes this would have been about 30 years ago and he has repented of this activity even though it was done in ignorance.
January 2, 2011 at 6:18 am
steve
some things will never change.All you have to do is pick a movement,any movement that sounds “right”‘ or “spiritual”,and people will jump on it!There is no longer any respect for the lord!I know of people from the church that I use to go to that jump on planes to fly halfway around the world to get touched by God,not realizing that all you have to do is close your bedroom door ,get on your knees and talk to your father in heaven,straight talk,no gibberish,long winded esoteric garbage that basically every movement today tells you you have to do!Until all this garbage came along the true christian knew what to do,none of this extra non-sense to promote a higher level of spirituality,It was you on your knees being open and honest with your father in heaven!I left a charismatic church because God showed me that what they are doing and there belief system is not what the Bible teaches.Lose your salvation,healing services,tongues of what ever languages they felt like doing,but all gibberish none as known earthly languages,tongues have stopped!!!!Turn on your t.v.,it’s everywhere,paul crouch,olsteen,dollar,hagee,the copelands,and mike bickle,you have got to be kidding me!!!!!As a born-again Christian,I am appalled at all of this filth,God Is God and these people need to read about him in the Bible,and let the Holt Spirit tell you what he is saying,people need to stop self interpetation,and just let God led them,I am saddened by the hole thing ,but encouraged that God will prevail !!!! steve
January 2, 2011 at 6:25 am
truthspeaker
Amen Steve! I couldn’t agree more!
January 2, 2011 at 7:31 am
Kim
I came back to the Lord 10 years ago after many years of straying. I was shocked at what i was seeing on “Christian” tv.
There is so much truth to the verse that people will follow the other Jesus.
2 Corinthians 11:4
“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.”
Paul was afraid the serpent was leading people astray in the form of false apostles.
January 31, 2011 at 3:52 am
steve
The thing that I find truly amazing is the fact that Jesus takes a back seat in most charismatic worship.It’s always the Holy Spirit that is the key focus in all they say and do.I have read in the Bible that the Holy Spirit was sent as a comforter,but also to convict ones heart to bring you to repentence.And that at the true moment of salvation ,he enters you and seals you into the body of Christ-the true church of Jesus.AND always points to Jesus,always directs to Christ.I think that the need for people to “feel” holy has gotten in the way of God’s teaching.All emotions come from God,but to be lead by emotions is not taught in the Bible.It’s the opposite-how the heart is a corrupt thing,and when we start to let the heart lead us instead The Bible,we can and will go astray.I have been in charismatic services where the bible was not even read out of sometimes,and the “service”was lead anywhere the Holy Spirit wanted to take it,and usally it would wind up in prophetic utterings,tongues,etc.,!How may I ask ,can you NOT read out of the BIBLE at Church!God ,Jesus,and the Bible always take the Back seat at charismatic services,and that is your first indication ,I think that people are going on the wrong path.The charismatic movement,and the people involved in it NEED all our prayers so God Himself can show them and lead them back to his Beloved son ,and our Saviour Jesus Christ. My God bless all true believers with the truth of him,and the correct teachings of the Bible,and let the true Holy Spirit lead them on the right path….In Christ…….steve
July 29, 2011 at 2:48 pm
IHOP promotes Contemplative Mystics « DiscernIt
[…] find HERE. Kim Olsen of Discernit has reproduced IHOP’s promotion of contemplative prayer HERE. Perhaps it is not surprising that these have vanished from the web but can still be […]
August 8, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Stephen Rigg
I do not know who Mike Bickle is, and I have just now heard of IHOP-KC (I’m guessing they don’t make pancakes). I read the article above about meditation and prayer. Some of the phraseology is a little eccentric, but I do not see a huge problem with it. I did not read it like they were suggesting that the reader focus on anything other than Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I think it would do most of us good to spend a little more time in prayer and meditation and the Word. I know I need to. It appears to me that Jesus, in the gospels, spent quite a bit of time in prayer and meditation. I suppose by the standards you are “judging” this article by you might possibly call King David a bit “new agey” as well for speaking about meditation and groaning and his spirit growing faint: Psalm 77:3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
What exactly did the article say that was so wrong? 1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
Why should we not spend time communing with the Spirit who is in us? What is wrong with praying for visions? Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
I have no doubt that there will be false teachers arise in the end times. I know there are several quite active now, teaching that the Bible is never literal, leaving it up to the reader to interpret what it means to them. However, to the other extreme, I also know that there are many people making judgements about others that I’m not sure they should be making. I’m not sure their motives are always pure. Some of them have national ministries and on-line radio/tv programs and websites that they are themselves promoting, they gain more recognition by taking on other “big named individuals”. Running around calling everyone false teachers and new agers.
