My house shall be called a house of prayer.
I have read those words many times over the years. Recently, however, they resonated with me in a fresh way as I contemplated the priorities that define most American churches. The lingering question that pricked my heart was simply—would Jesus describe the church I pastor the same way?
Don’t miss the intentionality. Did you know that there are currently more than a dozen restaurants across the country called “The Fish House” or “The House of Fish?”
Whatever your perception of these establishments, our greatest expectation is that they know how to prepare tasty fish. Their menus may offer burgers, salads, and chicken, but their specialty each day better have gills and fins.
In a similar way, Jesus conveyed His priority by identifying the Old Testament temple as a house of prayer for all the nations (Mark 11:17). Rather than occupying a small corner of our spiritual lives, prayer is to remain front and center. All of this raises three very practical questions.
Where Is the House of Prayer?
The familiar scene of Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple is the backdrop to Jesus’ stated expectation (Mark 11:15-18). For centuries before the resurrection of Christ, the temple structure was a place for seeking the Lord through prayer and sacrifice. While no modern equivalent exists, the New Testament identifies God’s redeemed people, not a building, as His dwelling place.
Congregational gatherings, according to the Apostle Paul, make up God’s household who are being built together as a holy temple, which is a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22). Because the early church understood this, they continually devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42), lifting their voices to God in one accord (Acts 4:24). The apostles remained steadfast in their commitment to a ministry of prayer and Scripture (Acts 6:4).
I am not suggesting that a local church is a new temple, but every church should be a house of prayer. Programs have their place. The Word of God cannot be absent. Worshipful music is a must. Fellowship is a genuine need. But prayer ought to saturate everything that takes place when the people of God assemble.
Furthermore, every individual Christian should view himself/herself as a house of prayer as well. Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), petitions of every kind ought to characterize our daily lives. Christians should pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1), devote themselves to prayer (Rom. 12:12), pray at all times in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18), and let their requests be made known (Phil. 4:6) while they pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). We should ask for wisdom, strength, forgiveness, healing, spiritual growth, and daily needs. We should intercede for our families, friends, enemies, church, leaders, and those who need Christ.
Why Is the House of Prayer So Important?
Our Savior quoted the prophet Isaiah in order to teach us that His house of prayer was “for all the nations.” The background of these words was God’s reassurance that, though the Jews were His chosen ones, He was determined to save foreigners from every background as well (Isa. 56:7-8). Prayer, in other words, represents a remarkable invitation, to the Jew first, but also to the Gentile (Rom. 1:16).
The eternal God who created the heavens and earth invites frail, sinful human beings from every tribe and tongue to call out to Him. Whether you be rich or poor, educated or uneducated, successful or struggling, God welcomes whosoever will to call out to Him for forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ.
Being a house of prayer not only challenges every church to seek God for themselves, but it also compels us to invite others to join us. Not a certain kind of people, but any who are hungry to know God. Ironically, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day hindered the very people the Lord wanted to welcome.
Being a house of prayer remedies selfish priorities in ministry. When we call out to God, He breaks our hearts for the nations. And as we seek to spread the gospel, prayer is the means by which the Lord gives us success. A praying church will be a going church!
What Prevents Us from Becoming a House of Prayer?
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day turned God’s house of prayer into a “robbers’ den” (Mark 11:17). Greed, dishonesty, and self-interest crowded out genuine worship and intercession. We should never assume that we are immune from the same danger.
Imagine walking into a hospital emergency room only to find doctors discussing vacation plans, nurses serving coffee, and patients watching football. Despite their friendliness, no one is caring for the sick. Though none of their activities were morally wrong, you would understandably ask, “Have you forgotten why this place exists?”
I fear that churches often make the same mistake. We can fill calendars, construct buildings, organize programs, enjoy conversation, and remain wonderfully busy while unintentionally neglecting prayer. Sadly, many modern congregations operate as though they can accomplish their work with no help from God whatsoever.
Individual believers can face the same temptation. Busyness convinces us that we have no time to pray. Apprehension tells us we do not know how to pray. Arrogance persuades us that we can manage life without prayer. Before long, we stop trying altogether. Becoming a house of prayer doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens one believer at a time. Why not start today?
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Dr. Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, and author of Hope When Life Unravels. Contact him at adooley@ebcjackson.org. For more writings like these, visit adamdooley.org. This column first appeared in Kentucky Today.
