Prayer Room Culture
“ …whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)”
At the Cincinnati House of Prayer we face unique challenges concerning social etiquette. Our calling as a house of prayer or “sanctuary” in the tri-state region means that we have people from many different congregations and denominations coming through our doors. That inevitably creates circumstances in which personal and corporate expectations of behavior often collide. People with differing cultures, ministerial backgrounds, expressions of worship, social expectations concerning behavior, and standards of hygiene all converge in one place or room.
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)
For the good of others, we govern our prayer room and ministry under the principle of love. We have reduced a level of personal freedom in our midst so that we can, in love, enjoy the prayer room and ministry center as a family of believers. As you look over the C-HOP etiquette please look them over with the understanding we want everyone to enjoy the Lord, together in His house of prayer.
Use of Mouth
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NKJV)
The Cincinnati House of Prayer promotes and encourages a fasted lifestyle. At any given time it is expected that individuals will be fasting from various foods, drinks or activities unto the Lord in our midst. As we serve one another in this context no eating is permitted in the prayer room. In all cases, please return all your trash to an available garbage can and clean up after yourself.
In order to maintain an atmosphere of prayer please limit your quiet conversations in the prayer room to 30 seconds or less. If you find yourself talking longer, feel free to go into the Welcome Area, Gathering Room and Bookstore, otherwise one of the C-HOP staff may kindly ask you to relocate your conversation outside the prayer room. Please also be aware that speaking right outside the door will carry into the prayer room.
Please do not use your cell phone in the prayer room. If it is important that you receive your calls while in the prayer room then please place your phone on vibrate and return your calls outside the prayer room.
Use of Hands
When you pray for or are doing any type of prayer ministry that is invited from the platform please keep eyes open, stand in front of the person you are praying for, ask for permission to lay a hand on the individual and then limit the placement of hands to shoulder, arm or head while keeping hands stationary. No inappropriate touch is permitted.
Please do not use any instruments in the prayer room if you are not part of the team on the platform as it can be distracting for the team leading the prayer and worship set. (i.e. tambourines, drums or hand drums, shofars, sticks, horns, etc.)
Please limit the use of worship props (flags, banners, swords, staffs, etc.) to the rear or sides of the prayer room unless directed otherwise from the platform. Children may not use these props if not supervised by the parent or other adults. If the prayer room is particularly full then C-HOP Staff may ask that these props not be used in order to accommodate space.
Use of Space
If we have a crowded prayer meeting, please limit your personal space to one chair.
If you leave for an extended period of time (longer than a 2-hour prayer set), only to return later to the prayer room, please take your personal items with you so that others may utilize the space.
Please do not leave food, beverages or belongings in the prayer room. These items will be thrown away or placed on the lost-and-found shelf in the Welcome Area. Please encourage children to do the same.
No running is permitted in the prayer room and ministry center at any time.
Unless there are times of congregational dance, individuals should limit dancing to the designated side and back of the prayer room.
Children should not be without adult supervision. Please be aware of where your children are at all times. Parents please encourage and model the etiquette to your children at all times.
Generally, we ask that only C-HOP Staff and team members be permitted behind the soundboard. Please refrain from being behind or touching anything involved with the soundboard and computers. If there is a problem with the live web stream or sound for a live prayer set then please find a C-HOP Staff member to address the problem.
Management of the C-HOP
Ministry Center and Prayer Room
If you are not following the aforementioned etiquette for some reason you are likely to be approached by a C-HOP Staff member. They will respectfully direct you to and/or remind you of the C-HOP Etiquette. We ask you to help us serve you by following these directions.