As I arrived at church today at 9am, I think I expected things to have that “winding down” feeling; we are after all on the final few hours of our week of 24/7 prayer, due to end at 1pm today.
Instead, the sense as I entered the sanctuary was of a serene, welcoming and yet very much alive space, as my eyes adjusted to the soft lighting, and I realized there were several people here and there communing with God. A woman I have never seen before sat at the “Art Expressions” table, obviously moved and weeping as her lips moved in prayer. An unfamiliar man passed me, smiling as he seemed to wander around, taking it all in in delight. The HIV/AIDS ministry team prayed softly in a circle of chairs, pouring their hearts out in compassionate intercession.
I stepped into the alcove, to check the Prayer Link basket. “How many more prayer links were made in the night, “I wondered. “Will there be enough to go all the way around the room?” I looked up onto the wall behind the stage, where the long encircling chain had ended the night before. It was all I could do to keep the silence and not exclaim. The chain was already complete! The paper chain of prayer after prayer after prayer, from individuals for individuals, each link with a name on it, surrounded the whole sanctuary. What an amazing and beautiful visual expression of the connection with God and one another through prayer.
A few hours later, my son Nathaniel arrived to start “dolly-ing” the chairs back to the entryway, in preparation for them being taken in and reset later this afternoon once the stations are all down. The people I had seen earlier were mostly gone, and new “pray-ers” had come in their place. “It still doesn’t feel like it is something that’s ending in there, does it? It feels like something that is going to be here tomorrow, and this week and next month. . . “
Lord, we ARE “ending” our week of prayer – and just the same I know it is true – this work you have done and are doing in us, is not ending. You are revealing to us, and deepening in us the truth, Your truth, that I AM, YOU ARE, WE ARE, THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. You have us on an amazing and progressing journey, a journey deeper into Your heart, and deeper into our identity as your people, your children, through prayer.
It doesn’t end here, Lord, does it? I didn’t think so.
And I am glad.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Jeff shares his 24/7 experience
A man from our fellowship, Jeff Carlin, shared this last Sunday in church:
When I was twelve I memorized First Thessalonians 5:16 thru 18. It says: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.
I really took that verse to heart and I asked God that he would prompt me always to prayer. At that time I had an ongoing conversation with God that did not end at any “amen”. I truly felt God was with me always. As I grew older, however, I discovered the pleasures of sin and my time with God in prayer came to an end. Oh, sure there was the occasional “grace” before a meal and a blessing on a gathering at church. But that continual conversation had come to an end.
I was torn by guilt and did not believe that God would want anything to do with me. I had gained the perspective that God was pointing his finger at me and shaking his head in disgust. I believed the lies I was telling myself and thought that God would never want a relationship with someone he could not trust.
I tried to remember what it felt like to be close in conversation with God and tried to rekindle what was lost. I felt that I could never return to that closeness with God.
Flash forward to our first 24/7 prayer event here at ODF: I was drawn to God through prayer and back to my knees. The mental or emotional part of prayer that had been severed was beginning to be healed. This started with the picture that John Lynch draws so well of God standing with his arm around me. Not condemning or chastising me, but, really inviting me into a conversation with him.
During this time I began to see that God’s desire for a relationship with me was not based on how good I could be, but it is based on how much he desires to know me and for me to know him.
God was waiting for me to rely on him, to admit to him that I am powerless over sin and that only he could give me victory over that sin.
As I went from station to station in the prayer venue I was reminded over and over again about the conversations I had with God when I was a child. I could tell him everything and no subject was too hard for him to hear. He showed me again that he really was waiting all along for me to desire a relationship with him. Although it felt like God was hiding his face from me, it was me who was hiding my face from God. The feeling of removing the first mask of hiding from God was awesome. I was free of that weight and free to let God love me and let others speak into my life.
The prayer stations during the week of 24/7 were the reminders that I needed that “prayer without ceasing” is that ongoing conversation and relationship that God wants with me. God used that week of 24/7 prayer to remind me that there were no taboo topics for me to talk about him with.