No one is perfect. Sometimes people are deceived or wrong about things they believe or do. The scripture is full of imperfect humans whom were used in mighty ways by God. It is not our place to be judge and jury. It is good for us to discern and to warn others that someone may be wrong or misled. However, be careful when pulling that speck of dust out of someone’s eye, that you don’t trip over the plank sticking out of yours.
August 9, 2011 at 7:26 am
Kim
If this is your first introduction to new age meditation then I invite you to do more research. The International House of Prayer which is involved with the New Apostolic Reformation which in turn is deeply involved in mysticism, five-fold ministries and dominionism.
King David deeply loved the Word of God and meditated on it day and night…I think we can agree that this means to learn about it, think about it, apply it to our lives…. and not repeatedly say a word or phrase over and over till we empty our minds, which is new age meditation.
We cannot judge anothers salvation, but as Christians we are called to make many judgments. The verse you quote changes a bit when taken in full context. The passage means that we are not to judge in hypocrisy. In the following verses in Matthew 7 then we are told not to give which is holy to dogs, to beware of the false prophets and determine them by their fruits. Verse 22 sounds like the group we speak of. But Jesus say he does not know them. They work iniquity.
Jesus exposed the false teachings of the Pharisees. He didn’t just say they were mistaken. He called them a brood of vipers.
I welcome your comments though. I have to always pray that my motives are pure and that I do not elevate myself or have any spiritual pride. I realize that I am poor in spirit and dust.
I like to heed Paul when he was speaking to the Bereans. That he welcomed examination. But the second part of application here is that we need to test all teachings against scripture to see if they are true. This is make us discerning with the help of the Holy Spirit.
There are many new links and information regarding IHOP and the NAR since Gov. Rick Perry has unfortunately aligned himself with them.
There are many links to access
Here is one
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=7372
August 25, 2011 at 10:13 pm
iwanthetruth
@Stephen…
This is one of the best sites I know that tells it like it is,,, read it, you’ll discover why so many are concerned…
http://beyondgrace.blogspot.com/
September 12, 2011 at 4:43 am
Craig
For those interested in the historical background of Mike Bickle’s International House of Prayer, I have a new post on Kansas City Fellowship/Metro Vineyard Fellowship on Bob Jones, Paul Cain and John Wimber. I’m in possession of a “Spring Catalog ’90” with an accompanying ‘discontinued’ list of tapes/video most likely pulled in response to Ernie Gruen’s 233 page “Documentation of Aberrant Practices and Teachings of Kansas City Fellowship (Grace Ministries)” in which are quotes from tapes and teaching materials from KCF.
I’ve listed the full contents of the catalog with descriptions along with a request for these tapes for further research. Any help in this endeavor will be appreciated!
I was not aware that Leonard Ravenhill had attended conferences with the so-called Kansas City Prophets, Bickle, Rick Joyner, Francis Frangipane, etc.
