In Isaiah 56:7, God declares through the prophet Isaiah, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” This verse points to an important truth about the nature and purpose of God’s house. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of God designating His house as a “house of prayer.”
1. God’s house is meant for encountering His presence
The temple or tabernacle in the Old Testament was viewed as God’s dwelling place on earth. Although God cannot be contained in a man-made structure (1 Kings 8:27), His presence filled the temple in a special way (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). As a house of prayer, the temple facilitated intimacy with God through worship, petition, intercession, and repentance. Prayer requires drawing near to God, fixing the heart on Him, and communing with Him.
Likewise, the New Testament presents the church, comprised of individual believers, as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21-22). God’s presence now dwells within each Christian through the Holy Spirit. But the church still gathers for corporate prayer, creating a spiritual house where believers encounter God together. Whether privately or corporately, prayer fosters a living connection with God.
2. God’s house is meant for exalting Him
Prayer is an act of worship, lifting praise, adoration, and thanksgiving to God. Jesus said God seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). As a house of prayer, God’s house provides a place to exalt Him through intimate communion. When Jesus cleared the temple of merchants and money-changers who had made it a den of thieves, He declared that God’s house should be a house of prayer (Matthew 21:13). Commercialization distracted from the temple’s purpose of prayerful worship.
This principle applies to the church today. While activities like preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service have their place, prayer must remain central. Corporate prayer directs attention to the supreme worth of God. It reminds the church of its priestly calling to minister to God through worship (1 Peter 2:5, 9). As a house of prayer, the church exalts God’s glory above all else.
3. God’s house is meant for expressing dependence
Prayer acknowledges our need for God’s power, provision, and intervention. As a house of prayer, God’s house becomes a place to call upon Him. The Israelites were to pray toward the temple when in need or distress (1 Kings 8:29-30, 35-36, 38). People traveled there to seek the Lord in times of famine, war, or sickness (2 Chronicles 6:28-31, 20:1-13). God encouraged His people to ask, seek, and knock through prayer offered in the temple (Matthew 7:7-11).
Likewise, the New Testament church depended on prayer for strength, guidance, healing, and deliverance (Acts 2:42, 12:5, James 5:13-16). Gathering as God’s house, they prayed and fasted over decisions (Acts 13:1-3), battles (Acts 4:23-31), and imprisonments (Acts 12:5, 12). As a house of prayer, the church expresses deep dependence on the Lord to work through our petitions.
4. God’s house is meant for reconciliation
Not only does prayer connect us to God, but it also enables reconciliation between people. At the temple, prayers of repentance restored broken fellowship with God (1 Kings 8:33-36). And people were to love neighbors as themselves and pray for them (Leviticus 19:17-18). Even foreigners could participate in the sacrificial system and pray to the Lord (1 Kings 8:41-43).
As a spiritual house comprising believers from every nation, the church fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy that God’s house would be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7; Mark 11:17). Within the church’s prayer meetings and shared life, reconciliation occurs across traditional divides. Differences fade as people unite in their identity as children of God.
5. God’s house is meant for expressing compassion
Compassion is an outworking of reconciliation with God and others. At the temple, prayers were offered for the orphan, the widow, the poor, and the oppressed (Psalm 72:12-14; Isaiah 56:6-7). This reflected God’s heart of compassion for all peoples. Jesus exhibited such compassion during His temple ministry.
The New Testament church carried forward this mission of compassion through prayer. They prayed for the sick (James 5:14-16), suffering saints (Hebrews 13:3), governing authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-3), persecutors (Matthew 5:44), and more. As a house of prayer, the church intercedes on behalf of a hurting world. Believers lift the concerns of others before God’s throne of grace.
6. God’s house provides instruction in prayer
Throughout Scripture, corporate prayer occurred alongside the public reading and teaching of Scripture. Nehemiah 8 describes Ezra reading the Law at a sacred assembly where the people worshiped through prayer. The first Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching as well as prayer (Acts 2:42). Paul directed that Scripture be read, preached, and taught in church gatherings (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2).
Such prayerful meditation on God’s Word trains believers in biblical prayers that align with God’s will. It also stirs the heart to pray. Shared moments in Scripture lead naturally into shared moments in prayer. As a house of prayer, the church provides instruction in biblical, Spirit-led prayer.
7. God’s house displays evidence of His presence
God attached clear promises to prayer offered in sincerity in His house (2 Chronicles 7:12-16). He assured the people He would hear their prayers and forgive their sins. Answered prayers bore witness to God’s faithfulness. Even Gentiles were drawn to pray at the temple by reports of God’s marvelous acts there (1 Kings 8:41-43).
In the New Testament, prayer is a channel for God’s power and blessings. He works through prayer “to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Answered prayer testifies to God’s dynamic presence within His church. As a house of prayer, the church puts God’s glory on display.
8. God’s house is meant for training intercessors
A house of prayer develops a culture of prayer within a community. New priests learned to pray by observing in the temple (Luke 1:8-10). Younger prophets like Samuel studied under older, praying prophets like Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Timothy was mentored by praying mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5).
Likewise, new believers grow in prayer by praying with more mature Christians. Watching others pour their hearts out to God, fast and weep over concerns, and wait patiently for God to act instills prayerfulness. The shared life of the church trains up intercessors. As a house of prayer, the church perpetuates a cycle of prayer to future generations.
9. God’s house will one day encompass people from all nations
Isaiah’s prophecy of a house of prayer for all nations points forward to the multiethnic church born at Pentecost (Acts 2:5-12). But it also foreshadows the eternal state when people from every tribe and language will worship God together (Revelation 7:9-10). The diversity of voices united in prayer will be a breathtaking demonstration of reconciled unity.
Our earthly houses of prayer foreshadow this coming heavenly united chorus of praise. Though imperfect and partial now, prayer meetings display the beauty of redemption breaking down barriers and binding hearts together in Christ. The church’s prayer life anticipates the global symphony of worship we will one day participate in together.
10. Jesus embodies these purposes as our great High Priest
As both the temple and the sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the temple in every way (John 2:19-21). His earthly life modeled unceasing prayer and dependence on the Father. His prayers expressed reverent submission, compassionate intercession, and perfect unity with the Father’s will. Through Christ’s mediation, we can boldly approach God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us as our great High Priest (Hebrews 7:25). He gave His followers access to the Father by reconciling them through the blood of His cross (Ephesians 2:18). And He filled the church with His Spirit to empower our prayers. All the purposes found in earthly houses of prayer are now fulfilled in Him.
In summary, God designed His house to be a house of prayer because prayer facilitates intimacy with Him, exalts Him, expresses dependence on Him, enables reconciliation between people, demonstrates compassion, provides instruction, reveals His presence, develops intercessors, anticipates global worship, and finds its fulfillment in Christ. As the church devotes itself to heartfelt prayer, it will align more closely with God’s intentions for His house.