Prayer
by Tatiana Overduin
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It is written, my house shall be a house of prayer (Luke 19:46a).
Read Luke 19:41–48
Our devotion text for today highlights three main points. Firstly, Jesus’ sorrow regarding the state of Jerusalem and the apparent lack of peace. Secondly, the suffering that is to come upon the people. And, thirdly, the sacredness of peaceful prayer in the temple.
Jesus is weeping, the second time an account of such deep sorrow being felt by the Son of Man. As he rides on the colt, in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus is weeping over a city full of people: people who, on this day, spread their cloaks as he processes into the city, shouting, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ (Luke 19:38). But he also knows that beyond this time, the people will soon betray him, reject him and shout, ‘Crucify him’. (Jesus is weeping over them.)
Every day, Jesus was teaching at the temple, and he saw what was happening. He made it clear that the temple was a house of prayer (verse 46), and there was no room in this place for business transactions. As we live our lives and journey in this world, we often get caught up in the ‘everyday business’ of our lives. It’s easy to forget that Jesus is also king over our finances, work matters and other ‘business’ activities.
We can remember to ask him in prayer for all that we need. In the gospel story, Jesus speaks with his disciples about paying the temple tax. He instructs them to, ‘Go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me’ (Matthew 17:23–27). All worries relating to life can be taken to God in prayer.
As it is written in the gospel, ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them’ (Matthew 18:20). We are reminded that prayer is a gift to us – a way to unburden all our cares and worries to God. May this assurance be close to hearts in all matters.
God of love and truth, please teach us to pray. Lord, remind us that you are there with us when we gather in prayer. Teach us to be grateful and to praise you at all times. Help us to seek you when we worry or doubt and to acknowledge prayer as a gift of communicating with you, Lord. Lord, save us from our disbelief. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is married to Jim, and they live at Largs North, a seaside location in Adelaide. They have two adult children and six grandchildren who are a wonderful blessing to them both. Tatiana teaches full-time as an English, History and Religion teacher; she gained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Australian Lutheran College in 1996 and, in her spare time, she enjoys knitting, gardening, singing for church, writing and swimming. Her home congregation is Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide.
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