IS OUR CHURCH A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS?
On the Monday before Christ’s crucifixion He entered the Temple and cleared it of its sellers and money changers. They had apparently made the outer court, known as the Court of the Gentiles, into a marketplace. Jesus was furious. The outer court was meant to offer a place of prayer and refuge of hope to the nations, but the Jewish leaders had turned it into a retail business.
This is a fair warning to the Church. Jesus has commissioned us to proclaim the gospel to the nations. He wants us to be a house of prayer for the nations. When we turn inward and use the Church for our own members’ gain, we neglect Christ’s Great Commission.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we make the church about us, rather than about You and Your great commission. Forgive us for our lack of prayer, believing that our own programs will accomplish Your work. Strengthen us to proclaim Your gospel to the nations, depending on You in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.