24/7 prayer history

Here is some history of 24-7 Prayer.  I compiled much from the Wikipedia online encyclopedia.  I will be adding much more as my studies continue.

The Tabernacle of David
Alexander Akimites and the Sleepless Ones
Agaunum
Comgall and Bangor
Cluny
Zinzendorf and the Moravians
International House of Prayer
24-7Prayer.com
Etc.

The Tabernacle of David

King David was a man of “One Thing” (Ps 27:4). Around 1000 BC, he commanded that the Ark of the Covenant be brought up on the shoulders of the Levites, to the sound of songs and musical instruments to his new capital – Jerusalem. There he had it placed in a tent and appointed 288 prophetic singers and 4000 musicians to minister before the Lord, “to make petition, to give thanks and to praise the Lord” day and night. This was unlike anything that had been done in Israel’s history, but it was God’s plan for Israel.

The Davidic Order of Worship

Although the Tabernacle was replaced by a Temple, the Davidic order of worship was embraced and re-instituted by seven subsequent leaders in the history of Israel and Judah. Each time this order of worship was re-instituted, spiritual breakthrough, deliverance and military victory followed.

* Solomon instructed that worship in the Temple should be in accordance with the Davidic Order (2 Chronicles 8: 14-15)
* Jehoshaphat defeats Moab and Ammon by setting singers up in accordance with Davidic Order – Singers at front of Army singing the Great Hallel. Jehoshaphat reinstitutes Davidic Worship in Temple (2 Chronicles 20:20-22 & 28)
* Joash – 2 Chronicles 23-24
* Hezekiah cleansed, re-consecrated and re-instituted Davidic Order of worship in the temple (2 Chronicles 29, 30:21)
* Josiah re-instituted Davidic worship (2 Chronicles 35)
* Ezra and Nehemiah – Return from Babylon – re-instituted Davidic Worship (Ezra 3:10, Nehemiah 12: 28-47)

Historians have also speculated that around the time of Jesus, in their search to find communion with God, the Essenes of the Judean wilderness re-instituted the Davidic order of worship as part of their life of prayer.

The Early Monastic Tradition of 24-7 Prayer

For over one thousand years monasticism (the practice of taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to one’s spiritual superior) held a key role in the development of theology and practice in the church. From the fourth and fifth century, monks and nuns were an accepted part of society. Monasticism was the cradle in which ‘perpetual prayer’ or Laus Perennis was birthed (in the church age). Some of the key figures from this tradition are:

Alexander Akimites and the Sleepless Ones

Born in Asia Minor and educated in Constantinople, Alexander became an officer in the Roman army. Challenged by Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler from Matthew 19:21, Akimites sold his possessions and retreated from court life to the desert. Tradition states that after seven years of solitude, he set fire to a pagan temple. Upon arrest and imprisonment Alexander converted the prison governor and his household, and promptly returned to his abode in the desert. Shortly thereafter he had the misfortune to fall in with a group of robbers. His evangelistic zeal however could not be contained and he converted these outcasts into devoted followers of Jesus. This group became the core of his band of monks.

In around 400 AD, he returned to Constantinople with 300-400 monks, where he established laus perennis (perpetual praise) to fulfill Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5: 17. Driven from Constantinople, the monks established the monastery at Gormon, at the mouth of the Black Sea. This became the founding monastery of the order of the Acoemetae (literally “the sleepless ones”). Alexander died here in 430 however the influence of the Acoemetae continued. The houses were divided into six choirs and rotated the choirs throughout the day, each new choir relieving the one before, continuing uninterrupted twenty-four hours a day.

John, the second abbot of the Acoemetae, founded another monastery on the eastern shore of the Bosphorus, referred to in many ancient documents as the “great monastery” and motherhouse of the Acoemetae. The library here was recognized for its greatness throughout the Byzantine Empire and indeed was consulted by several popes. The third abbot established a monastery in the capital under the royal consul Studius, who dedicated the new monastery to John the Baptist. Studion became a renowned center of learning and piety and the most important monastery in Constantinople. Studion continued until 1453 when the Turks captured Constantinople.

