The Testimony of LOVE

Wow, where do I begin? God has been...truly leaving me speechless these past few weeks. He has filled my heart with laughter and my eyes with tears for being so completely overwhelmed by His presence, and when I think He's done...He laughs and comes right back for more explosions of utter awesomeness.

To begin with, He recently fulfilled a prophecy received by Matthew and Sherrie Moore, the directors and founders of RIHOP. A while back, a man virtually unconnected with this house spoke a word to Matthew and Sherrie that there would be a "battle of the Moores" in Shockoe Bottom, the location of our House of Prayer. He prophesied that whichever house "won" would essentially inherit the land in this little corner of downtown Richmond.

...divided by the railroad tracks on main street sits a House of Prayer just several blocks from an establishment called Velvet Gentlemen's Club...owned by a man also bearing the surname "Moore."

Even before I joined the family of "RIHOPians" as Sherrie affectionately calls us, this matter was lifted up to Heaven daily. I have had the privilege of also becoming a part of this new legacy thru praying my Father's love over the situation over this past month.

All came to fruition about 2 weeks ago when we received word that Velvet had lost its liquor license, and the owner was deciding to SHUT DOWN the club! God fulfilled the prophecy He had spoken and was faithful to our prayers because we remained faithful to Him, even when it appeared that nothing was happening.

---note: now that the club has closed, there are men and women we need to keep pleading Jesus' blood over. Our prayer focus has shifted to provision for the women who have lost jobs, and a true ENCOUNTER with the LOVE of the Father, that they will not seek employment in the same line of work. We are praying restoration of brokenness and a revelation of worthiness to our Father. Also over the men who frequented Velvet, we pray repentance and healing.---

...CONTINUING with the testimonies!...

This Monday, a man walked into RIHOP looking for my dear friend, Leslie Brotherton. Leslie is an amazingly anointed evangelist...this girl can't go 10 feet down the street without telling SOMEONE about Jesus!

For privacy's sake, I will call this man Geico (inspired by the water bottle I'm looking at so graciously given to me by the provider of my car insurance :) ). Leslie had met Geico about 3 weeks ago after being told by God to go outside of RIHOP to move her car. They have since talked only a handful of times, but every time Leslie has reported more and more hunger for the knowledge of God. Monday, he walked thru the doors of RIHOP a man searching but lost. He left that afternoon as my new BROTHER IN CHRIST after Leslie had the privilege of leading him in the salvation prayer and giving him a Bible.

...don't stop now...there's MORE!!...

This Tuesday, three people who heard of RIHOP at the Awaken the Dawn (ATD) conference we attended in Fredericksburg last week, came in asking for prayer. The 6 of us from RIHOP who were here at the time had the INCREDIBLE privilege of conducting a time of personal prayer and prophecy ministry over these three. This is my favorite type of ministry, probably because this is where God has anointed me so heavily over the past several months. During my time at ATD, God told me (during a time of receiving prophecy) that He would soon begin to use me in the same type of ministry at RIHOP...I just had no idea it would begin so SOON!

It was the most beautiful thing to see planted at my Father's house here in Shockoe, and I believe this is the very beginning of God's work thru personal prophetic ministry, which He has called me out in.

...more STILL!!...

Today during Noonday Prayer Circle (every weekday from noon to one...come on by and pray with us!!) God led us to pray for the awakening in the African American community of Richmond, particularly the men. He has a VERY special and specific purpose for this group of people and the enemy is waging war heavily. God dropped the bomb into our laps and asked us to pray His heart into it. We began asking Him for inroads into this community...and what do you know, it's just like Him to PROVIDE!! As soon as we finished some of the most explosive prayer I've experienced in the Prayer Circle, an African American pastor (with whom Sherrie is acquainted) walked in the door. He told us he had no idea why he came in and was actually supposed to be somewhere else...haha, well God has His OWN plan of where we're SUPPOSED to be...

As we prayed for Him God began confirming visions and direction to this pastor and imparting and equipping him with faith. After we prayed, he shared with us that a year and a half ago he began a church called Beautiful Temple on 9 mile road. God has recently revived his heart and the hearts of the congregation to the essentiality of PRAYER in EVERY ministry....so where was he led today?? The House of Prayer. You're hilarious and amazing, God.

Next Friday afternoon, we are sending a team to pray and prophesy over his church. God, You are SO good.

In just three weeks, God has completely erupted into this House. We have asked Him to come and dwell...He has done so. We have asked Him to bring us the poor and needy, the sick and suffering, the lonely and broken...He has brought them RIGHT THRU OUR DOORS. We have asked Him for His prophets and He has delivered.

Jesus said, "You did not chose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go a bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you." (John 15:16)

Oh Father, consume us with zeal for Your house.