In Mark 11:17, Jesus said: “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’”  His words regarding the temple remind us of some principles regarding our houses of worship today:

— The Owner of the House: Jesus called it “MY house” – it is HIS house of worship, not ours!  Sometimes it is good to have a “sense of ownership” in your local church, but there are also times when we need to “take our hands off of it”!  It is not ours; it is HIS!  We need to trust Him with it. 

— The Purpose of the House: “a house of PRAYER” – too often we have made our churches houses of every kind of activity BUT prayer!  Consider: how many minutes are actually spent in prayer each week in your church? 

— The Inclusiveness of the House: “for ALL the nations.”  None are to be rejected who will come to worship with a genuine heart.  We are to be as inclusive as God is. 

Jesus’ words remind us that the church is not our “club.”  It is HIS house; of PRAYER; for ALL nations!