The lasting impact of the Acoematae has been their worship and their contribution to church liturgy. The monasteries, which numbered into the hundreds and sometimes thousands, were organized into national groups of Latins, Greeks, Syrians and Egyptians and then into choirs. In addition to Laus Perennis, which passed into the western church with St Maurice of Agaune, they developed the divine office of the literal carrying out of Ps 119: 164, “Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.” This became an integral part of the Benedictine rule of the seven hours of prayer – prime, tierce, sext, none, vespers, compline, matins and lauds.

Agaunum

In around 522 Abbot Ambrosius brought attention to a small monastery founded in Switzerland. Legend had it that around 286 AD, a Theban Legion under the command of a certain Maurice de Valois was sent to suppress a rebellion by Gauls in the North of the empire. On their way to Gaul, the Coptic Christians were encamped at Agaunum, in present day Switzerland, where they were ordered to sacrifice to Roman Gods and to the Emperor in petition for victory. Maurice and his Theban Legion refused. The Roman Emperor Maximian ordered a “decimation” of the legion of 7000; one in every ten men were killed. When Maurice and his men continued their refusal, a second decimation was ordered. Finally the entire seven thousand Egyptian Christians were martyred.

Although the veracity of the story has been called into question, the legend of the martyrs at Agaunum spread far and wide. Between 515 and 521, Sigismund, King of Burgundy, lavishly endowed the monastery established at the site of the martyrdom to ensure its success. In 522, the abbot at St Maurice’s instituted the Laus Perennis or “perpetual psalmody” after the tradition of the Acoemetae. Choirs of monks would sing in rotation, with one choir relieving the previous choir, thus to continue day and night. This practice went on until around 900AD, impacting monasteries all over France and Switzerland.

Comgall and Bangor

The most celebrated of all medieval maps, the “Mappa Mundi” contains reference to a place on the edge of the known world – Bangor. Why should this small out of the way place, now a dormitory coastal town fifteen miles from the Northern Irish capital of Belfast, have become so important in medieval times?

St Patrick and Vallis Angelorum

Monasticism in Britain and Ireland developed along similar lines to those of the Desert Fathers of the East. St Patrick’s mother was a close relative of Martin of Tours, a contemporary of St Antony, the father of Monasticism. It is no surprise that the same type of asceticism which accompanied the monastic lifestyle in Egypt was also found in Ireland.

In 433AD, just as the Roman Empire was starting to crumble, St Patrick returned to Ireland (after having previously been enslaved on the island) with a view to preach the Christian message to the Irish. He was followed by a number of other ascetics – Finnian, Bridgid and Ciaran, all of whom established monastic centers throughout the island. Christianity in much of the empire had been founded upon Bishops overlooking cities and urban centers, Ireland had never been conquered and had no urban centers. The fall of the empire therefore had little impact on it and it was relatively easy for monasteries to become the centers of influence in Irish society.

According to the 12th century Anglo Norman Monk Jocelin, on one of Patrick’s many journeys, he came to rest in a valley on the shores of the Belfast Lough. Here he and his comrades beheld a vision of heaven. Jocelin states “they held the valley filled with heavenly light, and with a multitude of heaven, they heard, as chanted forth from the voice of angels, the psalmody of the celestial choir”. The place became known as the “Vallis Angelorum” or the “Vale of Angels”. Around 100 years later the famed Bangor Monastery would begin its life here. From this spot heaven’s song would reach into Europe.

Introducing Comgall

Bangor’s founder, Comgall was born in Antrim in 517. Originally a soldier, he soon took monastic vows and was educated for his new life. He is next seen in the Irish annals as a hermit on Lough Erne, however his rule was so severe that seven of the monks died. He was persuaded to leave and establish a house at Bangor (or “Beannchar” – from Irish “Horned Curve” probably in reference to the bay) in the famed “Vale of the Angels”. The earliest Irish annals give 558 as the date of Bangor’s commencement.

