Daily Devotion: House of Prayer

Scripture: Mark 11: 15-17

Main Verse:
Mark 11: 17

And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

Observation:

When Jesus drove away the money changers and the traders in the temple courts, Jesus taught the people a valuable lesson: that the House of God is a most revered place, a place where one can talk with the One True God. A place not only of worship, but a place where we can have our quiet time and enjoy this communion with our Father. And when the Lord Jesus quoted Isaiah 56: 7, that His house will be called "a house of prayer for all people," Jesus was teaching us that in the Father's house, it is not the singing nor the worship nor the sermon nor the fellowship that matters the most. It is PRAYER that should be the priority of every member when they come to church. And when we do that, we are indeed prioritizing God in our midst and in our gathering. 

Application:
There are times when we hear people complain about the worship team not singing well this Sunday or singing a lot of unfamiliar songs. There are also some who complain that they were not "blessed" by the preaching they heard. Or, they notice every single one in church: the big, blue ribbon worn by that church member, the young church member's new boyfriend, the newly decorated church stage. We have been this kind of people in one way or another. We have complained about such things. But what did Jesus complain about? It was the lack of reverence by the people in the House of God. The Lord is telling us that instead of concerning ourselves to such distractions, we need to prepare ourselves to meeting the Lord. Instead of committing our energies to whining and grumbling, we need to spend our time in prayer when we come to church. 

How much time do you spend in prayer when you come to church? Or maybe the question should be: Does your church value prayer in the same way that singing, worship, sermon, and fellowship is valued? A prayerful church is a church that is close to the Lord.

Prayer:

Father, I would like to come to your House of Prayer and spend time communicating with you along with other like-minded believers. Let me have that desire to love to talk with you whenever I come to church. May I be a prayerful daughter and meet you face to face when I come into your Holy Presence. Thank you for a thoughtful reminder, my God. All praises and glory to your most Holy Name alone. AMEN.