A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS

“…..My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. But you have made it a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:17 NIV)

The above words were spoken by Jesus during one of His last confrontations with the religious elders of that day. Just before He spoke these words, He had passed by a fig tree and finding no fruit, He cursed the tree. By the next day, the cursed fig tree had withered. Jesus was making a point; even though He knew that it was not the fruit-bearing season; for Believers, whether in season or out of season, we should bear fruit. In John 15:16, Jesus says “You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to bear much fruit – fruit that will last.”

When Jesus arrives at the temple and sees those who should be teaching the people how to bear fruit not doing so. He is disappointed because He finds a “den of robbers.” He finds leaders who have lost the vision for fruit bearing but are rather focused on materialism. In holy anger, Jesus drives them out. He overturns the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves and would not allow any merchandise in the temple courts.

Amazingly, even today, robbery is taking place in the Church of Jesus Christ. The passion for the lost has grown dim and in some churches, those who are meant to lead the lost are themselves lost. This has led to division in the Body of Christ and even resulted in some churches splitting.  The fire that once burned on the alter has been quenched and replaced with a spirit of inclusiveness, a spirit of compromise. Who will stand up and declare that “There is no fellowship with light and darkness”? Who will stand up and declare that “As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord”? Where are the followers of Jesus Christ who will declare that this house shall be a house of prayer and not a den of robbers”? Where are those who are able to discern the foxes in sheep clothing?

Leonard Ravenhill once said “The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church….grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the stronghold of the devil.”

Where are the Daniels of our day? Where are the weeping travailing Hannahs of our generation? Where are the Esthers of our age? God please bring them forth. Is there a Mother in Israel?

God I pray, revive us again. O God, let your house be a house of prayer. Once more, give us a spirit of travail, a spirit of prayer and intercession. God, touch us afresh. Father, remove the taste for everything else that does not glorify you. Give us a burden for a decaying generation, a lost world. Open our eyes to discern the spirit of robbers that are infiltrating your house. Set us on fire afresh for you in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen. Give us a warrior spirit to remove from the Church every contrary spirit in Jesus Powerful Name. Amen. We thank you and we bless you. Amen.