WHY GOD'S PEOPLE SHOULD WORSHIP AND PRAY NIGHT AND DAY (PART 2)
We left off in the last blog looking at the first 3 reasons why night and day prayer is important. First it’s because He is worthy of this response from His people. Second, because He first called Israel to be a nation of priests. Third, because there is a pattern in heaven that we can follow as we pray for it to be on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6).
Let’s look at a few more foundational ideas that show us why we should be worshipping and praying night and day.
#4 - HE CALLS ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES TO BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
Not only did the LORD redeem Israel unto Himself to be a priestly people, but He calls all nations and peoples to be a Kingdom of Priests to him:
“…made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6)
“For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood. Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)
This is what we were redeemed UNTO. It will be our eternal occupation to enjoy God and give Him our worship. But it is not only the next age - we worship Him now. We make offerings with the sacrifice of our praise: the worship from our lips and mouths.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)
It’s not the sacrifice of bulls and goats that He is looking for - He is looking for praise and thanksgiving: Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. (Psalm 50:13-14)
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; (Psalm 50:23)
It really is the central reason we were created and exist: to praise and glorify God. The intention of God from the beginning was for us to be close to His heart and to be in the image of His Son.
#5 - A LONGING FOR HIS RETURN AND A CRY FOR JUSTICE & RESTORATION
Jesus connected the timing of His return and hinged His return to a time on the earth when His people would be crying out for Him: “You shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:38)
Our hearts long for the Day when the Son of Man will come and make all the wrong things right, defend and avenge His people: “Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him” (Luke 18:7)
#6 - GOD’S ZEAL FOR JERUSALEM AND THE ETERNAL DAVIDIC KINGDOM
God has great zeal to restore Jerusalem and set up His eternal Davidic Kingdom there. (Isaiah 62, 2 Sam 7, Ezekiel 34 & 37, Zechariah 8) He says that He will not keep quiet for the cause of Zion and will not rest until He saves and establishes Jerusalem as a praise in the earth. He desires watchmen with this same incessant desire that He has. “Watchmen on the walls day and night” is specifically connected to God’s unending zeal for Jerusalem.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
#7 - OBEDIENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THE APOSTLE PAUL’S WRITINGS
The New Testament shows that regular prayer was a normal rhythm in the early church.
“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42)
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God...” (Acts 2:46)
Also, we should take seriously the Apostle Paul’s charge and example to pray without ceasing:
“pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17)
“Night and day we pray most earnestly…” (1 Thess. 3:10)
These are some of the Biblical reasons I see for praying and worshiping night and day. What are some other reasons the church should worship night and day that come to your mind when you look at the Scriptures? Comment below.