He already knew about my sin and has convinced me that I am no different than any person in my need for relationship with him. God reassured me with First Corinthians 10:13 that the testing and temptation that kept me from talking with him were no different for me than any other person.
Not all the stations will have meaning for every person, but I can guarantee that there will be something for you in the upcoming week of 24/7 prayer that will draw you in.
Do not be afraid of what God will do with you during this time of prayer and worship. God will not let you down. He has mightily used 24/7 prayer to draw me back to him. God will draw you to himself. So, come prepared to hear what God has to say to you. For me it has been that simple reassurance that God is saying to me: "It’s ok kid, I’ve got your back."
Come down this week for 24/7 prayer, and you will see a prayer station created by Jeff and his son, based on some of this experience. Look for "The Wall."
When I was twelve I memorized First Thessalonians 5:16 thru 18. It says: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.
I really took that verse to heart and I asked God that he would prompt me always to prayer. At that time I had an ongoing conversation with God that did not end at any “amen”. I truly felt God was with me always. As I grew older, however, I discovered the pleasures of sin and my time with God in prayer came to an end. Oh, sure there was the occasional “grace” before a meal and a blessing on a gathering at church. But that continual conversation had come to an end.
I was torn by guilt and did not believe that God would want anything to do with me. I had gained the perspective that God was pointing his finger at me and shaking his head in disgust. I believed the lies I was telling myself and thought that God would never want a relationship with someone he could not trust.
I tried to remember what it felt like to be close in conversation with God and tried to rekindle what was lost. I felt that I could never return to that closeness with God.
Flash forward to our first 24/7 prayer event here at ODF: I was drawn to God through prayer and back to my knees. The mental or emotional part of prayer that had been severed was beginning to be healed. This started with the picture that John Lynch draws so well of God standing with his arm around me. Not condemning or chastising me, but, really inviting me into a conversation with him.
During this time I began to see that God’s desire for a relationship with me was not based on how good I could be, but it is based on how much he desires to know me and for me to know him.
God was waiting for me to rely on him, to admit to him that I am powerless over sin and that only he could give me victory over that sin.
As I went from station to station in the prayer venue I was reminded over and over again about the conversations I had with God when I was a child. I could tell him everything and no subject was too hard for him to hear. He showed me again that he really was waiting all along for me to desire a relationship with him. Although it felt like God was hiding his face from me, it was me who was hiding my face from God. The feeling of removing the first mask of hiding from God was awesome. I was free of that weight and free to let God love me and let others speak into my life.
The prayer stations during the week of 24/7 were the reminders that I needed that “prayer without ceasing” is that ongoing conversation and relationship that God wants with me. God used that week of 24/7 prayer to remind me that there were no taboo topics for me to talk about him with.
He already knew about my sin and has convinced me that I am no different than any person in my need for relationship with him. God reassured me with First Corinthians 10:13 that the testing and temptation that kept me from talking with him were no different for me than any other person.
Not all the stations will have meaning for every person, but I can guarantee that there will be something for you in the upcoming week of 24/7 prayer that will draw you in.
Do not be afraid of what God will do with you during this time of prayer and worship. God will not let you down. He has mightily used 24/7 prayer to draw me back to him. God will draw you to himself. So, come prepared to hear what God has to say to you. For me it has been that simple reassurance that God is saying to me: "It’s ok kid, I’ve got your back."
Come down this week for 24/7 prayer, and you will see a prayer station created by Jeff and his son, based on some of this experience. Look for "The Wall."
Saturday, March 7, 2009
My First 24/7
Posted by Judi
When ODF did the first 24/7 Prayer event, I thought, "Sure, I can sign up for an hour, help fill up the calendar." I’d heard there would be creative prayer stations to help facilitate prayer and I also knew I could pray on my own. I figured I could do an hour. The first thing I noticed upon arriving was the black curtains hanging in the doorways. They told me right away that inside was a specialness to be preserved and protected. Once I entered the space, I was met with such a gentle, beautiful, soothing atmosphere I could almost hear the woosh of my soul’s exhale.