Bangor Mor and Perpetual Psalmody

At Bangor, Comgall instituted a rigid monastic rule of incessant prayer and fasting. Far from turning people away, this ascetic rule attracted thousands. When Comgall died in 602, the annals report that 3000 monks looked to him for guidance. Bangor Mor, “the great Bangor” (to distinguish it from its British contemporaries), became the greatest monastic school in Ulster. It was also one of the three leading lights of Celtic Christianity; the others being Iona, the great missionary center founded by Colomba, and Bangor on the Dee, founded by Dinooth, (the ancient Welsh Triads also confirm the “Perpetual Harmonies” at this great house ).

Throughout the sixth century, Bangor became famous for its choral psalmody; “it was this music which was carried to the Continent by the Bangor Missionaries in the following century” (Hamilton, Rector of Bangor Abbey). Divine services of the seven hours of prayer were carried out throughout Bangor’s existence, however the monks went further and carried out the practice of Laus Perennis. In the twelfth century, Bernard of Clairvaux spoke of Comgall and Bangor, stating “the solemnization of divine offices was kept up by companies, who relieved each other in succession, so that not for one moment day and night was there an intermission of their devotions”. This continuous singing was antiphonal in nature, perhaps reminiscent of Patrick’s vision, but also practiced by St Martin’s houses in Gaul. Many of these Psalms and hymns were later written down in the Antiphonary of Bangor which came to reside in Colombanus’ monastery at Bobbio, Italy.

The Bangor Missionaries

The ascetic life of prayer and fasting were the attractions of Bangor. However, as time progressed, Bangor also became a famed seat of learning and education. There was a saying in Europe at the time that if a man knew Greek he was bound to be an Irishman, largely due to the influence of Bangor. The monastery further became a missions sending community. Even to this day missionary societies are based in the town. Bangor Monks appear throughout medieval literature as a force for good.

In 580, Mirin, a Bangor monk, took Christianity to Paisley, where he died “full of miracles and holiness”. In 590, the fiery Colombanus, one of Comgall’s leaders set out from Bangor with twelve other brothers (including Gall, who planted monasteries throughout Switzerland). In Burgundy he established a severe monastic rule at Luxeil, which mirrored that of Bangor. From here he went to Bobbio in Italy and established the house there which became one of the largest and finest monasteries in Europe. Colombanus died in 615, but by 700 AD, 100 additional monasteries had been planted throughout France, Germany and Switzerland. Other famed missionary monks who went out from Bangor include Molua, Findchua and Luanus.

The End of Greatness

The greatness of Bangor came to a close in 824, with raids from the marauding Vikings. In one raid alone, 900 monks were slaughtered. Although the twelfth century saw a resurrection of the fire of Comgall initiated by Malachy (a close friend of Bernard of Clairvaux, who wrote Malachy’s Life). It unfortunately never had the same impact as the early Celtic firebrands who stayed the tide of darkness and societal collapse bringing God to a broken generation.

Cluny

In the ninth and tenth century, Viking raiders and settlers were violently forging a new way of life in Europe. Feudalism was taking root and the monastic way of life was shaken – not only by the physical attacks (such as Bangor experienced), but subsequent to the raids many houses were subject to the whims of local chieftains. In reaction to this movement reform was needed. It came about in several ways. One of the most crucial reforming movements in the western church was the Cluniac order.

In 910, William the Pious, the Duke of Aquataine, founded the monastery at Cluny under the auspices of Abbot Berno, who instituted a new stricter form of the Benedictine rule. William endowed the Abbey with resources from his entire domain, but more importantly gave the Abbey freedom in two regards. Due to the financial endowment, the Abbey was committed to increased prayer; perpetual praise or laus perennis. Its autonomy from secular leadership was also important as the abbey was directly accountable to the church in Rome.

