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| Grandchildren in concert |
God has certain
‘dress standards’ for His people. His requirement for priests was holiness when
they came into His presence. The book of Leviticus stresses this fact over and
over again. God delights also in the prayers of His people. Isaiah 56:7: ‘these
I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer...for
my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ That applies to a
future temple but at the same time there is a glorious principle to apply to
ourselves. We are the “household of God” (Hebrews 3:6) as well as being His
temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) Such being the case implies God wants us all
to be a ‘house of prayer’. That means we
must worship and serve Him in the beauty of Holiness. To approach Him otherwise
is to be denied a hearing. Why? Isaiah 57:15: ‘this is what the high and lofty
One says ―he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and
lofty place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit’…’
We must consider
holiness as the atmosphere of ‘the house of prayer.’ Within the house will be
hanging various garments in which to be dressed when talking with the
Lord. Philippians 4:6 reveals some
different clothes hanging up and waiting for us to ‘put on.’ ‘Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.’ Paul repeats a similar point to Timothy in
1Timothy 2:1–2.
In 1 Thessalonians
5:16 the readers were urged to pray continually. This is impossible if it
implies without a break. God however does the impossible even with His ‘house
of clay.’ His purpose is to have the Holy Spirit exercise His delight in praying
in His house (Romans 8:26–27). Only then can we be in an unceasing prayer mode.
As we walk, talk, sit and sing, the Holy Spirit prays freely in His prayer
chapel. When we stumble the Holy Spirit’s prayers are stifled by a grieving
process. Our garment is soiled, spoiled and defiled by unholiness (Ephesians 4:21–30).
Fortunately there is provision for our cleansing and restoring His prayer ministry.
He wants to take us to the cleaner. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ (1
John 1:9)
Being a moveable
spiritual house for God means He can place us anywhere. Circumstances which we
may or may not like or choose can be turned into prayer matters. He does this
so as to achieve His purposes. There often is needed an effort of the will not
to allow a negative attitude to prevail over us in unpleasant situations. A consciousness
of the situation helps to choose the right ‘gear’ to make our request to the
Lord. Should we be called upon to confront seditious, cunning and depraved
leaders we will need Christ’s Battle gear. Remember Ephesians 6:10–18. We are
Christ’s commandos defending Truth and Righteousness.
Being a pastor
means there are times to be ‘dressed’ in the robes of a shepherd. This ‘robe’
is made for the heart as well as the mind. We are not only to feed the ‘flock’
but protect it from the wolves and robbers by using the Lord’s rod and staff.
Sheep can be mauled or do self harm. It is then our oil of specific prayer and
godly wisdom is to be applied where they are and as it is needed.
There
are many more ‘clothing choices’ we could consider. Pursue that at your
leisure. However there is one type of garment for an effective prayer life
within ‘the house.’ This is strictly for a husband and also a father. This is
perhaps the most demanding apparel because it is the one most often worn. The
tragedy of Christian homes falling apart is due in no small part because the
husband/father is not properly ‘dressed or groomed.’ Unfortunate but true it
applies to those in ministry households.
Men
should seek the ‘spiritual ‘tailor’ to fashion a designer suit to wear at home
with the family. He has set out specifications in 1 Peter 3:7. Ephesians 5:25–33.
6:4. 1Timothy 3:1-10. The garment best designed for this setting would be the
relaxed casual suit tailored for all household activities. This ‘suit’ will
need regular cleaning. However by the grace of God the knees never wear out,
the shoulders refuse to sag, it will not be too small or large or go out of
date. God’s prayer suit for a husband/father is the most precious garment in
the ‘wardrobe.’ What is the more
remarkable about such a ‘suit’ is it can be duplicated in the lives of the
children, especially the boys. There can be no greater joy for a godly father than to
witness his children seeking the heart of God. What a thrill to see their desire
to be dressed in a similar style to dad.
Request: Lord, Are
there items in my ‘wardrobe’ needing removal, mending, dusting down or added too
once again? Be Thou my Tailor for whatever task you have in mind for me. Amen.
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