Flee From International House of Prayer aka IHOP and Mike Bickle

I don’t do this very often, but today I want to make a public stand against a particular ministry and religious leader. I have no desire to cause division in the Body of Christ, nor am I fueled by some personal agenda to put someone else down (no doubt these charges will be brought against me by some). I am making this public stand out of the fear of the Lord, and a desire to protect people from spiritual harm.

By way of introduction, please read this first– Warning Others About False Teachers –which lays out the Biblical precedent for sounding a clear alarm and publicly naming the names of those leading people astray.

It is my firm conviction that Mike Bickle–founder of International House of Prayer (IHOP)–has been influenced by doctrines of demons (through false prophets like Bob Jones and his own desire to make an elitist name for himself), and is promoting a sensualized form of “Christianity” that subtly glorifies man and feeds the flesh (while claiming to be “of the Spirit,” of course). So much has already been written about this that it would almost be redundant for me to write about it myself.

You can research Mike Bickle and his IHOP organization for yourself, but following are some links that will provide understanding of who this man is, what his religious roots are, and what he is promoting. Please note that I do not necessarily agree with all views expressed by the authors at these links.

1. IHOP–The Perils of Passion — a very good summary of the beginning of this “ministry” and some of its aberrant teachings.

2. Another summary in two parts — What About IHOP Part 1 & What About IHOP Part 2

3. The longest and most comprehensive expose of this man/movement was an open letter written by Ernest Gruen in the 1980’s. Gruen was a pastor in Kansas City during the time that the so-called “Kansas City Prophets” (including Mike Bickle) were leading many away from the truth. Click *here* to read this 130 page report.

4. The Bridal Paradigm –This article summarizes one of the key teachings in this movement, one that perverts and sensualizes the bridal nature of the Church.

I would like to write a few more posts in the near future:

1. A more detailed expose on the so-called Bridal Paradigm, using & documenting Mike Bickle’s own words.

2. A post linking to personal testimonies of people who have, by God’s mercy, come out from under IHOP’s influence.

3. A post explaining what I have personally seen in the lives of those influenced by the IHOP in my area (Richmond, VA).

God bless you as you follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and refuse to follow the voice of a stranger! (John 10:5)