I had been in serious need of such tranquility but didn’t really know it until I entered. See, I had been doing a very distant dance with God for a couple years. Not the kind of dance on a dance floor but more like the kind in a boxing ring. Then came 24/7 and as my first evening progressed it seemed like God gently and lovingly took me by the arm, ushered me in, and said, "Shhh, now. Let’s just sit down here awhile where you can take some deep breaths. Relax... Let it all go.... And see how well I know you. Feel how much I love you. "
What my heart was so in need of was rest. The tranquil and creative environment of 24/7 was a conduit for Him to make His presence known and felt to my tired soul. I didn’t know how tired I was until God gave me rest in His presence at 24/7. I came back as many times as I could that week...and the next week as it was extended. I just couldn’t get enough of being there. "There" was God. Just being with Him. I let the prayer stations lead me to prayer on my many visits, but I also spent a lot of time just sort of peacefully blank.
Through 24/7, God had called me to find rest in His presence. And now, I am learning how to find it at home, too. Still, I always look forward to 24/7’s and Sacred Spaces because they are such good tools for shedding the everyday bustle and distractions that batter our souls. I’m really looking forward to this next 24/7.
When ODF did the first 24/7 Prayer event, I thought, "Sure, I can sign up for an hour, help fill up the calendar." I’d heard there would be creative prayer stations to help facilitate prayer and I also knew I could pray on my own. I figured I could do an hour. The first thing I noticed upon arriving was the black curtains hanging in the doorways. They told me right away that inside was a specialness to be preserved and protected. Once I entered the space, I was met with such a gentle, beautiful, soothing atmosphere I could almost hear the woosh of my soul’s exhale.
I had been in serious need of such tranquility but didn’t really know it until I entered. See, I had been doing a very distant dance with God for a couple years. Not the kind of dance on a dance floor but more like the kind in a boxing ring. Then came 24/7 and as my first evening progressed it seemed like God gently and lovingly took me by the arm, ushered me in, and said, "Shhh, now. Let’s just sit down here awhile where you can take some deep breaths. Relax... Let it all go.... And see how well I know you. Feel how much I love you. "
What my heart was so in need of was rest. The tranquil and creative environment of 24/7 was a conduit for Him to make His presence known and felt to my tired soul. I didn’t know how tired I was until God gave me rest in His presence at 24/7. I came back as many times as I could that week...and the next week as it was extended. I just couldn’t get enough of being there. "There" was God. Just being with Him. I let the prayer stations lead me to prayer on my many visits, but I also spent a lot of time just sort of peacefully blank.
Through 24/7, God had called me to find rest in His presence. And now, I am learning how to find it at home, too. Still, I always look forward to 24/7’s and Sacred Spaces because they are such good tools for shedding the everyday bustle and distractions that batter our souls. I’m really looking forward to this next 24/7.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
24/7 - Not Just For Super-Prayers
Posted by Judi
In the past whenever I heard of an all-night prayer event, I felt intimidated. My mind was filled with thoughts and questions circling around what it would be like and whether I would fit in with the "flavor" of the event. What kind of prayer thing is this? Will I have to pray out loud? What am I supposed to pray about? Will I feel comfortable? Is this just for those few that are so mature that they’ll be praying such beautiful and godly prayers that I, in my tangled up life, won’t even be able to tap in? What if I just want to pray by myself? What will it be like and what’s expected of me?
Let me assure you, the ODF 24/7 Prayer week is not an intimidating event and it’s not just for Super Pray-ers. Among the things I love about 24/7 is the freedom to be who you are and come in whatever spiritual state you’re in. There is no judgement, no right way or wrong way to "do" 24/7. No one is watching you.
Through the curtained doorways of 24/7 will come not just those who appear to have it all together in their relationship with God, not just those who are "super pray-ers", but.....
Some come needing answers. Some come needing quiet.
Some come needing to speak with Him. Some come needing to hear.
Some visit every prayer station. Some visit none.
Some take communion. Some don’t.
Some sing. Some don’t.
Some come not even sure they want to talk to the God who has disappointed them, but they're making an attempt to move toward Him despite their hurt and anger.
