Posted by Isaiah 56:7
“These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
In this passage we see that God desires all people to come to Him, to worship Him, to love Him, and to keep his covenant. We also see that God brings them into His Presence. Jesus stated this saying; “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44). The first thing God does for those He brings into His Presence, is give them Joy in His house of prayer! Literally: “I will make them rejoice in the house of my prayer.”
There is Joy in God’s House of Prayer
The Church is God’s house of prayer on the earth; it is also the centerpiece of God’s plan in accomplishing His purposes in the world. Prayer and the Presence of God is the most joyful place on the earth. “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs“ (Psalm 100:1-2).
Consider these passages: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11). “Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 51:11 ). “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete“ (John 16:24). Why would anyone not want to spend more time with God?
The Church is God’s Praying Family
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, the first thing he taught them was to relate to God as their Father. John 1:12 states that we as covenant people are sons and daughters of God. We being born of God, together with the rest of the family of God, have been granted authority to establish His will on the earth through prayer, action, and songs of Joy!
Paul was so ecstatic about the Church in God’s Presence he shouts “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4). The Lord wants the sound of rejoicing to be heard from all nations in His house of prayer!
The destiny of the nations is Declared in God’s House of Prayer
God’s kingdom comes and His Will is being done on earth, as it is in heaven through the prayers of His family. The Church is instructed to ask God to establish His authority and dominion in those areas we are praying about (for ourselves or for others).
We are invested with the privilege and authority through prayer; to reproduce on the earth what has already been produced in heaven, and to have things done on earth the way they are done in heaven. “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:27-28). Let all the nations come and be joyful in His house of prayer!
God’s House of Prayer really is for all Nations
It is largely through the prayers of the Church that God supplies the needs of the nations. God’s House of Prayer glorifies Him by praying His purpose into existence on the earth. You have been born again into the most influential family on earth. You are a member of God’s household and your prayers carry influence in heaven and have an effect on the earth.
Be a person who prays for all people, be a student of prayer and of God’s Word, Be aware of your value in God’s purposes being accomplished through your praying. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, rejoice in the Lord always, Be joyful in God’s house of prayer, and Be Encouraged! -JSP