Living as a House of Prayer

Believers in Revelation are described as kings and priests (Revelation 1:6), a term echoed by Peter as a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). God called Israel a "kingdom of priests," bestowing upon His people a profound title. But what does this mean in practice? In a world where these roles are often criticized, ridiculed, or confrontational, how does the church live out this calling?

Priests

God created humanity to be priestly, not adorned with robes or elaborate hats, but designed to minister to Him. In the Garden of Eden, God instructed Adam to tend and keep the garden, a place where the Lord walked in the cool of the day, engaging in direct communion with humanity. Free from sin, Adam and Eve were holy, set apart from the knowledge of good and evil. Adam stands as the first priest in Scripture, followed by figures like Abraham and Melchizedek. The priestly role wasn’t invented with Moses’ tabernacle; it was God’s intention from the beginning.

To minister is to serve. The Levites exemplify this through their calling. Through Aaron, their tribe was set apart to minister to the Lord day and night. They performed diverse tasks: some transported the tabernacle as God directed, others disassembled and reassembled it, some handled offerings and sacrifices, and others baked bread. Each group had distinct functions, yet all were united in their purpose to serve the Lord.

Their collective ministry enabled God’s presence to dwell among Israel, serving as their banner. To minister to God is to tend to his presence and glory.

“I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God.” (Exodus 29:45–46)

Kings

To be a king is to rule, to take dominion over a region and establish your will. In Genesis 1:26–28, God granted humanity authority over creation to enact His will on earth as it is in heaven. This authority was lost through sin, but through Christ’s blood and our position with Him in heavenly places, we are made co-heirs with the King of Kings (Romans 8:17).

Esther’s story illustrates this. She was able to intercede for her people because she was related to the king. She was the elected queen. She found favor in the king’s eyes to get her divine assignment accomplished (Esther 7:1-6). Similarly, believers, elected in Christ, wield spiritual authority to establish God’s kingdom on earth. Our power lies in our nearness to the King, rooted in relationship, not human strength. As Jesus promises in John 14:13 and Philippians 4:13, in His name and will, all things are possible.

“Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” (Heb 4:16)

House of Prayer

Jesus called the temple a “house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13), referencing Isaiah 56:7. A temple is God’s dwelling place, and believers, as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17), embody this identity. Individually and collectively, the church is a house of prayer, functioning as kings and priests.

“Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

Believers are called to be a priestly people, ministering to the Lord day and night in faithfulness and obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). Our lives are to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2), lived in a manner worthy of His calling. This leads us to establish His kingdom through prayer and intercession.

Jesus emphasizes the power of persistent prayer in Luke 18:7-8:

“Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

A house of prayer is not a place, an organization, a movement, or a trend. It is the identity of the church—one new man, Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:15)—that ministers to the Lord, watches, prays, and intercedes with authority to establish the Kingdom of Heaven.