About The Prayer Foundation

In 1998, S. G. Preston (Monk Preston) and his wife Linda (Monk Linda), Co-founded The Prayer Foundation ™ as an Interdenominational "Prayer Encouragement" ministry. The organization currently has over 1,600 volunteers in all 50 States of the U.S.A.; and in 34 Countries worldwide.

The Prayer Foundation ™ "Prayer Encouragement" Website went online Nov. 8, 2000, and included a worldwide 24-Hr. Prayerchain, so far receiving prayer requests from 79 Countries. The website has received up to 1,027,480 "hits" in one month (we usually receive more "hits" in winter than during the summer).

It has provided a source of "Prayer Teaching and Resources" for such groups as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) and The BBC, with prayer-related research for Book Publishing, Television Series, and Documentary Films.

Approximately half of the visitors to our website are not born again Christians. This is a wonderful, God-given opportunity for us to present the Gospel message. We believe that all Christians are called by Christ's "Great Commission" to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations (Mark 16:15) and that all Christian ministries, whatever they feel their primary ministry calling to be, should also present a clear Gospel message. We have placed a "Link" to The Plan of Salvation on every single page of our over 1,000 page website. Many persons have emailed the ministry that they have become Christians by receiving Christ through the information on how to do so that is provided on the website.

S. G. Preston currently serves as President of The Prayer Foundation ™, and of the Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order.

The Prayer Foundation ™ Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order was the original, very first Monastic Order to be composed solely of born-again Christians. It was founded in 1998.

As the only born-again Christian monastic order on the Internet for over four years, it both began and served as the inspiration for what has become over the past decade an entire ever-growing worldwide movement; now consisting of over 100 new Evangelical Monastic Orders in North America alone (according to the Boston Globe, Feb. 3, 2008).

It is comprised of Lay Monks (Oblates) in 31 U.S. States and in 5 Countries. One out of seven of our Lay Monks are either Pastors, Youth Pastors, or Seminary students. ________________________________________________________________

Observing that many non-Christians' stated rejection of Christian ministries revolves around those ministries constantly "asking for money" (and the payment to their leaders of exorbitant salaries), Monk Preston and Monk Linda determined from the beginning that The Prayer Foundation ™ would not do any mailings or solicitations for funding, but just go to God in prayer for the needs of the ministry.

They also determined that it would be an uncompensated all-volunteer ministry, with no one, from the President and Board of Directors on down, receiving any compensation whatsoever for their volunteer work. ________________________________________________________________

The Prayer Foundation ™ and its Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order believe that their mission and purpose; to bring the entire Church into a deeper life of prayer; is one of the most important callings of our time.

The objective is to bring all individual Christians, regardless of Denominational or Church affiliation, into a deeper walk with Christ, through the Word of God and Prayer, to the increase of the Gospel message worldwide.

Thank you for your prayers and participation in this Ministry of personal prayer growth and global Gospel witness. ________________________________________________________________

In 1998 S. G. Preston and his wife, Linda, founded The Prayer Foundation ™, an Interdenominational ministry of "Prayer Teaching and Resources" with a clear Gospel message.

The Prayer Foundation ™ is comprised of lay Christians who have a desire grow in prayer and to follow Christ in a deeper way. It is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, and has volunteers in all 50 States and 34 Countries (currently over 1,600 volunteers worldwide).

Strongly Evangelical, Interdenominational

The organization is strongly Evangelical in doctrine, as exemplified by the strict adherence of The Prayer Foundation ™ Statement of Faith to historic, orthodox Biblical Christian Doctrine.

A "Link" to the Plan of Salvation (how to receive Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour) appears on every single page of the over 1,000 page Prayer Foundation™ website.

The Interdenominational nature of the ministry as a para-Church organization means that volunteers are composed of members of many different Denominations and Churches. The Prayer Foundation ™ therefore does not take stands, either for or against, on most non-essential to Salvation Christian Doctrines which good Christians on both sides of an issue may differ about (for example: the historic Arminian-Calvinist debate). The organization also accepts like-minded Roman Catholic and Orthodox volunteers; many such being involved in the ministry as Prayer Warriors on the 24-Hour Prayerchain.

Christians looked to as mentors as to Doctrine, include: C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham, Martin Luther, Francis A. Schaeffer, Luis Palau, Walter Martin, Fritz Ridenour, Paul E. Little, and John R. W. Stott.

No fund-raising, mailings asking for donations, etc. - simply going to God in Prayer

The Prayer Foundation ™ is a 100% volunteer Interdenominational para-Church (called alongside to help) organization. No member receives any salaries or compensation whatsoever. The organization does not fund-raise, do mailings, etc., but, after the examples of George Muller, Hudson Taylor, Francis and Edith Schaeffer, and many other great men and women of faith, simply has members ask the Lord in prayer to supply any needs.

