The House of Prayer Everywhere

“Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people”

(Isaiah 56:7).

Our Milestones

The House is God’s house.

The House is a spiritual family.

The House is a joyful house of prayer for all people.

Our Mission

The Love of Jesus and the Power of Prayer for all people.

Our Ministry

Post-Denominational – We are a collage and connection of many different denominational histories.

Multi- Generational – We are committed to reaching and offering relevant ministry to every generation in every family.

Cross-Cultural – We are a house of prayer for all nations. We do not place significance on one culture over another.
Urban -Missional – We are based in Oakland, CA, USA and are therefore doing ministry that positively impacts this city.

How To Avoid Ministry Burnout

“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately” (Mark 6:30-32).

There are some principles in this passage that full-time ministries can apply that can protect from ministry burn out:

1. Remain Christ-Centered. The key to ministry vitality is spiritual intimacy. When are close to Christ we stay close to His Passion.

2. Rehearse Spiritual Successes – We often burnout because we don’t take the time to testify of the triumphs. Good things are happening through you. Verbalize the victories of the ministry.

3. Relax Regular Routines – Whatever you normally and daily do take a break from it. It’s okay. Jesus said you could.

4. Recognize People Pressure – People are always coming and going in ministry. Don’t take it personal. People are for a season and a reason.

5. Replenish Natural Needs – Sleep well, eat your favorite foods and enjoy some private time doing whatever makes you feel full and fulfilled.

Bishop Sean Teal / PrayerEverywhere.org

The Strategy of a Sabbatical

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light “ (Matthew 11:28-30).

On the seventh day of the seventh month I am officially beginning my first full thirty (30) day sabbatical. This is a time for me to rest my body, relax my soul and renew my spirit. My time will be spent quietly in The Word and prayer joyfully with our family and thoughtfully with a few real good books. 

My greatest appreciation goes to the members of The House of Prayer Everywhere who make these moments possible and enjoyable. As your senior pastor and visionary I take this sabbatical with the intention of returning as a better servant and shepherd. Thank you for investing in my recharge and reboot!

The “sabbatical” is a state of imposed rest. It is when one schedules and disciplines themselves to take a time of rest from normal and vocational responsibilities. For most highly imperative personalities it is hard work to find rest. Listen to Jesus! He will put your resistance to rest to bed.  

I too am one of those imperative personalities. I think in terms of what I “must” do versus what I can do, I live a high intensity lifestyle. I am impassioned and committed to impact. The anointing of the ministry attracts movers and shakers, entrepreneurs, engineers  and educators. 

We all need a sabbath for the “soul”. We All need to take some time off to renew our minds, wills and emotions. Let The House rest.  The seventh (7th) is the sabbatical number. 

On the seventh day God rested (Genesis 2:1-2). Each year The House sets aside July as a month of intentional rest and relaxation from the rigorous responsibilities of full time ministry.

The wisdom of a sabbatical is encouraged in the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.  Jesus spoke these words to people who were exhausted by the routines and rituals of Temple religion. They were spent. They were at their liturgical and levitical ends. They needed rest from trying to gain God’s approval through works and The Law. He seems to outline for them and now Us how to take a spiritual sabbatical that changes your life.

Sabbaticals should be times of:

1. Unloading – “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take the time to rest from whatever is the “labour” and whatever is the “heavy burden”. Acknowledge your limitations and don’t be lulled or bullied into being everyone’s hero and everyone’s resource. Rest from having to be the answer for all. Consider yourself and care for yourself and don’t apologize for it.

2. Uploading – “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”. This is the time to focus on Jesus, who He is, what He wants and what wills for your life. Rest in knowing that “the yoke” (that is easy and the burden that is light) always carries you forward into your faith and further into His favour. Take this time to learn of Him. Get in His lap and listen to His heartbeat. Learn the rhythm of your Father’s heart. Draw closer to God and watch God draw closer to you. It is an unbreakable spiritual law (James 4:7-9). 

“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately (Mark 6:30-32).

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