The second abbot, Odo took over in 926. According to CH Lawrence he was "a living embodiment of the Benedictine ideal". His reforming zeal meant that during his leadership the influence of the Cluny expanded widely. Known for its independence, hospitality and alms giving, Cluny significantly departed from the Benedictine rule as it removed manual labor from a monk’s day and replaced it with increased prayer. The number of monastic houses which looked to Cluny as their motherhouse increased greatly during this period, and the influence of the house spread all over Europe.

Cluny reached the zenith of its power and influence in the twelfth century, it commanded 314 monasteries all over Europe, second only to Rome in terms of importance in the Christian world. It became a seat of learning, training no less than four Popes. The fast growing community at Cluny also meant there was a great need for buildings. The Abbey at Cluny commenced under Hugh, the sixth abbot, in 1089, was finished in 1131-32. It was considered one of the wonders of the Middle Ages. More than 555 feet in length, it was the largest building in Europe until St. Peter's Basilica was built at Rome in the sixteenth century. Consisting of five naves, a narthex, or ante-church, and several towers, together with the conventual buildings it covered an area of twenty-five acres. However it is interesting to note that the decline in spirituality even before these great building projects, led to the ultimate demise of Cluny’s influence.

Zinzendorf and the Moravians

Zinzendorf’s Early Years

The Reformation of the sixteenth century saw much needed reform enter the European church also seeing the closure of many monasteries which had become spiritually dead. The next great champion of 24/7 prayer did not appear until the start of the eighteenth century - Count Nicholas Ludwig Von Zinzendorf.

Zinzendorf was born in 1700 to an aristocratic, but pious family. His father died when he was only six weeks old. The young boy was therefore brought up by his grandmother, herself a well known leader of the Pietist movement and friendly with the established leader of the Pietists and young Zinzendorf’s Godfather – Phillipp Jakob Spener. Growing up in the midst of such passion for Jesus, Zinzendorf speaks of his early childhood as a time of great piety - “In my fourth year I began to seek God earnestly, and determined to become a true servant of Jesus Christ”

From the age of 10, Young Zinzendorf was tutored at the Pietist school of Halle under the watchful eye of Augustus Hermann Francke, another leader of the Pietists. He here formed a school club which lasted all his life: “The Honourable Order of the Mustard Seed”. After several years at Halle, Zinzendorf’s uncle considered the young count too much of a Pietist and had him sent to Wittenberg to learn jurisprudence, so that he might be prepared for court life. Soon the young Count was in various different society circles in Europe. He would keep these connections for the rest of his life, and they would be a force for good, however his job in the Dresden Court and future plans for Saxon Court life as the Secretary of State would not find fulfillment.

The Moravians and Herrnhut

In 1722, Zinzendorf bought the Berthelsdorf Estate from his grandmother and installed a Pietistic Preacher in the local Lutheran Church. The same year Zinzendorf came into contact with a Moravian preacher, Christian David, who persuaded the young count of the sufferings of the persecuted Protestants in Moravia. These Moravians known as the Unitas Fratrum were the remains of the John Huss’ followers in Bohemia. Since the 1600s, these saints had suffered under the hands of successive repressive Catholic monarchs. Zinzendorf offered them asylum on his lands. Christian David returned to Bohemia and brought many to settle on Zinzendorf’s estate, forming the community of Herrnhut – the “Watch of the Lord”. The community quickly grew to around 300. However due to divisions and tensions in the infant community, Zinzendorf gave up his court position and became the leader of the brethren, instituting a new constitution for the community.

The 100 Year Prayer Meeting and Missions

A new spirituality now characterized the community, with men and women being committed to bands or choruses to encourage one another in the life of God. August 1727 is seen as the Moravian Pentecost. Zinzendorf said that 13th August was "a day of the outpourings of the Holy Spirit upon the congregation; it was its Pentecost." Within two weeks of the outpouring 24 men and 24 women covenanted to pray “hourly intercessions”, thus praying every hour around the clock. They were committed to see that “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out” (Lev 6:13). The numbers committed to this endeavor soon increased to around 70 from the community. This prayer meeting would go non-stop for the next 100 years and is seen by many as the spiritual power behind the impact that the Moravians had on the world.

