House of Prayer

Jesus taught many things both by His words and by His example.  We know that He was regularly moving away from the crowds and even his friends and going away to spend hours in prayer with His Heavenly Father.

When He went to the temple and found so many things other than prayer happening He quoted a verse from the prophet Isaiah that was to remind folks what God asked for in His house.

For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Isaiah 56:7

I hope that when we go to church on Sunday we do so prayerfully whether it’s participating in the singing or listening to the Word of God being spoken to us. 

If your church has prayer gatherings at other times in the week then I strongly encourage you to participate in them.  If they don’t maybe pray that they will.

But here’s where I think the challenge of Jesus’ teaching and example rests for you and I today.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The house of God is now our bodies – us.  Are we filled with prayer all through each day.  Could God say of us that we were a house of prayer?

There’s no end to the ways we can interact with God in prayer.  We can certainly give Him worship and praise – and that should be the framework of everything else we bring to Him. 

We regularly need to be washed from our sins and receive forgiveness.  That’s also repeatedly told to us.

We have an endless number or things to appreciate and give thanks to God for at any given moment, no matter how many hard things we also experience.

And then there’s the wonderful privilege of bringing whatever we need to our Loving Heavenly Father who loves to do good things for us.

Loving God, why wouldn’t we be places of prayer when Your Son Jesus, whose example we say we follower was such a person of prayer. 

Why wouldn’t we pray often when You do so many wonderful things for us – and have done so through the years to bring us to this day.

Lord, help us to pause often today so all that this day brings is shared between You and us.  Help us to turn our focus from our own thoughts and activities to You so You can make us so much more productive and contented. 

Lord, make us a house of prayer today.  Amen

Let’s take many opportunities today to consciously interject a thought and a prayer to our Loving Heavenly Father.  Have a great day.