My house shall be called the house of prayer. — Matthew 21:13

We have discovered that we, as individuals and collectively, are the house of God, God’s dwelling place.  Notice that Jesus gave the house a name or a title.  He called it “the house of prayer.”  Many churches are built on gimmicks, on buildings, on social events, on children’s ministries.  But a true house of God is a house of prayer!  A praying church is only made up of praying members.  True members of a church not only attend, tithe, and support – but they pray!  Prayer or communication with God is what you were created for!  If you are not a pray-er, one who consistently, daily spends quality time with God, you are failing to fulfill your purpose in God.  Set aside a time starting today – even if it’s only 15 minutes – and spend time talking and listening to God.  In a matter of weeks, it will change your life!

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer... — Philippians 4:6a

God gives us a choice in this life:  worry, be troubled, be distressed, or pray!  He says worry about nothing!  Why?  You have a prayer connection with God.  You have been given the ability to go to God – in every thing, by prayer.  How can you tell if someone is truly acting as the house of God, or if they are committed to prayer?  They very seldom worry about things.  If you find yourself worried about things, your answer is prayer.  Trouble in your marriage, worried about children or lack of money, attacked with symptoms?  Pray!  Get God involved in your situations and circumstances.  You’ve tried it without prayer – how did it go?  Pray in everything and get worry out of your life.  Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you will find, knock, and doors will open – through prayer.

Praying always... — Ephesians 6:18

If Paul were writing today he would probably write, “at least pray sometimes.”  It is a fact that most of the Body of Christ does not have a consistent, organized prayer time!  The day of entertainment and distractions has set in.  TV, DVD’s, video games, sports, two jobs, the Internet, iPad’s, iPhones, (name your own), have left us no time to do what we were created to do:  fellowship with God in prayer.  You may have heard sermons on prayer, may have books on prayer, CD’s or downloads on prayer, and know in your heart that prayer would help your life – but if you do not take the time to pray, you will get no results.  You cannot pray 20 minutes a week, worry the rest of the time, and grow up spiritually.  If you are not praying, you are missing out.  Grumbling?  Complaining?  Critical?  All a result of lack of prayer.  Make the time to pray.  Set it as a priority and arrange the rest of your day around it.  Become a pray-er today and watch your life change.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

— Mark 1:35

Any time is a good time to set aside a time for prayer, but most men of God, and Jesus Himself, arose in the morning.  Why rise and pray in the morning?  Because it is before day.  Prayer time will get you ready, prepare you, for the day ahead.  I found if I did not take time to pray “before day” I spent a lot of time repenting “after day.”  Go to God first in your day!  Get your instructions and commission for the day ahead.  Build yourself up by praying in the Holy Ghost.  Let the Spirit of God show you things to come in the day ahead.  Start out small – 15 to 30 minutes – and let your prayer life grow!  Read and meditate on the precious promises about you – change is certain!