The Madison House of Prayer for all Nations, a unique facility aimed at bringing together a broad cross-section of local Christian believers through worship and prayer, has closed its doors and will not reopen, according to its founder and financial backer. Madison businessman David Gerry is sending out a letter to all who have been involved with the House of Prayer in one way or another, explaining that it had run its course.
Calling the end the death a vision that came to him seven years ago, Gerry said that the House of Prayer had nonetheless been a miracle for Madison during its years of operation. Volunteers, interns and others who were involved with the House of Prayer spent hours in prayer and worship on an almost daily basis, on behalf of local, national and even international issues. The House of Prayer was located on Eagan Road near East Towne, part of a complex that also included the Princeton Club, owned and operated by the Gerry family, as well as the Family Christian Bookstore.
The House of Prayer’s website, which is still online at this point, defines it as: "a place for personal, intimate encounter with God, a place dedicated for ministering to the Lord through worship and prayer, and a gift to the city of Madison. Our dream is that this house will become a place where the furnace of worship and prayer ignites a greater passion for God throughout the body of Christ in our community."
The website goes on to discuss plans to "train singers, musicians, prayer leaders, poets, dancers, artists, sound and multimedia technicians, etc. with a heart to minister to an audience of One. Prayer and worship ministry will have a variety of expressions reflecting the various expressions in the body of Christ."
Details of exactly what situation precipitated the closing of The House of Prayer have not been released either by David Gerry or others who were in leadership positions. Following is the text of the letter that is being sent out.
Dear Friends:
It is with a sadness in my heart, but also an exhilaration, that comes from obedience, that I am to announce to you that the House of Prayer for all Nations, in Madison, is now closed. Our missionary staff has been lovingly released, and in our most recent house meeting, I personally shared the news to a full house. Those in attendance listened, cried, prayed, and remembered, as they witnessed, firsthand, the death of this vision. It felt like a funeral and really was just that. A man’s dream being laid down, to the point of death. Many said afterwards, "It was like a seed going into the ground and being covered with the soil."
The announcement comes exactly seven years, to the Sunday night, since I was given permission to call a 21 day fast. We met every night during that time, to worship, united together by teams from local churches. After the fast, my family and I waited on the Lord for a long season. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle.
God began to send us skilled leaders and hundreds of worshippers began to be gathered together. They were encouraged and trained, in prayer and worship, in what we called "an Audience of One" heart posture. Teams were formed from these internships, and prayer and praise began to be lifted up many hours a day, almost daily, for many years. They gazed upon His beauty, and prayed. Prayed for the Church, salvation, local churches, pastors and leaders, Israel, and the countless other things that are on God’s heart.
In the midst of all of this, I stood in the background, watching and praying, and I noticed each of you. You were stunning! You heard His voice. You felt His love. You moved God’s heart. You grew closer to Him. You grew closer to each other. You were dedicated. You were obedient. You were faithful. You were great. Not one moment was lost. Not one prayer went unheard. Your heart cry touched His. You even trained another generation of worshippers as they fell deeper in love with God.
That is why this is one of the hardest things I have ever been asked to do, but I believe with all my heart, that the House of Prayer, in its current form, is to be laid down. As my heart pounded and the tears flowed when the first letter was released seven years ago, so it does again with this final letter.
I encourage you, as I said the other night, to engage, or re-engage, in your local church, knit together. Deepen your relationship with your pastor and the leadership. See if you can start, or be a part of prayer and worship meetings within your church. Earn the trust of those around you with the super-natural humility that will be needed next.
Personally, I have a freedom in my heart, a hope and a confidence unlike anything I have ever experienced before. A man’s dream may have died, but God’s dream has not.
God Bless You.
David Gerry
Madison