We need to pray!

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Joshua 19:1–20:9 
Luke 19:28-48 
Psalm 88:1-18 
Proverbs 13:12-14 

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 19:45-46 (CSB) "He went into the temple and began to throw out those who were selling, and he said 'It is written, my house will be a house or prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!'"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Life is lived at breakneck speed in our generation. All of the technology that was intended to make life easier has only increased the pace. A former pastor of mine used to say that there are many folks who have been reduced to roadkill on the information superhighway.

So, with our minds almost constantly pulled in so many different directions, the call to prayer is probably a little more difficult than it has been in previous generations. When we are praying, we are thinking about a multitude of other things that we need to be doing.

In our reading this morning, we came across Luke 19:45-46 where Jesus entered the temple days before He was crucified. He saw all of the chaos of buying and selling taking place. The scene created such a distraction that an attitude of prayer was virtually impossible.

So, He cleaned house! He went ballistic! As He turned over tables and ran non-worshipers out of the temple, He said:

"...'It is written, my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'" (Luke 19:46)

They were thieves. But, who were they stealing from? Well, the merchants were probably taking advantage of the convenience they were providing to worshipers so they jacked up the prices for sacrificial animals. They were stealing from worshipers.

But, they were also stealing from God! The Lord had called for the temple to be a place where He met with His people. They called out to Him in prayer and He blessed them there. But, the chaos was robbing God of those prayers.

So, Jesus cleaned house!

Do you know where the temple is now? First Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our bodies are now the temple, the place where God's Holy Spirit resides.

Do you know what that means? Our bodies are now the place of prayer! Whatever else happens in our bodies, it should be a place where communion with God is the norm.

However, if you are like me, you realize that far too often, there are distractions. The craziness of our lives create chaos in our minds and hearts. Those things would rob God of the prayers that He desires to hear from us.

So, let me end this post by giving a few ideas for cleaning house:

• Get up early to pray. (I get up around 5AM so that I am not distracted by phone calls, family members, or anything else.)
• Have a paper and pen close by. (If something comes to mind that you need to do, just write it down and then get back to praying.)
• Have a prayer list or prayer cards. (Having a list before you of the things you will pray for can help you stay focused.)
• Play some quiet music in the background. (I listen to www.solopianoradio.com when I am reading God's Word and praying. It quiets my mind.)