Following Jesus into Prayer A Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Following Jesus into Prayer Keyword: "dependence" "prayer” Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Matthew 21:12-13* 12. And Jesus entered the temple and cast out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13. And He said to them, “It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN.” Questions 1. What prompted Jesus' righteous anger displayed in the verses above?   2. What is the house of God today?   Practical help The scene of Jesus cleansing the Temple is Jesus at His most passionate. And about what is He so passionate? It is about the priority of prayer in the house of God. In the days of Jesus' earthly life, the house of God was the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, there are two locales identified as "the house of God." One is the church. The other is you, the believer in Jesus! (If you have never placed your trust in Jesus for salvation, click here to find out what becoming a Christian is all about ) The Father's house, now that the Spirit of God indwells each and every believer, is the Christian. God makes His residence in your heart and in mine, and His house — you — is to be a place of prayer. Notice that the lack of prayer was one of the very few things that provoked Jesus' anger. Conversely, we can assume that the presence of prayer in your life and in mine is one of those things that brings joy to the heart of Jesus! Prayer blesses the heart of God, and strengthens the heart of the pray-er. Following Jesus involves leading a life of dependence on God marked by prayer. We depend on Him for the strength to walk by faith, love those around us, and resist temptation. If you are looking for the resources necessary to stand firm for sexual purity, pray — and bring a smile to Jesus' face! eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2003 by eXXit *Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. ----