The post mentions Bickle’s approval of both Cain and Jones — who’ve both taught and still teach Manifested Sons of God doctrine (MSoG) — as evidence of a free mp3 download on the IHOP site referring to them as “spiritual fathers”:
“The two men that have been my spiritual fathers in different ways and at different times — Bob Jones and Paul Cain. When I look over my 30 years plus of walking with the Lord those two men are significantly, clearly I would have to call my spiritual fathers through all these years.”
November 1, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Jan Slater
To Stephen Rigg: Thank you for an objective and non-judgmental response! I can’t say I can totally be objective as the International House of Prayer has brought much grace into my life. I am a Michigander who attended two three month internships there with my husband (we are in our fifties) in the summers of 2008 and 2009 and our son went to Bible school there in 2004-2006. We have been blessed with IHOP’s main themes of prayer and intimacy with the Lord and end-times teachings. Neither of which we were getting in our non-denominational church of 30+ years, though at the start of our church there was more of this. I too, have been very concerned about the emergent church, it’s denial of sin, that there is no hell, and inclusion of many different religions as ways to heaven. I have been researching diligently on this for 9 months and have tried to be open to researching things on IHOP as well, as I see the kind of criticism on this blog. Which is why I clicked on this link. I do not see that IHOP is part of the emergent church. I personally have heard Mike Bickle say many times, that you don’t empty your mind, that this could invite evil spirits, but you mediate on scripture and Jesus’/God’s attributes, etc. And yes, you listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. They definitely teach that we are sinners, and can only approach the Father through Jesus and His atonement for us. These people fast, and give and study the Word and love Jesus, like no other group I have ever met. I am someone who loves the genuine touch of the Lord. I despise spiritual dishonesty and “fleshiness”, and certainly I saw some of that at IHOP, which is a very large community with many visitors. I believe Mike Bickle, understands that we can’t clamp down on the working of the Holy Spirit, to try to eliminate this type of “fleshiness”, which I see in all groups of Christian’s, regardless of denomination, because we are human. Mike is one of the most humble men I know, and he encourages us to be Berean’s also, not to take his word for it, and to challenge him if we see something different in scripture. The enemy of our souls is out to counterfeit all that God has for us, to discredit the real and to pull people into the false and ultimately into living godless lives and worshipping him. I appreciate the diligence of those who look out for the flock, but I think they are wrong with regards to IHOP, even though it is imperfect as any group of believers are. And to set another rumor straight…Mike Bickle never said Oprah was the antichrist or an antichrist. I was there. He said he believed she was possibly one of the forerunners of the antichrist, which rings true with my me as well. And lastly, I realize that we need to be careful not to lump all churches that might use a label of “emerging” into one catagory, but should be cautious and judge them on their beliefs and adherance to scripture. Thank you to those who were open enough to read through my response to the end! May God richly bless you as you seek His heart!
November 1, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Craig
Jan Slater,
How about this:
There is much misconception these days as to what meditation really is, and there is a great deal of so-called meditation which has been truly described by a person not so long ago as “I shut my eyes, and open my mouth, and wait for something to happen.” The true meditation is something that requires the most intense application of the mind, the utmost control of thought, and an attitude which is neither negative nor positive, but an equal balance between the two.
Does that bolded portion sound right to you? Well, that’s from Alice Bailey, a ‘forerunner’ to New Age from 1919.
She goes on, …the most unlimited powers are attained, marvels and miracles are worked, the highest spiritual knowledge is acquired, and union wiht the great Spirit of the universe is eventually attained…..
November 1, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Kim
Hi Jan, nice to meet you.
To my knowledge IHOP has never been classified as emergent but there are other issues.
Do you like and agree with the Kingdom Now end-time theology? What have you discovered when comparing this teaching against scripture? Where can you find in the Bible that the world has be Christianized before Jesus can return? How does this fit in with the narrow path and that only a few will find it verse in Matthew?
And what about the false prophecies? Does IHOP still support Bob Jones and his false and weird visions? Deuteromony says we are not to listen to them. They do not speak for the Lord if they do not come true.
