In Mark 11:17 Jesus says: "Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer..." In this verse Jesus is speaking to the people in the temple at Jerusalem, who had turned the place of worship from prayer to a "den of thieves". But while Jesus was telling this to the Jewish people, I believe that the verse is still highly applicable today--maybe more than some people realize.
What a sad cry the church is from being known amongst nations as a "house of prayer"! At one time we may have been recognized as such-- during Great Revivals or in the Early Church Age. But if you asked the general population of the word nowadays to tell us what their thoughts on the church and us as Christians are it is almost certain they wouldn't link us with being a "house of prayer". Whatever other words might cross their lips (deserved or not) I'm sure we would be disappointed in the way the world views us. And while we should never try to succumb to pleasing the world and their view, how great it would be to be recognized as a "house of prayer" even by nonbelievers!
A fire starts with one spark, but it can grow to a huge blaze across miles. Will you be the spark?
Victoria M.
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