Some come with a specific focus, something to discuss with God, seek Him regarding, or hash out with Him.
Some come with no "plan" and instead wait and see where the prayer stations lead them.
Some come to confess.
Some come to repent.
Some come to lay down an idol.
Some come to seek guidance.
Some come to continue their journey of healing.
Some come with Bible in hand. Some don’t.
Some write in a journal. Some don’t.
Some come to worship in the center of the room with others.
Some come to find the most hidden nook in which to plant themselves.
Some come needing just to soak up the tranquility, gently knowing God is there, accepting them as they are.
Everyone is different. We all have different personalities, different needs, different ways of learning, seeing, and relating. God is working in each of us according to who and how He made us. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 59:10b which says, "My God, in His lovingkindness, will meet me." God will meet you where you are and He'll meet you how you are - because He made, knows and loves specifically who you are. He just invites you to come and meet with Him.
Knowing that God has made us all different, that He "meets" us in differing ways according to how He made us, the 24/7 designers have thoughtfully and prayerfully included a variety of prayer stations and prayer spaces for you. The goal is for you to be with God in whatever way that takes shape for you and from whatever starting point you find yourself in.
Come. Be with Him. Your God, in His lovingkindness, will meet you.
In the past whenever I heard of an all-night prayer event, I felt intimidated. My mind was filled with thoughts and questions circling around what it would be like and whether I would fit in with the "flavor" of the event. What kind of prayer thing is this? Will I have to pray out loud? What am I supposed to pray about? Will I feel comfortable? Is this just for those few that are so mature that they’ll be praying such beautiful and godly prayers that I, in my tangled up life, won’t even be able to tap in? What if I just want to pray by myself? What will it be like and what’s expected of me?
Let me assure you, the ODF 24/7 Prayer week is not an intimidating event and it’s not just for Super Pray-ers. Among the things I love about 24/7 is the freedom to be who you are and come in whatever spiritual state you’re in. There is no judgement, no right way or wrong way to "do" 24/7. No one is watching you.
Through the curtained doorways of 24/7 will come not just those who appear to have it all together in their relationship with God, not just those who are "super pray-ers", but.....
Some come needing answers. Some come needing quiet.
Some come needing to speak with Him. Some come needing to hear.
Some visit every prayer station. Some visit none.
Some take communion. Some don’t.
Some sing. Some don’t.
Some come not even sure they want to talk to the God who has disappointed them, but they're making an attempt to move toward Him despite their hurt and anger.
Some come with a specific focus, something to discuss with God, seek Him regarding, or hash out with Him.
Some come with no "plan" and instead wait and see where the prayer stations lead them.
Some come to confess.
Some come to repent.
Some come to lay down an idol.
Some come to seek guidance.
Some come to continue their journey of healing.
Some come with Bible in hand. Some don’t.
Some write in a journal. Some don’t.
Some come to worship in the center of the room with others.
Some come to find the most hidden nook in which to plant themselves.
Some come needing just to soak up the tranquility, gently knowing God is there, accepting them as they are.
Everyone is different. We all have different personalities, different needs, different ways of learning, seeing, and relating. God is working in each of us according to who and how He made us. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 59:10b which says, "My God, in His lovingkindness, will meet me." God will meet you where you are and He'll meet you how you are - because He made, knows and loves specifically who you are. He just invites you to come and meet with Him.
Knowing that God has made us all different, that He "meets" us in differing ways according to how He made us, the 24/7 designers have thoughtfully and prayerfully included a variety of prayer stations and prayer spaces for you. The goal is for you to be with God in whatever way that takes shape for you and from whatever starting point you find yourself in.
Come. Be with Him. Your God, in His lovingkindness, will meet you.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Stewart weighs in on the House of Prayer
Stewart Black, whom we at Open Door lovingly and admiringly call our official Bible Answer Man, weighs in on the theme of our week of prayer, the house of prayer:
In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul says, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." If we, as the church of God, are "being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit," then it stands to reason that the things that characterize the place where God dwells should characterize us -- including, among other things, that we should be a house of prayer!
