January 23, 2021 (Friday)
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). This is the Scripture quoted by Jesus when he drove out the money changers, merchants, animals and their keepers from the Temple. The Court of the Gentiles was where the business was taking place.
God had promised a temple for all nations, and when the Temple was built, the Court of the Gentiles fulfilled that ideal.
The promise was kept, but there was more to be done. Only the priests and Levites were allowed in the Holy Place, which adjoined the Holy of Holies, separated by a thick curtain perhaps 75 feet high.Only Jewish men were allowed in the neighboring courts, and the court of women, along with the court of the gentiles, were at the outer limits of the Temple area.
The fulfilment of Isaiah’s promise of a Temple for all nations (gentiles) was not to be completed until that curtain, that separated the Mercy Seat of God from the rest of the place of worship, was torn in half, giving everyone access to God. That happened when Jesus was dying on the cross.
We all know now that we can pray to God anywhere, at any time.
The Temple was destroyed by enemies, rebuilt, then destroyed again by other enemies, and all that remains today is one of the outer walls, to which people come every day, from around the world, to pray. Many write out their prayer on paper, fold it, and leave it in a crevice of the wall.
Jesus, our Lord and perfect teacher, taught us that the kingdom of God is spiritual in its nature, and exists in the hearts of people who become part of that kingdom by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We now know that the kingdom of God exists in the hearts of believers, wherever they are. And the place of prayer can be a Temple, a house, a desert, a forest, a lake, an ocean, or wherever believers are.
And so, just as the Bible closes by saying, “Whosover will” may come to Christ, God is telling us that “whosover will” may pray, wherever they are, at any hour of the day or night.
Where is the “House of Prayer” today? If you are a child of God, it’s wherever you are. It may be a residence, a church building, an airplane or a submarine. You are invited by the King of kings and the Lord of lords to pray. The invitation of Jesus applies to prayer: “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden.”
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COME NOW AND PRAY
Words, Emu Music Australia
Contemporary
Come now and pray
See him anew
Cast all your cares on him
Because he cares for you
Come now and pray
Pour out your soul
He knows your heart’s desire
So turn to him and call
Come now and pray
Now is the hour
We fight not flesh and blood
And only with his power
Come now and pray
You’re not alone
All heaven’s silent as
He listens from his throne
Come now and pray
See him anew
Cast all your cares on him
Because he cares for you
Because he cares for you