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March 30, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n A House of Prayer<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe was teaching them: \u2018Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?\u2019\u201d Mark 11:17a (CSB)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Note<\/strong>: Today\u2019s devotion is part of our Holy Week series! Journey with us as we experience the power of Jesus\u2019 love, remember His sacrifice, and walk in the victory of His resurrection. We pray this series prepares your heart for the joy of Easter. Subscribe now.<\/em><\/p>\n For years, prayer was challenging for me. I felt confused about the right words to say or what the point of prayer even was. Didn\u2019t God have it all figured out anyway? Would my prayers make a difference?<\/p>\n In high school, one of my first Christian friends prayed all the time. No matter the situation, no matter how hopeless or trivial, she would be the first to turn to me and say, \u201cWe should pray.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be honest \u2014 I often didn\u2019t pray with her. This was early in my relationship with God, and I was still finding my way. At that time, and many times since then, I felt that prayer seemed like a waste of time.<\/p>\n Shouldn\u2019t I actually be doing something? Isn\u2019t there some action I can take? What good does it do to sit here and utter some words under my breath?<\/em><\/p>\n Years later, I read the words of Isaiah 31:1: \u201cWoe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the abundance of chariots and in the large number of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel, and they do not seek the\u00a0LORD\u201d<\/em> (CSB).<\/p>\n I finally realized prayer isn\u2019t a waste of time; it\u2019s an acknowledgment that no one on earth is more powerful than God.<\/p>\n When we pray, we magnify the work of Jesus. During Holy Week, before He went to the cross, Jesus walked into the temple and reminded anyone who would listen that God\u2019s people are a people of prayer, that prayer is available to everyone, and that we each have the honor of coming before the God of the universe to talk to Him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was teaching them: \u2018Is it not written, My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations<\/strong>?\u2019\u201d<\/em> (Mark 11:17a).<\/p>\n We may have a lot of differences \u2014 ethnicities and cultures, upbringings and life experiences \u2014 but prayer is a gift available to all of us, no matter who we are or where we come from. It has the power to bring us all together as we bring our requests to God.<\/p>\n Prayer is not only about talking but listening, believing, and trusting. It\u2019s about adoring, resting, and enjoying God\u2019s presence. Through prayer, we pour out our hearts, anxieties, needs, and affections \u2014 and we receive God\u2019s grace, peace, and purpose. We receive His gift of unity.<\/p>\n This Holy Week, let us remember we have the gift of prayer at our disposal always.<\/p>\n Father, help us to remember that we are a people of prayer and that we can always boldly approach Your throne of grace. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Holy Week has begun, and we don\u2019t want you to miss a moment of what God is going to do. For eight days, we\u2019re slowing down together to remember what Jesus accomplished on the cross and why it still steadies us today. If you haven\u2019t already, be sure to subscribe to receive our Encouragement for Today<\/em> Devotions delivered straight to your inbox all week long \u2014 along with daily biblical encouragement throughout the year. And as you walk through these Holy Week reflections, we\u2019d love to hear how God is meeting you. Has a scripture shifted your perspective? Has a quiet moment with the Lord deepened your faith? Your story could strengthen someone else\u2019s. When you\u2019re ready, share how this Holy Week series has impacted your faith. We\u2019re grateful to walk this sacred week with you.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s devotion writer, Kristel Acevedo, is a wife, mom, ministry leader at her local church, and author. Her newest book, Liberated at the Cross: Peace and Reconciliation in God\u2019s Kingdom<\/em>, is a six-week interactive Bible study. She loves connecting with other women on Instagram, where she shares encouragement, Scripture, and snippets of everyday life. Find out more about Kristel and her books here!<\/p>\n Isaiah 31:1-3, \u201cWoe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the abundance of chariots and in the large number of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel, and they do not seek the LORD. But he also is wise and brings disaster. He does not go back on what he says; he will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD raises his hand to strike, the helper will stumble and the one who is helped will fall; both will perish together\u201d (CSB).<\/p>\n Isaiah 56:7, \u201cI will bring them to my holy mountain and let them rejoice in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations\u201d (CSB).<\/p>\n What does your current rhythm of prayer look like? What prayer rhythms would you like to begin incorporating into your daily life?<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 by Kristel Acevedo. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
KRISTEL ACEVEDO<\/span><\/p>\n
When we pray, we are set free from our own limitations as we look to a limitless God.
When we pray, we leave the prison of anxiety and worry.
When we pray, we allow the Holy Spirit to align our hearts with the Father\u2019s.<\/p>\nOUR FAVORITE THINGS<\/h4>\n
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