In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul says, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." If we, as the church of God, are "being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit," then it stands to reason that the things that characterize the place where God dwells should characterize us -- including, among other things, that we should be a house of prayer!
Monday, February 23, 2009
THOUGHTS ON THE HOUSE OF PRAYER and THE WEEK OF PRAYER
This is a post on some of my own journey with the house of prayer and things the Lord has laid on my heart regarding it. I hope you will take time to read it.
The theme for this year's week of prayer is "I am . . . you are . . . we are . . . the house of prayer." The term "house of prayer" has really morphed and grown for me over the last number of years. I think, quite honestly, that at first it didn't have much meaning for me. I was hearing it everywhere, at all the prayer events, etc., and even though I am passionate about prayer, it had about as much heart connection for me as, "smile, Jesus loves you," or something along those lines. But over the space of several years, God began to draw me into the scriptural references to it, and it became more real: to take shape, to woo me to Jesus, to stir my heart for spiritual community, to make me passionate for us to know the beautiful reality of another truth that is very real and precious to me . . . that Jesus actually resides in me.
As I studied the Bible passages on the house of prayer,* I found such a sense of welcome, unity, joy, purpose. In Isaiah 56:7 God resoundingly declares the nature of His house, of where He chooses to dwell -- "My house shall be called a house of prayer." It is characterized by and identified with prayer. The very nature of it is prayer. But it goes beyond that. It talks about a welcome for and acceptance of "foreigners," which means me, and you, and everyone else, unless you are Jewish, and already part of the "in" crowd. It feels like God is saying, "I set things up a certain way, with My chosen people, to make a point. Now, I am shifting the paradigm, not because I have changed, but because it is time to reveal new things about Myself to you." This passage talks about these welcomed ones finding joy in the house of prayer, which immediately brings to mind the Lord's Presence, the source of joy (Ps. 16:11, 21:6). It also talks about this house of prayer being for ALL peoples. Again, a place of welcome and acceptance.
Let me jump ahead to the Acts and Epistles. Did you know there is no mention of the phrase "house of prayer" there? God does call us His building (I Cor. 3:9), His house (Hebrews 3:6), and in I Peter 2:4-5, which provides an interesting parallel to the Isaiah passage, He says, "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Anda even though it doesn't say, "house of prayer," we see the early church so explicitly and powerfully living it out together in all they are and do -- they ARE being built together as a synergistic, Holy Spirit-indwelt community of prayer, with that lifestyle of vibrant trust and interactive communion with God being their modus operandi.
In the Gospels, Jesus emphatically re-declares what God has already stated in the Old Testament, and He does it very personally -- "My Father's house shall be called a house of prayer . . ." It is interesting that He does this in the court of the Gentiles -- the place reserved for and associated, again, with "outsiders." The thing that has so deeply captured my heart in this passage is, first of all, Jesus' passion regarding the nature of the temple. It is as if He is saying, "this place is My Father's, and it has a designated purpose, which is being polluted, violated. Anything that is incongruent with that purpose must be cleansed and cast aside; THEN the true nature of what is to happen here is free to happen." And it does; read Matthew 21:12-14. This is the second thing that captures my heart: as soon as the temple's true purpose is declared and cleansed of distractions, Jesus' ministry of compassion pours forth: "And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he he healed them."
As I have prayed and pondered this passage, the Lord keeps drawing the eyes of my heart to that central point in the scene. To me it is epically pivotal. And as I "see" it, it is as if I am watching special effects in a martial arts movie! I am an onlooker, standing in the temple court. At first, I am seeing the temple being cleansed -- tables being turned, money-changers recoiling, Jesus' hair and robes swinging with the motion of His body, the birds being sold for sacrifices flying up out of broken cages, the money boxes spilling open and coins rolling every which way. All of a sudden the motion becomes that high-tech movie slow-motion freeze frame -- coins, birds, people freeze -- all except Jesus, who continues to move in real time. From the center of the scene, He turns to me and looks right into my eyes from across the courtyard: "Are you getting this?" He kindly and pointedly asks. And then, wham, the action resumes -- the blind and lame move forward and He turns from me towards them and begins to minister and heal.
