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"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Prov 19:21 NIV).

If you are one to sit at the television and watch the unending amount of information - the heart-broken people looking for their loved ones, the tenaciously dauntless volunteers that have worked hour after hour digging for survivors, or the world wide effort and collaboration of our united political leaders who are disgusted and proclaim they will not and cannot put up with terrorism - it can almost feel overwhelming.

It does help us see the seriousness of something we need to think about. Yet the average person could feel helpless in really having anything to do with the solutions and changes that need to come.

We should not feel that way. As children of God, we can have more to do with changes that happen in this earth than any man or group of people could ever have.

Let me help you take in that perspective.

Most Bible readers remember the story of when Jesus cast the moneychangers out of the temple. Let's read those passages of scripture. "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves.'" (Matt. 21:12-13)

As we examine these verses, I want you to note that it says he entered the "temple." He entered the "temple" and then told them it was a "house of prayer." Put that together. His temple was a house of prayer.

Now later on the Apostle Paul brings forth a powerful revelation for Christians to take hold of. We see it in 1 Corinthians 6:19. There he says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

Now, stop for a moment and think about this. He said you were the "temple of the Holy Spirit." What was the temple? The temple was a house of prayer! A building, which was once a house of prayer, has changed locations. Now you are that temple and you and I are that house of prayer!

This can be a life changing truth if you understand that the first thing God has made you to be as a Christian is a "house of prayer." Prayer in faith-based on the covenant of God's Word is the force that changes things in the realm of the spirit then changing things in this natural world we live. Now, what does all this have to do with what is going on today?

Today's verse says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." This is a wonderful truth. Why? Because ultimately, after doing the best we can with what we know, we still want God's plans and ways to supercede our own.

In the book of 2 Kings Chapter 19, we read a story of one of the most wicked leaders of all time. His name was Sennacherib. He terrorized King Hezekiah - God's king along with God's people. King Hezekiah was a man of prayer and one who trusted God's plans more than his own.

Consequently, he was in the habit of consulting God first in his plans. He taught the people in his kingdom also to be people of prayer. When Sennacherib and his armies were coming to destroy King Hezekiah and the people, they prayed, and let me say that they were people of prayer.

Like any of us would, I am sure they tried to figure out plans to save themselves, but when they prayed God worked mightily in their behalf. One night, God answered their prayers in a way they could have never imagined. Sennacherib's armies were destroyed as a result.

Hezekiah's armies never ended up having to lift a finger to fight. Sennacherib was discouraged and went home. He was later killed by his own rebellious people. Again, I'm sure they would have never imagined this outcome.

In the days ahead there is much to be the "house of prayer" about. First, there are people working in the rescue and recovery efforts who need prayer - immediately! Prayers of faith will get them endure and proceed!

Then pray for the leaders of our nation. As they make the plans they must, we must precede them asking God to bring resolve to protect this nation and deliver us from our enemies. The unexpected resolve can come if God's people - we who are called that house of prayer, will pray in faith.

It is good that we have leaders that will do all they know to do. We pray for them. It is also good to know that God's plans and purposes can prevail if we will use the authority in prayer He has given us. Let us use the God given privilege and ability to prayer effectively.

Author Biography

Tim Burt
Web site: Todays Fresh Manna
 
Timothy Burt is a pastor, author, and writer. He is best known as the author of Fresh Manna, a daily devotional and online Bible study.
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