The Basis Of Prayer

Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. [Isaiah 62.1] 

My spirit is quickened as I read from Isaiah in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading. The verse above gives me further and ongoing reason to pray without stopping for the Church. Why? Because Jerusalem is the Church. And, how do we know Jerusalem is the Church Isaiah is writing about in chapter 62?

Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride. [Isaiah 62.4]

Jesus Himself told the Parable of the Bridesmaids confirming the marriage relationship between God and His people.

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [Matthew 25.1]

With this in mind, and, even as dull a student of the Bible as I am, I still cannot miss the fact that Jesus directly quoted from Isaiah on many occasions, not the least notable of which is found in Luke's Gospel:

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. [Isaiah 61.1-2] 

With such a clear quote from Isaiah by Jesus, it would be prudent to conclude that our understanding of Jesus is enhanced and accurately clarified as we compare it to, and understand, Isaiah. Having said this, Isaiah's mention of the "Bride of God" and Jesus' Parable of the Bridesmaids should confirm God's relationship to, and desire for, the Church. The basis of this "relationship" is also without question:

Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. [Isaiah 62.1]

O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD. Give the LORD no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth. [Isaiah 62.6-7]

The basis of prayer for the Church, the Bride of God (Bride of Christ), is not optional. This brings understanding to another passage from the Psalms:

Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. [Psalm 122.6] 

Even earlier in Isaiah we find confirmation of this basis of prayer:

I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. [Isaiah 56.7] 

Without question, God's focus, as confirmed by Jesus, is His people, Jerusalem - the Bride of God - the Church. Is it any wonder then that Jesus prayed so much?

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. [Luke 5.16] 

As we can be certain Jesus was praying for the Church, we can likewise be certain of the need for us to do likewise. I think the Apostle Paul stated it best:

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. [Ephesians 6.18] 

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. [1 Timothy 2.1-4]

Yes, the Church today is a mess and needs much correction and direction. However! The correction and direction the Church needs will only come through the prayers of faithful intercessors. This is why it is critical that we establish dedicated prayer, as Paul detailed, for the Church (all believers) and the world (all people, from which the Church is built).

Father, while people may conclude that all I do is point out what is wrong with the Church, only You know my daily intercession for the Church and also every nation of the world by name. Help me to be mindful of how I come across and stop me from saying, or my readers perceiving, anything that is not born of genuine compassion; conceived in unseen prayer and intercession... So be it.