If the passage in Isaiah is God's way of declaring a paradigm shift, then this passage in Matthew seems like a paradigm tsunami. Something radical is happening, all because of this Jesus, this Son of God and Son of Man; because He is at the center of it all; and pretty quickly past this scene in the Gospels, it will be revealed that He is at the core and spiritual center of those who belong to Him . . . meaning you, and me. The narrative of history rushes toward the book of Acts, towards His indwelling of us as believers and as the church, and nothing will ever be the same.
What does this all mean? What is Jesus wanting to say to me, to us? I am not sure, not totally sure I AM "getting it," at least not all of it. I know it is about Him; and about me; and about us; about His passion to see His Father's purpose and design of us, individually and corporately, be fulfilled, that we understand and live out of His indwelling, that the living, right-now ministry of Christ might flow powerfully in and through us. He is wooing and calling us to draw nearer, and to understand deep things about "His Father's house," and about prayer, and about ourselves as His dwelling place, and about Himself, Jesus, alive, passionate and compassionate, at the very center of it all.
The house of prayer is not a physical place or an initiative; it is not a movement or a catch phrase. It is a "spiritual place" of welcome and acceptance and joy and purpose and unity. It is a vibrant realm manifested by the indwelling Spririt of God as He inhabits us individually and in community; as we earnestly and authentically seek and fellowship with Him; and as we live out of the posture of heart of trusting we are who He has truly already designed and called and equipped us to be -- a house of prayer.
* Isaiah 56:6-7; Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:45-48; I Corinthians 3:9; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:4; as well as verses about the Lord abiding and dwelling in us; and verses from Acts and the Epistles on the NT church's lifestyle of community in prayer.
The theme for this year's week of prayer is "I am . . . you are . . . we are . . . the house of prayer." The term "house of prayer" has really morphed and grown for me over the last number of years. I think, quite honestly, that at first it didn't have much meaning for me. I was hearing it everywhere, at all the prayer events, etc., and even though I am passionate about prayer, it had about as much heart connection for me as, "smile, Jesus loves you," or something along those lines. But over the space of several years, God began to draw me into the scriptural references to it, and it became more real: to take shape, to woo me to Jesus, to stir my heart for spiritual community, to make me passionate for us to know the beautiful reality of another truth that is very real and precious to me . . . that Jesus actually resides in me.
As I studied the Bible passages on the house of prayer,* I found such a sense of welcome, unity, joy, purpose. In Isaiah 56:7 God resoundingly declares the nature of His house, of where He chooses to dwell -- "My house shall be called a house of prayer." It is characterized by and identified with prayer. The very nature of it is prayer. But it goes beyond that. It talks about a welcome for and acceptance of "foreigners," which means me, and you, and everyone else, unless you are Jewish, and already part of the "in" crowd. It feels like God is saying, "I set things up a certain way, with My chosen people, to make a point. Now, I am shifting the paradigm, not because I have changed, but because it is time to reveal new things about Myself to you." This passage talks about these welcomed ones finding joy in the house of prayer, which immediately brings to mind the Lord's Presence, the source of joy (Ps. 16:11, 21:6). It also talks about this house of prayer being for ALL peoples. Again, a place of welcome and acceptance.
Let me jump ahead to the Acts and Epistles. Did you know there is no mention of the phrase "house of prayer" there? God does call us His building (I Cor. 3:9), His house (Hebrews 3:6), and in I Peter 2:4-5, which provides an interesting parallel to the Isaiah passage, He says, "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Anda even though it doesn't say, "house of prayer," we see the early church so explicitly and powerfully living it out together in all they are and do -- they ARE being built together as a synergistic, Holy Spirit-indwelt community of prayer, with that lifestyle of vibrant trust and interactive communion with God being their modus operandi.