From the prayer room at Herrnhut came a missionary zeal that has hardly been surpassed in church history. The spark initially came from Zinzendorf’s encounter in Denmark with Eskimos that had been converted by Lutherans. The Count returned to Herrnhut and conveyed his passion to see the Gospel go to the nations. As a result, many of the community went out into the world to preach the gospel, some even selling themselves into slavery in order to fulfill the great commission. This commitment is shown by a simple statistic; Typically, when it comes to world missions the Protestant laity to missionary ratio has been 5000:1, the Moravians however saw a much increased ratio - 60:1. By 1776, some 226 missionaries had been sent out from the community at Herrnhut. It is clear through the teaching of the so called “Father of Modern Missions”, William Carey, that the Moravians had a profound impact on him with regard to their zeal for missionary activity. It is also through the missionary-minded Moravians that John Wesley came to faith. The impact of this little community in Saxony committed to seek the face of the Lord day and night has been truly immeasurable.
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24-7 Prayer in the 20th Century

In 1973 David Yonggi Cho, Pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul South Korea established a Prayer Mountain with day and night prayer. The Prayer Mountain was soon attracting over a million visitors per year, as people would spend retreats in the prayer cells provided on the mountain. Cho had a commitment to continuous prayer, faith and establishing small discipleship cells in his church. Perhaps as a result, Cho’s church rapidly expanded to become the largest church congregation on the globe, with membership now over 780,000.
 

International House of Prayer

September 19, 1999, saw the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri start a prayer and worship meeting that has continued for 24 hours a day 7 days a week ever since. With a similar vision to Zinzendorf, that the fire on the altar should never go out, there has never been a time when worship and prayer has not ascended to heaven since that date.  The International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the most visible Christian organizations of the 24-7 Prayer Movement. IHOP has been in operation since 1999, with a continuous prayer meeting offering harp and bowl worship and intercessory prayer twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The ministry is centered on prayer, fasting, evangelism, and teaching and equipping believers for the end times, which they believe are quickly approaching.

IHOP functions as a missions base, with staff members raising their own support, independent of IHOP. The prayer room functions in two hour shifts, each led by full teams of musicians and singers. There is a daily schedule of different types of prayer meetings throughout the day.

IHOP was launched and continues to be led by its director, Mike Bickle, who is an author and former pastor.

Harp and Bowl

Harp and Bowl - it's name taken from Revelation 4 and 5 - is a type or tool for worship. It is music that is intregrated into prayer. Harp being the music and Bowl being the prayer of the saints (Christians) that are constantly going up like incense before the throne of God. This type of worship is used in sustaning long periods of worship and has worked out best for the International House of Prayer in Kansas City which has sustained a prayer meeting since September 1999.

The main function of Harp and Bowl is antiphonal singers, who use the Bible as a song book, singing and declaring the Word of God along with guitar and piano that accompany the singers. In Harp and Bowl the major focus is not the singers nor is it the musicians, but it puts the focus on the One being worshipped in such a setting. Harp and Bowl is not a new device, but is based on values that have been used for thousands of years in hundreds of different settings through out Judaism and Christianity.

24-7 Prayer.com

Also beginning in September of 1999, a prayer room inspired by the Moravians at Revelation Church in Chichester, UK began and sparked the global non-stop prayer movement called, 24-7Prayer.com. In the last six years, over 3500 groups in more than 60 countries around the world have prayed non-stop for a week or more, making this the largest global non-stop prayer movement in history.

...Etc.

At the same time at other places around the globe, plans for 24/7 prayer communities developed, resulting in 24/7 Houses of Prayer and Prayer Mountains in all the continents of the Earth. In places where it is not feasible to staff a location with people who can keep prayer continual, prayer chains are often created in which at least one person from a congregation commits to each hour of the day or week, so that someone from that congregation is always in prayer.