I once saw the library of one of the youth leaders and they consisted of teachings from the Catholic mystics who promote…well…mysticism.
We know that Jesus loves us but what does Jesus say about how we are love HIm? We find that in John 14 we are told that “if you love me you will obey what I command.” He says this three times in this chapter. Obedience to His Word is key. And in John 15 He speaks of true joy. Again it has to do with obedience to what is in the Bible and this is what make our joy complete.
Thank you for your time to comment.
November 1, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Craig
Kim,
In the most recent CrossWise post In Exonerating Paul Cain Is the ‘Aberrant Practices’ Document Invalidated I reference audio which is still available at IHOP proclaiming both Bob Jones and Paul Cain as “spiritual fathers” [at footnote 10]:
[audio src="http://ihopcontent.ihop.org/ihopcntnt/endis/FreeMP3s/Encountering_Jesus_D1.mp3" /]
18:45 – 19:35
The article also debunks the “drought prophecy” which purportedly legitimized the whole KCF ‘movement.’
November 2, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Jan Slater
Kim, you asked, “Do you like and agree with the Kingdom Now end-time theology?” The answer is “No!” and my other answer in response to this is that I saw none of the Dominion or Kingdom Now theology taught at IHOP, and their teachings are biblical and run counter to this type of teaching. I didn’t know of them back in the 80’s or 90’s. Do you really know what they teach currently? Mike Bickle teaches a literal rapture, but believes it will be post tribulation, which I do as well. We also believe that Revelation should be taken literally, accept when it says specifically that something is symbolic. Only the return of Jesus can bring a real righteousness to the earth! There will be both a great falling away and a harvest at the end of the age, and I believe we are getting close. This is all I have time for tonight. Bye!
November 2, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Kim
Well that is good that you do not believe in Kingdom now theology which teaches:
“Kingdom Now proponents believe that God lost control over the world to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. Since then, the theology goes, God has been trying to reestablish control over the world by seeking a special group of believers—known variously as “covenant people,” “overcomers,” or “Joel’s army”—and that through these people, social institutions (including governments and laws) would be brought under God’s authority. The belief is that, since believers are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit that indwelt Jesus, we have all authority in heaven and on the earth; we have the power to believe for and speak into existence things that are not, and thus we can bring about the Kingdom Age.”
full article
http://www.gotquestions.org/kingdom-now.html
So there are not any of the above teachings at IHOP?
I
November 2, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Kim
Other unbiblical teachings described in the above article.
“Prior to the second coming, overcomers must purge the earth of all evil influences. Kingdom Now claims that Jesus cannot return until all His enemies have been put under the feet of the church (including death, presumably).
“Kingdom Now theology sees the second coming of Jesus in two stages: first through the flesh of the believers (and in particular the flesh of today’s apostles and prophets), and then in person to take over the kingdom handed to Him by those who have been victorious (the “overcomers”).
“The idea that the church has replaced Israel and that the fulfillment of the prophecies to Israel pertain to the church is known as Replacement theology, and it is unbiblical.
“Finally, the second coming of Christ will be when He, not men, defeats His enemies and puts all things under His feet. The description of the second coming in Revelation 19 is the description of a mighty warrior who comes to put all things to right, not of one who comes to an earth already cleaned up and ready for Him to rule.
From another article.
