House of Prayer (You)
We are designed to host God so that His will may be done on earth. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are enlisted as soldiers in a spiritual battle. We become priests to God, vessels for His will to be carried out, which is why we are given dominion over the earth. Both God and the devil use our human vessels to fulfill their purposes. Today, we'll discuss why we must be a house of prayer, as we've already touched on one of the most significant reasons for our creation. Let's begin.
If you've been following my blog, you'll notice a recurring theme that underscores the significance of surrendering to God. This is because God only utilizes vessels over which He has lordship—those who willingly yield to Him and obey His commands. It's a reminder that we are created for a greater purpose.
Understanding that God's will must prevail and that our lives are no longer our own, but rather intended for God's purposes, is pivotal. We are designed to be united with God, becoming one spirit with Him, as the scripture affirms, 'But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him' (1 Corinthians 6:17). When God created us, He breathed life into us, infusing us with His essence. He is our ultimate source, and our lives find meaning and purpose in Him. It's important to recognize that we weren't created to pursue our own desires but rather to align ourselves with God's will. Through our obedience, we automatically become participants in the blessings promised in the scriptures.
All of this journey begins by allowing God to transform us into a house of prayer; it's the foundation. I highly recommend reading these blogs: 'What is Prayer?', 'What are Altars?', 'Priesthood', 'Faith - Exploring the foundational level and understanding what it contains', and 'Dynamics of Prayer: What Happens When We Pray'. These articles encompass all the elements necessary to walk in your purpose.
What do I mean by being a house of prayer? Fundamentally, prayer is a direct line of communication between you and God, facilitating transformation. It's an exchange where you speak to Him, and He listens, offering guidance either through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, or through scriptures, sometimes both. This process involves the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directs us on the type of prayer and guides us to pray according to the Father's will. His will is manifested in the Word, which was embodied by Jesus (John 1:1, 14), and the Holy Spirit reminds us of this Word, which is found in the Scriptures.
Prayer lacks effectiveness without the involvement of all three divine entities. Jesus instructs us to ask the Father in His name (John 14:13-14; Ephesians 2:18; Matthew 6:6) and assures us that the Holy Spirit will be our helper and guide in all things (John 14:26). Prayer serves as our lifeline. Without it, we spiritually wither, leaving ourselves vulnerable to attacks from the adversary.
A house of prayer is where God dwells, where the vessel (person) is consecrated to God, functioning as a priest of God, with God holding lordship over that life. This is what God desires, seeks, and requires of us. For God to dwell within you and transform you into a house of prayer, He guides you through a process of consecration, molding you in the way He sees fit to use you as scripture affirms, 'For He knows our frame’ (Psalm 103:14a).
The question to consider is: Are you available and prepared to be a house of prayer? Let's not be deceived; every believer is called to this role. It's not reserved for a specific calling but for all. Remember, we are all called to fulfill God's will on earth, and it starts with prayer.
In the realm of prayer, effectiveness is solely guided by the Holy Spirit. To discern His guidance, consecration is essential. God's desire is for your complete dedication; He doesn't settle for anything less. It's a truth we must grasp: God doesn't share; He demands all of you or nothing at all. Devoting one's life to prayer entails sacrifice. As you commit to this path, God will guide you through a tailored process to align with His will. While your faith will undoubtedly face tests, rest assured that He will provide the grace needed to overcome. This journey, often likened to a wilderness experience, may appear tumultuous, but through it, you emerge strengthened and enriched in your relationship with God, regardless of your challenges.
As you dedicate yourself to this journey, God will lead you through a personalized process to align with His will. During this time, you may encounter what feels like a wilderness experience, perhaps even moments where you feel abandoned by God. However, it's crucial to understand that these challenges are intended to shape and fortify you.
