Mark 11:17
Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but
ye have made it a den of thieves.
The house of God is where the people come together to have an audience with the Lord. Prayer is perhaps the most neglected Christian duty, yet it's the reason for His house. There is where the Lord is waiting for us to converse with Him. Many come into the house, but few take the time to speak with the Lord. The Lord sees them, but they are too busy with activities to acknowledge Him.
The absence of prayer in His house shows the lack of reverence in their hearts. Ignorantly of their behavior, they have become disrespectful before His presence. Evaluate for yourselves a few of the ways they have offended the Lord.
Many come unprepared to His house yet expect to hear from Him. Rarely do they spend quality time consecrating their heart to meet with the Lord. However, they will make time to adorn the flesh. They come empty-handed, enter His gates without thanksgiving, and come before His court without praise. They have no conviction and disrespect for the house of God, an indication the glory of the Lord has departed. How could this have happened?
Jesus warns us. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Prayer is communication, vital for maintaining a healthy relationship with the Lord. It is laborious, but it makes us spiritually strong. Meantime, being prayer-less makes the people feeble, and without communication, there is no relationship.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Thieves thrive on robbing the emotions of our hearts by getting between the Lord and us. They attack our communication to brake up our relationship. Often religious activities are used to redirect our hearts away from prayer. Eventually, prayer gets neglected and replaced by activities to fill the emptiness of the heart. The house became a den of thieves because of the lack of prayer.
Brethren, doing something for the Lord is good, but don’t be deceived is not the same as prayer. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Recognizing His voice comes by communicating with Him. Remember the warning, watch, and pray lest you enter the temptation of the thieves.
Mat 26:41, Jh 10:10, Jh 10:27
KJV
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