Nov. 8, 2000: The Prayer Foundation's Prayer Teaching & Resources Website and 24-Hour Prayerchain Go Online

The ministry has seen phenomenal growth, believing this to be the result of God's blessing. Its "Prayer Teaching & Resources" website of over 1,000 pages currently has received up to 1,027,480 "hits" in one month worldwide from Christians (and non-Christians) of all Denominational and Church backgrounds. Surveys have shown that half of the visitors to the website are born-again Christians and half are not. This is considered a "God-given" opportunity to present a clear Gospel message, and many persons have emailed the ministry that they have become Christians by receiving Christ through information on how to do so that is provided on the website.

The fact that approximately half of the visitors to our website are not born again Christians offers a wonderful, God-given opportunity for us to present the Gospel message. We believe that all Christians are called by Christ's "Great Commission" to go into all the world and preach the gospel to the entire world (Mark 16:15) and that all Christian ministries, whatever they feel their primary ministry calling to be, should also present a clear Gospel message. We have placed a "Link" to The Plan of Salvation on every single page of our website.

Christ's "Great Commission":

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." -Mark 16:15

This is a website saturated in prayer. The born-again Christian monks of The Prayer Foundation™ believe that whether you are a Christian or are not a Christian, God has brought you to this website, and prayer has played a part.

24 Hr. Prayerchain: Continuous Perpetual Worldwide Prayer Until Our Lord Returns!

The first goal of The Prayer Foundation ™ was to set up a perpetual 24-hour Prayerchain. Prayer Requests have so far been received from 79 different Countries. This is a public service available to all, and free to all. Those who feel a calling to a ministry of prayer may volunteer as Prayer Warriors. Over 1,600 persons worldwide have volunteered so far.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) and the BBC

The Prayer Foundation website has been contacted for Prayer Resource help (the letters are posted in our letter column---Your Comments) by such groups as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) and The BBC for help with prayer-related research for Books, Television Series, and Documentaries.

Donating their free time to Prayer, Prayer Teaching, and Sharing the Gospel Message

The organization started out "in the black" with $20.00 and has remained so to this day. All members of The Prayer Foundation and Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order from the Founders, President, and Board of Directors on down hold their own regular jobs and support themselves, donating their free time to prayer, prayer teaching, and sharing the Gospel message.

1998-1999: Founding the first 100% Born-again Christian Monastic Order

S. G. Preston and his wife, Linda (Monk Preston and Monk Linda), in 1998 also founded the Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order as a ministry of The Prayer Foundation ™.

It was the very first 100% Born-again Christian Monastic Order, founded to provide the staff to operate the parent organization, and because a monastic lifestyle was how the two co-founders personally wished to live their lives. The Religious Order would be Interdenominational, with a total emphasis on the Word of God and Prayer, and in preaching the Gospel.

The monastic framework was seen as a particularly apt historically Christian metaphor for a life dedicated to God in prayer.

The Prayer Foundation ™ / Knights of Prayer ™ draws inspiration from the example of the truly dedicated life of Francis of Assisi, and also from the lives of St. Patrick and other Celtic Christian missionary monks of that early era.

The Celtic Christian section of The Prayer Foundation™ website, if posted alone as a separate and independent website, would be one of the most extensive Celtic Christian Sites on the Internet. The doctrinal stance of these webpages, in common with the entire website, is strongly Evangelical.

Reforming Monasticism / Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Monk Preston and Monk Linda felt that Monasticism should have been reformed when the Protestant Reformation of the Church occurred, but that this not being done during that period, now the time had come to undertake it.

Several years later they learned that this had earlier (before and during WWII) been the thought and desire also of the great Protestant theologian and Lutheran Pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

One of the Monks (Monk Bob) preaches the Gospel three times a day in downtown Portland. Others have undertaken missionary trips to England, Mexico, China, and other countries. Over the years many individuals have received Christ through the website (www.prayerfoundation.org), which also offers a Growing In Christ Monastic Training Course posted free to all on their website (it consists of basic Christian doctrine and practice, practical teaching on prayer, fellowship, witnessing, scripture memorization, and recommended Christian books and films).

The New "Lay Monk Movement" (Evangelical Monasticism)

Monks and Lay Monks (Oblates) have been around throughout most of the history of Christianity. The Prayer Foundation ™ / Knights of Prayer ™ is unique only in that in 1998 it became the very first 100% born-again Christian Lay Monastic Order. It was founded to bring spiritually helpful historic monastic prayer practices to the attention of Christians not familiar with them. This included most Protestants, whose Pastors and church members had received no training in this area.

