A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

MY HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF PRAYER      

Matthew 21:13 (Read Matthew 21:12-13) “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ . . .”   

The Temple grounds in Jerusalem were a bee hive of activity. Pilgrims came from throughout the world to worship at the Temple. Their worship required the sacrificing of various animals, grains, etc. Coming from great distances they did not bring their sacrifices with them. They waited until arriving in Jerusalem to purchase what they would sacrifice. From this practice arose a group of merchants who sat around the Temple, you might say, “hawking their wares.”   

Jesus, in today’s devotional verses, saw this bee hive of activity and the business of selling to pilgrims what they needed to offer their sacrifices. He was appalled that the temple had been turned into a commercial zone instead of what it was originally built for. So, Jesus overturned the tables of the merchants and released the animals.   

Jesus was concerned that the Temple remained a place of worship where people offered their sacrifices to His Father in heaven. He wanted the people to bring not only their sacrifices but also their prayers to speak to Yahweh. The Temple for Him was solely a place for God’s people to come to connect their hearts and souls with Him. Jesus called it a house of prayer. 

Your church where you worship is also a house of prayer. It is reserved for you and your fellow Christians to come anytime to pour out your hearts to God in worship giving glory, honor, and praise to Him. You do not need to offer animal sacrifices nor any other kind to Him because Jesus offered the one and only necessary sacrifice to Him for your sins. But, now you come to offer your sacrifice of praise, your songs in honor of Him and His Son, your prayers in behalf of yourself or those for whom you care about. Your church is your house of prayer. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, draw me to my church regularly in order to draw me to You and to Your Father. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Draw us to Thee, For then shall we  
Walk in Thy steps forever  
And hasten on Where Thou art gone  
To be with Thee, dear Savior. 

Draw us to Thee, Lord, lovingly;  
Let us depart with gladness  
That we may be Forever free  
From sorrow, grief, and sadness. 

Draw us to Thee; O grant that we  
May walk the road to heaven!  
Direct our way Lest we should stray  
And from Thy paths be driven. 

Draw us to thee That also we  
Thy heav’nly bliss inherit  
And ever dwell Where sin and hell  
No more can vex our spirit. 

Draw us to Thee Unceasingly,  
Into Thy kingdom take us;  
Let us fore’er Thy glory share,  
Thy saints and joint heirs make us.  

Draw Us to Thee // LSB 701