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Building a House of Prayer Mandate

GOD SAID:

that His house shall be called a “house of prayer,” not called a:

  • house of evangelism

  • house of worship

  • house of tithing

  • house of teaching

  • house of serving

  • house of fellowship

  • house of evangelism

  • house of worship

  • house of tithing

  • house of teaching

  • house of serving

  • house of fellowship

While all these other elements are vital and scriptural experiences in today’s biblical New Testament church, the only specific instruction–God speaks of four times–regarding His house is, that it is to be a “house of prayer.” This does not mean that we do nothing but pray!  But it does mean that we should do nothing until we have prayed.

Prayer is not an option; it is the under-girding basis for all we do.  It must precede and accompany each and every decision.  It must enable and empower every plan, program, and project that we undertake in His Name.  Prayer is the only safeguard against the intrusion of the world into the holy and eternal work of God through every local church!

 

“Prayer to the church is as essential as oxygen is to the body.” (Anonymous)

BUILDING A “HOUSE OF PRAYER” Myth or Mandate

*QUESTION: Of what importance and priority is it to God…that His people (the Church) minister–inside and outside the church walls–as a biblical/dynamic “House of Prayer”? *ANSWER: Looking at three key “Great Comm……………” teachings in God’s Word:

*QUESTION: Of what importance and priority is it to God…that His people (the Church) minister–inside and outside the church walls–as a biblical/dynamic “House of Prayer”? *ANSWER: Looking at three key “Great Comm……………” teachings in God’s Word:

The “GREAT COMMISSION”: Specifically spoken TWO times in the Bible! (Matthew 28:19-20 / Mark 16:15)

The “GREAT COMMANDMENT”: Specifically spoken FOUR times in the Bible! (Deuteronomy 6:5 / Matthew 22:37 / Mark 12:30 / Luke 10:27)

The “GREAT COMMITMENT” “…My house shall be called a House of Prayer”: Specifically spoken FOUR times in the Bible!  (Isaiah 56:7 / Matthew 21:13 / Mark 11:17 /Luke 19:46)

CONCLUSION

*The church of the 21st Century being a “House of Prayer”–as much as the 1st Century church was (“devoted to prayer”…Acts 1:14 & 2:42/Romans 12:12/Colossians 4:2)–is God’s declared (4 times in His Word) mandate; not merely a “wish-so” or “think-so” or “maybe-so” or “wouldn’t-it-be-nice” thought by the Lord!

QUESTION

*What about your church: is it truly a “House of Prayer”… or… basically a church with an active “Prayer Ministry”? Is prayer the foundation upon which all the ministries are “birthed and sustained” … or… somewhat of an “after thought” (i.e. “Oh, yeah, let’s not forget to pray about the plans that we’ve already decided upon.”)

    • Is prayer viewed as “the engine that drives our church” (Pastor Jim Cymbala, Brooklyn Tabernacle) by the pastor, church staff and lay leadership… or… simply one of many different ministries your church offers, but the one in which so few participate?
    • Does your church have a purpose – driven “game-plan” to build your people and “Prayer Ministry” into what Jesus Christ would identify as a God-glorifying “House of Prayer”–like the intentionally focused plans it has in their other ministries? “Jesus assumes that we need to be taught to pray. Why? Because we have problems with prayer! When it comes to prayer, we have problems with carelessness and prayerlessness.” (Pastor Jack  Graham, Prestonwood Baptist Church)
    • Does your ­­church’s annual budget reflect a sincere commitment to the “ministry of prayer” and for becoming a dynamic “House of Prayer”…as JESUS declares?
    • “Without a vision, the people will perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) What is the “Prayer Ministry” vision (“game-plan”) for your church? Without one, it will be no different in five years than it is today! But with one, God will bring forth “Kingdom” fruit–both inside and outside your church–that you could never have dreamed. So what are you waiting for? Why not take that first step of faith and watch God honor it! (1 Samuel 2:30b)