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue107.htm
“Bickle claims that the church will not only go through the Great Tribulation, but the church will cause it:”
‘We’re not absent for the great tribulation, now listen carefully, the church causes the great tribulation. What I mean by that – it’s the church, it’s the praying church under Jesus’ leadership that’s loosing the judgment in the great tribulation in the way that Moses stretched forth his rod and prayed and loosed the judgments upon Pharaoh. The church in the tribulation is in the position that Moses was before Pharaoh but it won’t be a Pharaoh and Egypt, it’ll be the great end time Pharaoh called the antichrist and the book of Revelation is a book about the judgments of God on the antichrist loosed by the praying church.” (Mike Bickle)
Bickle also claims a large revival but:
The Bible simply does not teach this revival. The Bible teaches that there will be people coming to faith during the Tribulation, but most of them are martyred7. The idea of the revival Bickle describes is a Latter Rain teaching that came from allegorizing some Old Testament passages about the agricultural seasons in Israel. Bickle repeatedly refers to this non-existent revival and makes it the centerpiece of his allegorization of the parable of the virgins. (CIC)
November 2, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Stephen Rigg
We have been given glimpses of end time events. Jesus gave us some glimpses of end time events. I do not believe that anyone can say with 100% authority exactly how the end time is going to unfold, except for Jesus, whom has been given all authority. It does not matter to me how it unfolds. I hope that I am alive for it, no matter when the Lord returns or when I am “raptured” out, I am willing to go through whatever comes my way. I look forward to being with Jesus.
There seems to be a lot of information being discussed on speculation and hearsay about Mike Bickle and IHOP. I have been watching some of the live worship and prayer sessions on the web, it is pretty cool, there are some people there that appear to really love the Lord, and some really talented people.
I love the idea of 24/7 worship and prayer, I wished I lived closer to KC so I could be a part of it. I wish there was somewhere close to me where I could go anytime of the day or night and worship with, pray with and fellowship with other people.
It seems to me there is a lot of good coming out of IHOP, have any of you watched the free live streaming prayer and worship?
I hope that anyone who is putting out information about Mike Bickle has gone to talk to him and ask him if he believes these things? That is the first thing I would do before I started tearing someone down on the internet and claiming that they are a false prophet or false teacher or an anti-Christ or something. If you’re quoting from Mike’s books or something that has come directly from him, that is one thing as long as it is in its full context, but it seems like I keep seeing a lot of “this website says this, and this person says that…”
If people are able to be misled so easily it is mostly their own fault. Everyone has the same access to the Word of God, everyone has the same access to Jesus, if they do not spend time studying the Word and in fellowship with Jesus, then it is on them if they are blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Yes, sometimes men of the Lord go astray, its been happening since the beginning of creation. However, we are to love everyone no matter what, friend or enemy. If a spiritual leader is going astray, hopefully someone will correct them or bring them back in line, and not just talk about them behind their back. At the very least, pray for them.
John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Yes, Lord, please make us one, tear down division and strife and expose any false teaching or doctrine or anything that would lead people astray.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
November 3, 2011 at 4:04 am
Craig
Stephen Rigg,
You wrote, “I hope that anyone who is putting out information about Mike Bickle has gone to talk to him and ask him if he believes these things?”
There’s no point in asking when he actually states these sorts of things multiple times in his teachings – written and in audio/video. And, yes, I’ve watched the live streaming. And, I’ve listened to hours and read many of Bickle’s teachings of which I plan on writing articles of my own in the future.
This isn’t a matter of “tearing down;” it’s a matter of standing up for the truth. Just watch a Mormon or a JW and see if they do not “appear to really love the Lord.” Yet, these folks are clearly in deception.
You admitted earlier that you are not very familiar with IHOP’s teachings. I suggest you really look into these teachings before you make any sort of statement pro, con or mediated.
November 3, 2011 at 8:21 am
Kim
The comments on Craig’s article are very informative as people share their personal testimonies and experiences.
Stephen you wanted some quotes:
Mike Bickle’s finally addresses manifestations issue at IHOP
Mike Bickle gives perspective on the manifestations of the Spirit at IHOP-KC.
http://mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3131?return_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmikebickle.org%2Fresources%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsearch_terms%3Dmanifestations%26x%3D0%26y%3D0
Some key quotations.
“I will allow the fake because I so believe in the genuine.”
“Most of it’s fake. Majority of the manifestations are not caused by the holy spirit.”
November 3, 2011 at 8:49 am
Kim
Many of us like myself were once deceived by those teaching another Jesus and/or enticed by another spirit.
