Who we are
The National House of Prayer was established in 2005 as a CRA-registered non-profit organization dedicated to the power of prayer towards the betterment of the Government of Canada and all Canadians.
Today we emphasize prayer for governments, leaders, and communities for every riding in Canada.
We take our mission from 1 Timothy:
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4
While serving as a pastor in Vernon, BC, NHOP founder Rob Parker was led by God to lead a group prayer walk from Calgary to Ottawa. Calling it Link Canada, Rob and the team made the trek in 73 days, concluding in Ottawa on July 1, 2000. Prayer for government became an important focus during the walk.
During Link Canada, God spoke about establishing an embassy of prayer in Ottawa. In February of 2004, Rob and Fran Parker left their ministry in Vernon to establish the National House of Prayer in Ottawa.
With the encouragement of several powerful confirmations and a miraculous wave of support from across Canada, National House of Prayer was led to purchase the house at 17 Myrand Avenue. For the next 15 years, we would host many wonderful teams coming to pray for Canada in our nation’s capital.
Throughout NHOP’s history, many important events have coincided with the Jewish calendar. NHOP has always felt connected to Israel, to pray for God’s purposes for both Jews and Arabs. In March of 2010, Rob Parker led a small team on an 18-day prayer walk around Israel, concluding with the ascent to Jerusalem.
Just as the purchase of the prayer house had been confirmed in many miraculous ways, it became clear that it was time to sell. Within months of the sale, Canada would be in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. This again was God’s provision, as we would not have been able to sustain the building without groups coming from across the nation.
After 17 years of service, Rob and Fran Parker passed the baton. On January 1, 2021, Chris and Marilyn Byberg became the Executive Directors of the National House of Prayer.
Building on a concept that the Lord first started speaking to Chris and Marilyn about years prior, NHOP launched the Canopy of Prayer. In the past, teams came down to Ottawa from across the country to pray for its leaders. Now, the focus is on raising a Canopy of Prayer over Canada by establishing prayer teams in all 338 federal electoral ridings.
National House of Prayer is led by Executive Directors Chris and Marilyn Byberg. In the early 1980s Chris and Marilyn responded to the call of God in their lives. They felt God leading them to a Tabernacle of David-type of experience that would have prayer, worship, and prophetic ministries as its pillars. Since then, they have been youth pastors, worship leaders, and associate pastors. They have worked as Directors for March for Jesus and facilitated many regional worship and prayer events, including Harp and Bowl and Healing Rooms. The focus of their lives has always been prayer and the presence of God.
Hear about what God is doing in the prayer movement across Canada.
