Spotlight: Greater Ontario House of Prayer
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
There’s a quiet temptation in ministry that many of us fall into—doing the work of God without spending time with God.
This isn’t new—but it is costly.
We’re seeing the data: ministry leaders are tired, burned out, and spiritually depleted. And many have quietly let their own connection with God weaken—not out of rebellion, but out of busyness. Out of exhaustion.
But there is hope. And this week, we want to highlight a place—and a movement—that reminds us all of the power and necessity of prayer: the Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP).
What Is The Greater Ontario House of Prayer (GOHOP)?
The Greater Ontario House of Prayer is a prayer-focused community located in Hamilton, Ontario, connected to the global 24-7 Prayer movement, which has sustained non-stop prayer for over 25 years around the world.
At its core, GOHOP is just what its name says—a house for prayer. It is a sacred space where people can come, anytime, to simply be with God. Their mission is : to cultivate a culture of prayer, hospitality, creativity, and spiritual formation that strengthens both individuals and the wider Church.
Weekly and Monthly Gatherings at GOHOP
Prayer Room Open Hours - Drop in for silence, prayer stations, or guided intercession.
Prayer time specifically for Pastors and Leaders
Moving Mountains - growing in faith and expectation of God
Prayer time for the Persecuted Church
Heartwatch – a contemplative prayer space with sung psalms and Taizé-style music.
Discipleship and Formation
Form & Fire Internship – A 3-month immersion into both disciplined and Spirit-empowered life.
PJaM (Prayer, Justice & Mission) – A week-long service-learning trip for post-secondary students.
The Prayer Course – An 8-week group journey through the basics of prayer.
Retreats and Spiritual Direction
GOHOP regularly hosts seasonal retreats and offers spiritual direction for individuals or groups seeking deeper intimacy with God. Their directors offer listening, presence, and discernment—not advice, but companionship on the journey of faith.
Why It Matters for Ministry Leaders
At Ministry Forum, we only recently began exploring GOHOP more deeply, prompted by Rev. John’s engagement with the Lectio 365 app (created by 24-7 Prayer). What caught his attention was the simplicity and depth of their offering: this was a physical, accessible place entirely devoted to helping people connect with God. It’s not a revolutionary new idea - but one we desperately need - an offering that allows ministry leaders to step off the hamster wheel and rest in God. Not just talk about God. Not just serve on behalf of Jesus - but to actually abide in Him.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
—John 15:5
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about grace. We weren’t meant to do ministry on empty. We weren’t designed to run on adrenaline and purpose alone. We were created to draw daily from the presence of God.
Why we want to highlight GOHOP this week…
We’re excited that Randall Neudorf, prayer missionary and artist at GOHOP, will be joining us as a speaker at our upcoming Creative Ways conference on June 1st. Randall brings with him not just insight, but the lived experience of a community shaped by prayer.
You’re Not Alone—and It’s Not Too Late
If prayer has been hard to come by lately, if you’ve been running on spiritual fumes, know this: you’re not alone. And more importantly, this moment can become a turning point—not a source of shame, but a place of renewal!
Find space.
Find silence.
Find God again.
Let GOHOP be an inspiration—whether you live nearby or simply follow their example from afar—to make prayer not your afterthought, but your anchor.