Matthew 6 teaches us some important aspects about prayer. There were those who like to be seen, standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Also when you pray do not keep on babbling like pagans because of their many words. Do not be like them. If you fast, do not let anyone know you are doing so that it will not be obvious to men.
I despair of those caught up in ministries that promote manifestions of the flesh. Unfortunately I know how empowering and sensual they can be. The false spirit comes as an angel light not darkness to deceive and one can even be filled with extreme joy at first. But bondage eventually occurs.
But the Holy Spirit sends warnings, red flags, doubts, to lead one out of deception if one is truly wanting to seek the Lord on His terms. To ignore these warnings may be the true reason we hear so often, “Do not quench the Holy Spirit” from false ministries.
I thank the Lord for those who loved me and others enough to speak the truth.
November 3, 2011 at 10:05 am
Stephen Rigg
Mark 9:38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
I have been in services where “manifestations” were happening. I always believed most of it was contrived, however, who am I to judge what someone else does or needs. If someone is being prayed for, has someone pushing on their forehead, has people behind them ready to catch them so they fall down and lay there for a little bit, who are they hurting? For the most part, any “church” I have gone to where this has happened, it was not the norm, it did not happen all of the time. However, the people were genuinely seeking the Lord, and Jesus and the Gospel were preached. The important thing is that they are seeking the Lord, and giving the glory to Him and that Jesus is exalted. I was at a Bible Study just last night, after a time of worship, we were praying for each other and ministering to each other, a couple of people got weak-kneed, but where caught before they fell. Would they have done that if no one was standing behind them, probably not, but what does it matter? I was one of several laying hands on them and praying for them, does it make my prayer for them less effective?
Thank you for sharing the post from Mike Bickle, I watched it, and I think he was very honest. I do not have a problem with what he said. I believe a lot of the “manifestations” are contrived, but that is between the individual and God. God knows our hearts.
I will continue to watch the 24/7 streaming prayer and worship when I am wanting to worship with other people and none are available around me.
I realize that for saying that, that you may lump me with those who are imperfect, but that is me. I just do the best I can. God knows my heart. Jesus died for me because I am a wretched sinner, but I have been washed in His blood, I have been reconciled to God, I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. I may not do everything perfectly, but it is not counted against me.
I do not know exactly what happened in the room when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, do you? I know what Acts 2 says about it, that they began to speak in other tongues and each person heard their own language being spoken. I know that some people who were gathered around made fun of them and said, “they have had too much wine.” Whatever it looked like, it caused the people mocking them to joke that they were drunk.
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Lord, I pray that you will continue to pour out your Spirit, Lord I pray that I will see visions and/or prophesy, more importantly, I pray that you will use me to lead many to you Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
November 3, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Stephen Rigg
I did just read the testimonies of the girl who attended IHOP and the person that was a leader at IHOP for 8 years.
I am sorry to hear about their experiences. It does sound like there are deeper issues than what someone sees who is just on the outside looking in, like me watching the prayer and worship on the computer.
It is not my intention at all to sow discord among believers, I want Christ to be first in everything. If they are a “cult” I would certainly not direct anyone there. Does everyone experience the same thing those 2 did? Does anything good come out of IHOP?
Again, I LOVE the idea of 24/7 worship and prayer with other people and I do wish that was happening around here, I guess someday I will have the opportunity to do that for eternity.
November 3, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Stephen Rigg
I found this short video of this cute couple on YouTube who had some concerns about IHOP.
I like how they handle it. They posted a link as well to that Aberrant Practices Document by Ernest Gruen. I am not invested enough in IHOP to care enough to read that document. I would much rather read the Word and focus on Jesus rather than Mike Bickle, but I like how the couple said what they did, and how they voiced their concerns.
Kim, thank you for allowing me to jump in here an be apart of this discussion. I am confident that the Lord has some purpose for me being involved in this and being made aware of the concerns about IHOP.