In the spiritual realm, no one is automatically equipped with ears to hear and eyes to see. It's God Himself who trains you through adversity, testing your faith, and heart posture, and building your endurance. This process is experiential and tailored to your calling. Through these trials, you learn to depend on God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. By the time God completes His work in you, you'll have learned to pray without ceasing in all seasons—whether good, bad, or ugly. In fact, you'll be so attuned to God's guidance that you'll be ready for the devil's attacks even before they come.
One thing believers often overlook is that trouble or adversity is inevitable as long as we live on earth. However, if you remain consecrated to God, you'll be equipped to overcome it. As a house of prayer, you are called to engage in spiritual warfare, ushering God's presence into our world to bring about change and fulfill His will. Through this, you play a vital role in ushering God's power into our world, affecting change, and fulfilling His divine will. This authority grants you the power to overcome the forces of darkness, affirming why we are entrusted with dominion over the earth.
Let me illustrate this truth for you. Remember the scripture from Ephesians 1:18-21, where it says, '[I pray] that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And he put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.' Christ bestowed upon us this dominion and power to fulfill God’s will; this is part of why He died, besides reconciling us back to God. Jesus also demonstrated to us how to access this power and authority.
Another scripture that reinforces this truth is Ephesians 2:6, which states, 'and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' We possess what Christ, our Lord Jesus, has. However, we can only access this through consecration. We must submit to God for Him to entrust us with this power.
In the process of consecration, the Holy Spirit, which is the breath of God, plays a vital role. This is because the Spirit reveals all things and teaches us, as affirmed in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11: 'But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.'
Once more, what defines a house of prayer? It's a sacred space where God resides, and humans are vessels designed for this purpose. Letting God live in us and uniting with Him starts with consecration. As you progress through different stages in your walk with God, consecration serves as the foundation for further growth and spiritual advancement. Consecration also reveals revelation, enlightening our understanding of the scriptures.
A house of prayer is one that is set apart for God, aligns with His will, and understands its purpose for God, making itself available to Him. Nevertheless, as a house of prayer, you inevitably draw the attention of the kingdom of darkness, for it directly opposes their schemes. Yet, take comfort in knowing that you will prevail as long as you heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God has commissioned you, and He will support you; even in your moments of weakness, you are never alone.
My aim is to cultivate in you a longing for God to reside within, for where God dwells, there is liberty (Corinthians 3:17). God tends to His own, and His protective love envelops those who seek Him. The sweetness of God's presence is unparalleled; Psalms 84:1-12 beautifully captures this sentiment. His reality is undeniably palpable. You see, my brethren, Scripture tells us: 'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.' This is a promise to a house of prayer, those set apart unto God.
As it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' Additionally, Romans 8:1-39 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Through Him, we now walk in the Spirit, and our minds are set on spiritual things. You see, my brethren, nothing is impossible with God. All we need to do is surrender to Him, and the Holy Spirit will take over, giving us the grace to persevere and become what God has destined us to be. Trust me, you will benefit from this arrangement and walk in God's power.
The perfect way to serve God is to surrender to Him wholeheartedly. In my opinion, it's the best approach; one can never go wrong with that. Submit to God; He eagerly awaits your surrender.
Pray this prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for this opportunity to learn and understand your will for my life. I repent for pursuing my own desires. Your word says if I repent of all my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me of all my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I thank you for this gift.
I ask You, Lord, to take away the heart of stone and breathe Your Spirit into me so I can fulfill Your will. Give me the grace to seek you without ceasing and the desire to study your word like the air I breathe. I surrender to you with my whole heart. Please, Father, have your way with me. I am giving You permission to transform me into a house of prayer. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding, teach me Your way, pour Your spirit of humility and the thirst for righteousness. I want to be Yours. I want to be a man or woman after Your own heart. I am giving You all of me. I am entering into a covenant relationship with you today. You, being God, will never leave me nor forsake me. You will honor this covenant as I come to you with an open heart to serve you as my God. In the name of Jesus, I pray, amen.
Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.
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