READING: Isaiah 56-58, 2 Thessalonians 2
“. . . for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
Isaiah 56:7
Let me try to put into words these memories I’m seeing in my mind today:
- My lying on the floor of a seminary classroom with several students praying aloud for God’s forgiveness and grace
- Standing with Eastern European men and women in a prayer circle, their leading us in a prayer that lasted more than two hours
- Kneeling on a well-worn, tear-stained prayer mat among Chinese believers
- Praying aloud with Africans who had nothing, but they rejoiced in the Lord
- Listening humbly to Hispanic pastors praying for each other as they sought revival in their city
- Prayerwalking quietly with believers who were risking their lives to identify as Christ-followers
- Kneeling in an Amsterdam conference room where more than 10,000 Christ followers from more than 200 countries gathered
I could speak of more memories, but I suspect you get the point. There’s something uniquely beautiful about crying out to heaven arm-in-arm with believers of other nationalities. Somehow, that’s surely what God intended for His house: “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isa. 56:7). When the nations turn from their sin, forsake their false gods, and trust Jesus, God supernaturally forgives them and changes them. They may look different and speak different languages, but God makes them a part of His family. He gives us brother and sisters in Christ, and He gives them the same. Then, we join not only our hands in prayer; we join our hearts.
May it be that our churches become houses of prayer, and that they become houses of prayer for all people!
ACTION STEPS:
- Do some research to learn about the people groups in your community. Pray for them.
- Look around – see believers from around the world, and pray for them (and if possible, with them).
PRAYER: “God, make our church a house of prayer for all peoples.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 59-61, 2 Thessalonians 3