A House Of Prayer

My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations... Mark 11:17 (nlt)

Three times, in Matthew, Mark, & Luke, Jesus made the statement we read above. Three times he emphasized what the atmosphere of his house was supposed to be. Jesus didn't just make this statement simply to inform people, but also to correct what was an obvious problem in his day and ours as well. Name everything that happens at your local church. Adult, youth, and kids services, support groups, meetings, classes, activities, and yes, even prayer slips in there sometimes. I heard one person say, "You can have a concert at the church and pack the place out, but offer a prayer service and you're lucky to get 10 people. People will come for an artist, but Jesus can't draw a crowd!"

Unfortunately, this is more true than most of us would like to admit, not only in America in general but in our local churches specifically. It's amazing just how intentional we are to get to work, family functions, and personal appointments but God can't get on our calendar even for a few hours per week outside of our "semi-regular commitment" to a weekend service. My fear isn't so much the lack of prayer, but my greater fear is that we think everything is OK. We are very quickly turning into the Christians mentioned in 2 Timothy 3.

¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. - 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (niv - emphasis mine)

What is the solution to this ungodly description? How do we stop being the great fakes and become authentic believers with salvation AND power? I believe it begins with a renewed commitment to prayer. At first it may only be scheduled and routine. Prayer is the LAST thing the devil wants you to do. That's why it's always so hard. He will do everything possible to keep you from it. But when you get reconnected to the source you will experience the power your life has been missing and so desperately needing.

Turn off the radio in the car and pray. At least then you know you will have 2 opportunities per day (plus it may keep your road rage to a minimum). Join us on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. for worship & prayer in the sanctuary at Central. Corporate prayer can be powerful & effective. Doing nothing won't help. Schedule time with God today and watch things begin to turn around.