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A journey through Lent - 2016

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Day Thirty Six - The Cleansing.

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At Passover Jews came from all over Israel and Judea to offer sacrifices in Jerusalem.

Due to the distances they travelled and the risk of damage to the animals on the journey, which would render them unsuitable for sacrifice, they often purchased their animal sacrifices in Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, this meant that commerce crowded out the place of worship. In particular in the Court of the Gentiles.

Jesus was understandably angry with this and he overturned tables.

His anger seems a bit strange but we have to realise that this commerce was taking place at the expense of the Gentiles who were seeking God.

In allowing this to happen the religious leaders were showing that in their view Gentile worship was worthless.

Jesus calling them a "den of robbers" thus has two meanings. Undoubtedly their greedy financial transactions but more importantly the way they were taking up space which was denying the Gentiles their place of worship.

Of course something else is happening here. Jesus is preparing the place of his continuing ministry after his death. What had gone before is superceded by the sacrifice he was to make.

When the temple curtain split at his death, the barrier between God and humanity was pulled down for everyone.

Jesus becomes the "house of prayer for all nations." As a result we no longer need to go to the temple in Jerusalem to worship.

Worship is no longer restricted to a place, but is expressed in the presence of a person, for in Jesus we meet God and worship.

Bible Passage: - Mark 11:15-19 (NIV)

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.

And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

Contemplation Saying.

"My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations"

Contemplative Prayer.

Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,

Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,

Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.

Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.

Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.

Hymn: Singing the Faith - "Let us build a house"

Let us pray together.

Twitter Prayer

Lord, as we worship together let us feel your touch. Let us tingle with the joy of your Holy Spirit in our worship. Amen

Facebook Prayer

Lord, we know we can worship you at any time and anywhere but it is in your house that we make a special space to worship as your family.

As we gather as many individuals we are one in our worship, bringing our prayers and praise to you as your fellowship here in St Albans.

Lord, as we worship together may we feel your touch upon our lives. Let us tingle with the joy that your Holy Spirit brings to our worship.

Lord let our love for you be reflected in our worship together. Jesus our Saviour. Amen.

Full Prayer

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Lord, we come to you to give you our worship.

Help us make your church a place of welcome for all.

A place of fellowship but foremost a place of prayer and worship.

May we lay our lives before you as we come into your presence.

Lord, show us the way to worship so that as we stand before you we may make a sweet sound for you.

We pray in your Holy Name. Amen.

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Lord, you want to know us and in our worship we reveal ourselves to you.

Lift our hearts, minds and souls as we pray together.

Help us open ourselves to your word, so that we may hear your voice and know we are walking in your path.

Let us come to you with everything that concerns us, worries us, fills us with fear or dread.

Help us know that you are present in all of our life and not just in worship.

Give us peace of heart and mind, in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Lord, we pray that we may remember that your church is a place of prayer.

That while we gather for food and fellowship, we are called to worship in your house.

While we may use our premises for the good of all, they are built to be a place of worship.

A place where we can come into your presence.

Lord, we know we can worship you at any time and anywhere but it is in your house that we make a clear space in our lives to worship as your family.

As we gather as many individuals we are one in our worship, bringing our prayers and praise to you as your fellowship here in St Albans.

Lord, as we worship together may we feel your touch upon our lives. Let us tingle with the joy that your Holy Spirit brings to our worship.

Lord let our love for you be reflected in our worship together. We pray in your presence and your name. Jesus our Saviour. Amen.