Phnom Penh House of Prayer

A flicker of inspiration. That’s how it began for Ruth Elliott. In 1986, a mission trip to South Korea led her to the Yoido Full Gospel Church. She witnessed the fervent prayers of a multitude of Christians. Ruth saw firsthand the power of prayer. This experience planted a seed in her heart. A seed that would later blossom into the Phnom Penh House of Prayer. Years later, Ruth was running a ministry in Cambodia. She rescued young women from the sex industry. Yet, amidst her work, she sensed a need for unity within the Cambodian church. She observed territorial behaviors and disunity amongst the ministries. A personal tragedy in 2009 further solidified her desire to create a space of prayer and healing. A retreat to Israel in 2011 brought Ruth to the Succat Hallel House of Prayer on Mount Zion. This visit confirmed her vision. Cambodia needed a similar sanctuary, a beacon of prayer. The Phnom Penh House of Prayer was born in 2012 in the Toul Tom Poung area. Ruth’s vision for the Phnom Penh House of Prayer was threefold. She wanted to create a space for Christians of all backgrounds to pray together. She envisioned a place where people could experience the presence of God and find healing. And finally, a sanctuary dedicated to worshipping Jesus. The Phnom Penh House of Prayer became a hub of spiritual activity. Christians from various ministries and churches gathered for prayer sets. A new sense of unity emerged within the Christian community. Many found a passion for intercession and worship. The building even housed a cafe on the ground floor to foster fellowship. The Phnom Penh House of Prayer moved to a new location in 2015 when the initial lease expired. In 2017, a multicultural church was birthed within the Phnom Penh House of Prayer. It has since expanded into Cambodian-led church plants. In 2020, Ruth passed the leadership of the Phnom Penh House of Prayer to Lily Choi. A Korean British missionary ready to guide the House of Prayer into its next chapter. The Phnom Penh House of Prayer stands as a testament to the power of prayer and the vision of one woman. It continues to be a place of unity, healing, and worship in the heart of Phnom Penh.