“For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5

Three years ago, when I was praying about a name for our new worship center, the Lord placed this scripture in my heart. David describes a secret hiding place called His “pavilion.” What an appropriate name for this place hidden two stories underground in the heart of Jerusalem.

When we rediscovered this former theater in November, 2002, this was “the time of trouble.” Suicide bombings occurred almost weekly. A few months after we purchased The Pavilion, a bus was blown up right outside the doors of this building.

Several weeks ago I was on a personal retreat near the Dead Sea. As I was seeking the Lord for direction, He directed my thoughts toward the top of this building. Increasingly I sensed in my spirit that The Pavilion was to include a special place for prayer, and that it should be up on the top floor where we could ‘watch’ and pray.

I felt led to return to Jerusalem early and spend the rest of my time away, on the top floor of the Clal building. As I prayed from this strategic perch overlooking the key landmarks of Jerusalem I became even more convinced that the Lord was speaking. Later I asked each of our ministry team to spend a day of prayer and fasting concerning this important matter. I’ll never forget the day that Lynn Gettel shared with us how she was directed to read Psalm 27:5 again. We all knew how appropriate the first part of that verse was, but this time Lynn was struck by the last line: “He shall set me high upon a rock.”

We had already placed the scripture, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations” in the foundations of our ‘hiding place.’ But little did we know then that The Pavilion would also rise to become a ‘high place,’ and a ‘tower’ “in the time of trouble.”

To make a long story short, only a few weeks ago we signed an agreement to purchase the entire top floor of the Clal center. This is another huge step of faith. But thankfully we are able to acquire this property at a remarkably low price. We are also able to move our offices to the top floor and use income from that space to help fund the new prayer center.

From the panoramic windows of The Pavilion Prayer Tower situated 17 stories on top of one of Jerusalem’s highest hills, we will be constantly reminded of the Lord’s soon return as we look down at the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount. As we fulfill the command to intercede for “all who are in authority” we will actually have within our sights, the Knesset and Supreme Court of Israel.

We have also designed an ‘upper room’ to seat 120. How fitting that The Pavilion Prayer Tower will be dedicated on the Day of Pentecost (Shavuot) on June 1, 2006.

May the Lord pour out His Spirit upon Jerusalem once again as we watch and wait for Him.