Then He [Jesus] taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? . . .’” Mark 11:17
God wants you and I to be that “house of prayer” for all nations.
Does being a “house of prayer” seem fantastical to you? As unbelievable as it seems, you are actually the ‘house’ of God. Once you made a decision for Jesus, you became a dwelling place of God. In John 14:23 Jesus said, “We will come and make Our home with you.” Yes, the God of the universe lives inside of you! You ARE a temple of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 3:16)! And God’s goal for His temple is to be a House of Prayer for all nations.
Jesus has called us to be a people of prayer. Through His example and His stories (like the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18) Jesus called us to fervent prayer. The New Testament is filled with exhortations to prayer, as in Colossians 4:2, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” In fact, frequent and fervent prayer is one of the most important tasks of the church before Jesus’ return.
Today is a unique time in history. A worldwide plague has forced most people, in every nation, to be still. Christians, all over the globe, have ample opportunity to “be still” and know that HE is God. God says that HE will be exalted among the nations, HE will be exalted in the earth! (Ps. 46:10) Could God be using this pandemic to transform us into a “house of prayer?”
Father, find us faithful to pray for the nations! Fill our rooms and halls with passionate worship and fervent prayer! May we be YOUR House of Prayer!!