3 My House A House of Prayer 10 When the Church Fasts 17 When the Church Says Amen! 24 When the Church Praises 31 When the Church Intercedes Power Up! The House of Prayer July

Jesus lived & taught a life of prayer

My House Will Be Called a House of Prayer Matt 21:12-17, Isa 56:6-8, Jn 2:13-25

What is your idea on… What is God’s idea on… “the house of God”?

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them,“ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matt 21:12-17

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” Why was Jesus livid and acted like a mad man?

Temple Worship in the OT  Solomon’s Temple, BC  Second Temple: rebuilt under Ezra & Nehemiah’s leadership in 539 BC  Worship in the temple was primarily on sacrificial offerings and praise to God through music.

Temple Worship During Jesus’ Time

Wailing Wall in Jerusalem Today

1. The worship team did not honor God. 2. The outsiders were sidelined. 3. The lame & blind were not ministered to. 4. The children were not welcomed. God was not honored in His own House ! Prophet Isaiah’s vision in Isa 56:1-8 not fulfilled.

1.The spiritual leaders honor God by how they serve Him. 2.The outsiders are led into God’s presence. 3.The blind and broken find healing and restoration. 4.The children praise and worship God. We need a God-atmosphere (prayer) in the House! My House will be called a House of Prayer for all peoples! Not a den of robbers.

 Acts 2: Upper room prayer meeting >>> Holy Spirit fire fell >>> Peter preached & 5,000 got saved  Acts 4: Peter & John were threatened not to preach >>> thrown into prison >>> upon release went to the prayer meeting >>> prayed for “great boldness”. The early church was birthed through prayer.

1 Tim 2:1 “first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…” 1 Tim 4:8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” Heb 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. The early church was instructed to pray.

3 Kinds of Churches 1.The Church That Prays in Crisis >> Prayers mostly centre on problems & needs. 2. The Church With A Prayer Ministry >> The church is intentional about prayer but prayer ministry is one of the ministries. >> The prayer ministry becomes the driving engine of the church.

3 Kinds of Churches 3. The Praying Church Prayer is at the heart of every ministry. Encourages every family & ministry to first of all, pray. Teaches and trains believers to pray. Builds a culture of prayer. Leaders attend prayer meetings to spend time with God, to draw on His strength. Moves in a variety of prayer & intercession. Finds joy in seeking God, because it is communion with God.