“The life of a Christian is all about passion… Nothing is more powerful than when the Holy Spirit reveals the Son of God through the words of Scripture. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, every heart began to burn when God revealed Himself. When He unveils Himself and we have understand-ing of what He is saying, passion is the result. Seeing the face of God, and then gazing at it, has to begin sometime and some-place. It begins by bringing our whole person before the consuming fire who is God, reciting His words—the Bible—out loud to Him and then letting the Holy Spirit reveal Christ to us. That is why we pray the Bible.” Wesley and Stacey Campbell
As we build the foundations for a House of Prayer, it is vital for us to realize the importance of the Word of God in prayer. Perhaps we should begin with the Biblical foundation for day and night prayer. We must be convinced that it’s the passion of God’s heart. Day and night prayer is Biblical.
God wants us to be watchmen in prayer. He has appointed us to this position. He calls us to watch and pray in His Word. He Himself watches over us day and night (Psalm 121). The fire on the altar was kept burning continuously in the Old Testament (Leviticus 6:12-13). This symbolized continual worship and intercession. The angels and elders worship God night and day in Revelations 4-5. The Apostle Paul speaks of day and night prayer in his writings and through his example. Doesn’t this convince you of how important day and night prayer is to God? But just to emphasize this further, here are a few more Biblical examples:
The Biblical Call to Day and Night Prayer
- Isaiah 62:6-7 – “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”
- Luke 18:7-8a – “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.”
- Nehemiah 1:5-6a – “Then I said, ‘LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.’”
- Lamentations 2:18-19 – “The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.”
- 1 Thessalonians 3:10 – “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.”