I still get hungry for pancakes every time I think about this discussion.
November 3, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Kim
Stephen,
I am glad you took the time to look at different comments and articles. Some of us have been watching IHOP for a long time and are worried about the young people there. When someone comes in for the first time and reads somethings negative about a ministry, the first reaction often is that we are being hateful or divisive.
There are problems with many churches all across the denominations. Satan is on overtime because I believe that there is not much time left. How much time? No idea.
Blessings to you.
kim
November 8, 2011 at 10:32 pm
IHOP’s dangerous, heretical teachings entering EFC-ER via MUHOP « Christians United Against Apostasy
[…] IHOP openly promotes contemplative prayer/visualization (08/04/08) […]
March 22, 2012 at 11:03 pm
When ‘prayer’ is IDOLATRY « Ian Vincent
[…] https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/ihop-openly-promotes-contemplative-prayervisualization/ […]
April 28, 2012 at 10:28 pm
CRS Points to Ponder – Patricia King, Melissa Fisher, Todd Bentley, IHOP, Caleb Brundidge | Christian Research Service
[…] folks over at the DiscernIt blog are exposing the International House of Prophets (IHOP) for their open promotion of Contemplative […]
November 8, 2012 at 9:43 am
IHOP-KC “partners” with Catholics for Onething Christian Conference (2012) « DiscernIt
[…] https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/ihop-openly-promotes-contemplative-prayervisualization/ […]
November 16, 2012 at 4:59 pm
gracetruthblog
I did not know at the time that I was involved in this New Age influenced practice. My pastor at the time grew up Catholic, then became an atheist, then a born again Believer. I sincerely think he is a Believer but has taped into some misguided beliefs. I remember when I was first introduced to this sort of prayer. I tried it and tried it and always seemed to feel a little wierd about it. But after all this was a solid Church (mega) and it was being taught in a class by solid Believers who I still love today. My concern in hindsight is that there is encouragement to the Believer to lie about their experiences by reframing it or creating their own new vision of things. The Father of lies is Satan. Why are we encouraging Believers to lie (“reframe”) their experiences to be healed, etc? I can’t have any part of that and am very concerned Church leadership uses these practices in their congregations. This is not the True gospel. I know New Age somewhat as I spent about 7 years involved in eastern wellness. It seems innocent and pure, but you are being deceived and drawn away from our Father.
This is my commentary on this practice & others that are being looked at by discerning Believers.
http://gracetruthfaithjourney.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/the-whole-truth-nothing-but-the-truth-so-help-me-god-discernment/
January 2, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Stick With the Pancakes | Thoughts While Walking
[…] Copy and Paste from IHOP on Contemplative Prayer/Visualization […]
October 7, 2013 at 7:07 pm
No Compromise
I found your blog by researching, does Mike Bickle teach visualization. I like your blog and you might like mine. Here is a link http://vrscuteri.com/ My blog is entitled No Compromise. I wrote a short story you might like called “The Land of No Compromise”. It’s on the blog. I am going to reblog this page. Thanks for your work. I’ll check out your other posts when I get time. God bless, Kathleen.
October 7, 2013 at 7:08 pm
No Compromise
Reblogged this on No Compromise.
November 2, 2014 at 9:23 pm
stannj51
Danger Danger Will Robinson – False spirits’ message coming from IHOP. Avoid at all costs!
August 30, 2015 at 7:01 am
REFORMED PASTOR, FRANCIS CHAN, TO SPEAK AT IHOP CULT – AGAIN! | Exposing Modern Mugwumps
[…] Even after receiving a lot of flak for speaking at the 2013 event, Chan once again failed to do a background check on IHOP. Either that or he checked it out and has no problem with IHOP’s affiliation with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) aka Dominionism and Bickle’s affinity for unbiblical contemplative/centering prayer. […]
November 28, 2018 at 10:24 am
thewordlikefire
Reblogged this on The Word Like Fire.