In the Gospels, Jesus emphatically re-declares what God has already stated in the Old Testament, and He does it very personally -- "My Father's house shall be called a house of prayer . . ." It is interesting that He does this in the court of the Gentiles -- the place reserved for and associated, again, with "outsiders." The thing that has so deeply captured my heart in this passage is, first of all, Jesus' passion regarding the nature of the temple. It is as if He is saying, "this place is My Father's, and it has a designated purpose, which is being polluted, violated. Anything that is incongruent with that purpose must be cleansed and cast aside; THEN the true nature of what is to happen here is free to happen." And it does; read Matthew 21:12-14. This is the second thing that captures my heart: as soon as the temple's true purpose is declared and cleansed of distractions, Jesus' ministry of compassion pours forth: "And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he he healed them."
As I have prayed and pondered this passage, the Lord keeps drawing the eyes of my heart to that central point in the scene. To me it is epically pivotal. And as I "see" it, it is as if I am watching special effects in a martial arts movie! I am an onlooker, standing in the temple court. At first, I am seeing the temple being cleansed -- tables being turned, money-changers recoiling, Jesus' hair and robes swinging with the motion of His body, the birds being sold for sacrifices flying up out of broken cages, the money boxes spilling open and coins rolling every which way. All of a sudden the motion becomes that high-tech movie slow-motion freeze frame -- coins, birds, people freeze -- all except Jesus, who continues to move in real time. From the center of the scene, He turns to me and looks right into my eyes from across the courtyard: "Are you getting this?" He kindly and pointedly asks. And then, wham, the action resumes -- the blind and lame move forward and He turns from me towards them and begins to minister and heal.
If the passage in Isaiah is God's way of declaring a paradigm shift, then this passage in Matthew seems like a paradigm tsunami. Something radical is happening, all because of this Jesus, this Son of God and Son of Man; because He is at the center of it all; and pretty quickly past this scene in the Gospels, it will be revealed that He is at the core and spiritual center of those who belong to Him . . . meaning you, and me. The narrative of history rushes toward the book of Acts, towards His indwelling of us as believers and as the church, and nothing will ever be the same.
What does this all mean? What is Jesus wanting to say to me, to us? I am not sure, not totally sure I AM "getting it," at least not all of it. I know it is about Him; and about me; and about us; about His passion to see His Father's purpose and design of us, individually and corporately, be fulfilled, that we understand and live out of His indwelling, that the living, right-now ministry of Christ might flow powerfully in and through us. He is wooing and calling us to draw nearer, and to understand deep things about "His Father's house," and about prayer, and about ourselves as His dwelling place, and about Himself, Jesus, alive, passionate and compassionate, at the very center of it all.
The house of prayer is not a physical place or an initiative; it is not a movement or a catch phrase. It is a "spiritual place" of welcome and acceptance and joy and purpose and unity. It is a vibrant realm manifested by the indwelling Spririt of God as He inhabits us individually and in community; as we earnestly and authentically seek and fellowship with Him; and as we live out of the posture of heart of trusting we are who He has truly already designed and called and equipped us to be -- a house of prayer.
* Isaiah 56:6-7; Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:45-48; I Corinthians 3:9; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:4; as well as verses about the Lord abiding and dwelling in us; and verses from Acts and the Epistles on the NT church's lifestyle of community in prayer.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
24/7/2009 - THE HOUSE OF PRAYER
From the flame on the altar in the temple, representing the prayers of the saints; to Joshua lingering in the Lord’s Presence in the tent of meeting; to Jesus’ 40 days of prayer and fasting in the wilderness, and His nights spent in prayer; to the 100-year prayer meeting of the Moravians in the 18th century; to the modern day 24/7 prayer movement spreading among youth across the world; and back to the book of Acts, where the early church began in a prayer meeting, God’s people have repeatedly been drawn together for extended times in His Presence, alone and with others. 24/7 prayer sets aside a day, a week, or more, during which individuals and groups commit to a time slot to come to the same, set-aside location to be with the Lord.
We are aware of our need of Him, and so we too are setting aside time to be with Him. This year's week of prayer at Open Door will be March 20th-28th, and the theme is The House of Prayer.
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