God’s House is to be a House of Prayer
These I will bring to my Holy Mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. – Isaiah 56:6-7
You may remember when Jesus cleared the temple of money changers that he declared, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). He was quoting this passage.
God’s house is to be a house of prayer, but I am afraid some have lost that focus. Oh yes, prayers are recited in every place that is called a house of God, but many of those prayers are just a ritual recited for the purpose of fulfilling the duty of religion.
One of the best examples of prayer which should be in the house of God is the prayer of Hannah when she was petitioning God for a son. Read the account of her prayer:
In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.”
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli [the priest] observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk” (1 Samuel 1).
When we are as committed to prayer as Hannah we will see the results Hannah saw. It was her intercession in the house of God which prompted God to give her a son, Samuel. Her son became a great prophet, judge and priest of Israel.
God is calling men and women today to devote themselves to prayer and to come into his house making supplication, offering up petitions and making intercessory prayers for others. It is time once again for God’s house to be known as a house of prayer where men, women and children can connect with the great God who answers prayers joyfully.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to hear you calling me to pray and the commitment to answer that call. In Jesus name. Amen
Message: God is calling men and women today to devote themselves to prayer and to come into his house making supplication, offering up petitions and making intercessory prayers for others. It is time once again for God’s house to be known as a house of prayer.
Affirmation: I am committed to making prayer a focal point in my public worship and in my private devotions.
Reflection: As you reflect on your worship ask yourself if prayer, communication with God, is your primary focus when you attend worship services. How can you make prayer a focal point in your worship and in your life?
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