Christianity Today: interest in monastic practices has now penetrated every Protestant Denomination.

Seven years later: Christianity Today stated that interest in monastic practices has now penetrated every Protestant Denomination. The beginnings of this Protestant interest did not of course begin with The Prayer Foundation™, but perhaps may be said to have had its modern origin in the writings and practice of Dietrich Bonhoeffer before and during WWII, though a Protestant Episcopal monastery had been founded as early as 1844.

Being the very first born-again Monastic Order, and the first such presence on the Internet, the organization was naturally contacted by many who were led to do this also, and inspired many others who never contacted us. The Prayer Foundation ™ website went online Nov. 8, 2000, and was the only such born-again monastic presence on the entire web for over four years.

The two co-founders, S. G. Preston and his wife, Linda, (Monk Preston & Monk Linda) felt at the time (1998-1999) that they were founding not just the first born-again monastery, but what would become an entire movement, and this in fact proved to be the case.

On July 19, 1999, Monk Linda officially became the First Lady Monk in the history of Christianity (see: Monk Linda: The First Lady Monk; Brief History of Monasticism: Brief History of Protestant Monasticism; Christian History Timeline).

They were early on joined by two others, Monk Bob with a ministry of street evangelism in the U.S. and in Mexico, and Monk Danny, with a ministry in music. Since then, they have also been joined by over 1,600 like-minded believers in all 50 U.S. States and in 34 total Countries worldwide.

It was a constant surprise to the organization to discover yet another new born-again monastery or monastic group who gave no evidence of ever having heard of The Prayer Foundation ™, and yet had copied entire pages of their legally copyrighted website onto their own website with no changes and no acknowledgement. Happily, many more wrote them thanking them for their example and inspiration, and seeking advice in their new endeavor. There are now dozens of monastic groups, if not hundreds, a born-again entirely new Lay Monastic Movement. (See: New Monasticism; Brief History of Protestant Monasticism).

Knights of Prayer ™ Monks are primarily non-resident lay persons (ordinary people as monks). Single or married, male or female; with jobs, careers, some with children. Often these say that they have previously felt that they been monks "in their hearts" for many years, and some even for decades.

The organization is strongly orthodox Evangelical in Doctrine. It also accepts Roman Catholic and Orthodox believers as lay monastics (Monks, Oblates) who are in agreement with The Prayer Foundation ™ Statement of Faith.

The Prayer Foundation ™ Web Site: Interdenominational Prayer Teaching & Resources

On Nov. 8, 2000, The Prayer Foundation ™ website went online with about a dozen pages, growing slowly to its current size. Its purpose is to provide Interdenominational Prayer Teaching and Resources to all Christians throughout the world, regardless of Denominational or Church affiliation. Those who wish to participate may fill out the Survey, read the Scripture Readings and pray one or more of the Daily Prayer / Hours (Hours of Prayer) learn how to practice Lectio Divina ("divine reading": an ancient monastic way of Pray-Reading the Scriptures), take the Growing In Christ Monastic Training Course (which is posted free on the website) volunteer as a Prayer Warrior on the worldwide 24-Hr. Prayerchain, or Register as a Lay Monk with the Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order (Become a Monk).

Current facilities are not felt to be suitable for the ministry's long-term goals and projected growth. Needs include a larger property, public gardens and monastery; larger guest-house for visiting Knights of Prayer ™ Monks and the general public; chapel and Christian retreat center. The objective is an Interdenominational Christian Sanctuary; born-again Christian, Bible-believing; open to the public. A beautiful natural area and gardens dedicated to peacefulness, prayer, and contemplative solitude; a witness to the truth, glory, and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

The Purpose and Mission of The Prayer Foundation™: to Promote and Encourage an Increased and Deeper Life of Prayer Among All Christians, while Presenting a Clear Gospel Message

The Prayer Foundation ™ and its Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order believe that their mission and purpose; to bring the entire Church into a deeper life of prayer; is one of the most important callings of our time.

The objective is to bring all individual Christians, regardless of Denominational or Church affiliation, into a deeper walk with Christ, through the Word of God and Prayer, to the increase of the Gospel message worldwide.

Thank you for your prayers and participation in this Ministry of personal prayer growth and global Gospel witness.

From: 79 Countries (over half--nearly 58%--of our Site visitors are from outside of the U.S.A.).

Breakdown of approx. 900,000 Monthly "Hits" by Site visitors according to Country: