The Praying Church - Acts Praying Church - House Of Prayer My House Shall Be Called House Of Prayer Matthew 21:13 - Church Prayer Meeting Power

Pray Like the Priests: Intercession, Sacrifice, and the Harvest

Prayer is one of the most important things a believer does, yet many of us do not know what the Bible means by it. The Scriptures describe prayer as more than a list of requests. It is a priestly work, connected with sacrifice, with the harvest of souls, and with God’s will coming to earth. Let us look at how Israel prayed, and how Jesus and the apostles redefined prayer for us.

Israel’s Prayer Was Tied to Sacrifice

Under the Law, Israel prayed corporately at the hours of the daily sacrifices. Fire from the bronze altar, where the sacrifices for atonement were offered, was carried into the Holy Place and placed on the golden altar of incense. The incense rose while the people stood outside and prayed (Exodus 30:7-8; Luke 1:10). Prayer and sacrifice were never separated. The people came to God because atonement had been made, “for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).

The process of prayer also had steps, as the rabbis described it. The worshipper confessed sin and sought God’s acceptance (supplication). He examined himself before God (tefillah, self-examination; the priest washed his hands and feet at the laver before entering). The priest interceded for the nations, since the incense came from many lands (bakkashot). And the people gave thanks for God’s acceptance of their offering (hodayah). These steps give us a pattern for prayer that is both honest and grateful.

Jesus Redefined the Temple and Prayer

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he did not give them a religious formula. He taught them to address God as Father and to put God’s kingdom first: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:1-2). In Luke 11:9-13, he taught them to ask, seek, and knock, and promised that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

Jesus also said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17). Isaiah had already spoken of a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7), and Malachi 1:11 looked forward to incense and offerings rising from many nations. In Christ, the Temple is no longer a building in Jerusalem. God’s people are the living temple, and prayer can rise from every home.

On the cross, Jesus cried “It is finished” (tetelestai, John 19:30), a declaration that the work of atonement was complete. He had given the once-for-all sacrifice that the Temple sacrifices pointed to (Hebrews 10:10-12). Because of his finished work, we can come to God boldly at any hour.

Prayer and the Harvest of Souls

Psalm 126:5-6 says, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy.” Prayer and evangelism belong together. When believers pray as they go out with the gospel, the Lord brings home a harvest.

James 5:20 says that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way saves that soul from death. Paul spoke of his ministry as a priestly service, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God (Romans 15:16). Our prayers and our witness both serve the same purpose: to bring lost people to Christ.

Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). His instruction focused on praying for workers, and it invites us to become workers as well.

Prayer Changes Things When It Meets Obedience

Prayer is not magic, and it is not a shopping list. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God’s promise to heal the land comes with conditions: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways.” Prayer works when it is joined to repentance and action. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16), and prayer matched with obedience brings God’s kingdom into earthly life.

The early church prayed fervently, and the result was growth. In Acts 4:29-31, the believers asked for boldness, and the place where they were gathered was shaken. They continued to speak the word with boldness. Paul and Silas, beaten and chained in the Philippian jail, prayed and sang hymns at midnight. The earth shook, the doors opened, and the jailer and his household came to faith (Acts 16:25-34).

Pray for Boldness, Not Just Comfort

The early church asked for boldness in the face of threats (Acts 4:29). Many modern believers pray for comfort and safety, but Scripture calls us to speak the gospel openly. Paul asked for prayer that a door for the word would open (Colossians 4:3). Every believer can pray that the Lord will open doors for the gospel and give us courage to walk through them.

Pray for Rulers, Enemies, and the Persecuted Church

First Timothy 2:1-4 calls us to pray for kings and all in authority, “so that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.” God wants everyone to be saved, and that includes those who hold power. Jesus also commanded us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). And we are to remember our brothers and sisters who suffer for their faith. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them.”

Pray for the City and the Land

Jeremiah 29:7 tells the exiles to seek the peace of the city where they were carried, and to pray to the Lord for it, “for in its peace you will have peace.” Jesus wept over Jerusalem and longed to gather its children as a hen gathers her brood (Luke 13:34). Our hearts should break in the same way over our own cities. Prayer for the city can be as simple as walking its streets, asking God for its peace, and looking for the people he is preparing to receive the gospel.

A Simple Prayer Guide

Here are the biblical prayer points to take with you:

• The Kingdom: “Your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
• The nations: “Ask of me, and I will give you nations for your inheritance” (Psalm 2:8).
• The land: “If my people... pray... then I will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
• The city: “Seek the peace of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7).
• Rulers: “Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving... for kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
• The sick and one another: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another” (James 5:16).
• Enemies: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
• Laborers: “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers” (Matthew 9:38).
• Boldness and open doors: “Grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29).
• Yourself: “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41).

What Does This Mean for Us?

Prayer is a priestly work we share in Christ. We pray as people who have already been reconciled through his sacrifice, and we pray for the harvest that God is gathering. Our prayers should move us to go, speak, and serve. When we pray, we are not simply asking God to act. We are joining him in bringing his kingdom to earth.

A Prayer

Father, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, which opened the way to your presence. Teach us to pray as priests of the new covenant, with faith, repentance, and a heart for the nations. Send out laborers into your harvest, give us boldness to speak your word, and heal our land. Let our homes become houses of prayer for all nations. In the name of Yeshua, Amen.

Shalom,