January 14, 2004

• The House of Prayer (Isaiah 56:7)

  
  

   

  
  

  Isaiah 56:7 – “Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”

  
  

   

  
  

  I honestly believe that the time is becoming short and I was wondering, in these end times is God’s Church becoming a house of prayer as prophesied?  I admit that while I believe 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” is a command to live a prayer life that is similar to our breathing (natural, necessary, and constant), I am not always quick to lay down what I am doing to lift up prayers for others.  I’m trying and I hope I’m getting better at it, but I’m far from having arrived yet.  I host The Prayer List at xanga and I know there are faithful people who lift up the concerns posted there but what about us others who can either never be bothered or who do so infrequently, at our leisure, when it doesn’t involve sacrifice?  James 5:16 tells us to “pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”  Hmmm….when I am need of healing do I look past my own difficult circumstances to lift others up in prayer or do I selfishly utilize my prayer time to pray for myself.  While asking God to heal us is Biblical, I wonder if we utilized James 5:16 a little more if we would see our own healing sooner?

  
  

   

  
  

  What other things are there to help us become The House of Prayer?  Well, the Holy Spirit inside us is probably the most important part but what else does the Word say? (Lots, but too much to cover here in one sitting so I’ll pick out a few relevant ones.)

  
  

   

  
  

  2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place.”  If we pray, in addition to a couple other conditions, we will see healing upon our country.  Hmmm…the country seems to be in pretty bad shape spiritually, have we prayed?

  
  

   

  
  

  I Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  So I’d say in conjunction with 2 Chron. (above), we need to be praying for our leaders if we are to lead peaceful lives.  Are our lives peaceful?  Have we prayed?
  
  

  
  

  1 Timothy 2:8 says, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”  So like 1 Thess. 5 (above) we are to pray all the time, everywhere and without wrath and doubting.  Do we pray all the time everywhere?

  
  

   

  
  

  Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.” Proverbs 15:8 says, The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.”  So we can honor God by praying as a sacrifice, a sweet smelling incense in which He delights.  Have you felt lately that God delights in you? 

  
  

   

  
  

  My point in all this is to urge myself and anyone else reading this to start setting aside our own desires and offer up at least a few moments to pray for others.  There is a world full of hurting people out there, both in the church and outside the church, in need of intervention by God, which can only come as we pave the way before Him with our prayers.  Jack Hayford said, "Prayer is not the mystical experience of a few special people, but an aggressive act. . . an act that may be performed by anyone who will accept the challenge to learn to pray."  Will we accept the challenge to learn to pray?  Will we allow ourselves to used by God in this important ministry?  Will you commit to visit The Prayer List daily and lift up the many, many prayer requests posted there? 

  
  

   

  
  

  I’d add that you are all invited to send me any prayer requests you might have (Click Here) that you’d like us to offer up before the throne of God.  If you have a need share it with those who can help you.  I’d also offer up my site Accepting The Challenge To Learn How to Pray for some inspirational quotes and exegesis on prayer.

  
  

   

  
  

  "Next to the wonder of seeing my Savior will be, I think, the wonder that I made so little use of the power of prayer." - D.L. Moody

  
  

  
  
  God IS Good!
  
  Go Ahead! Say It! Believe It! Confess It!
  
  You're Invited!!
  
  Go to The Prayer List , don't forget the others in need!

  
  

   

  
  

  Due to some confusion as to where to send prayer requests I want to clarify that you can use the email link at Isaiah56 (The Prayer List) or use this link (Click Here).  Please include your xanga address so I know who you are!

  • 3:48 pm
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