1.14.25 | Decluttering the Temple in our Souls

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Prayer Rooms this Week

  • Today – 7:30am | 12 Bassett Street
  • Wednesday – Noon | on Zoom
  • Wednesday – 6:30pm @ 15 Hayes Street in PVD [Heart/Providence Prayer Room]

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[c]

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Reflection:
Picture Jesus walking into the temple that day—seeing the noise, the chaos, and the clutter where there should’ve been space for prayer. His heart burned for God’s presence to be the focus again.

Now imagine Him stepping into your life. What would He notice? Is your soul crowded with distractions? Worries? Busyness? Maybe even some stuff that’s not bad but has just taken over the space where He wants to meet with you.

Prayer Prompts:

Confess Clutter

  • “Jesus, show me the things cluttering my heart right now.”
  • Take a moment to reflect—are there habits, distractions, or even sins that have crowded out time with God?
  • Name them honestly. Let His mercy meet you there.

Invite Jesus to Clean House:

  • “Jesus, I give You permission to clear out anything keeping me from You.”

Make Room for God

  • What rhythms need to shift so you can make room for God?
  • Is it your schedule? A certain habit? Your phone?
  • Ask God for courage to create space—whether that means cutting back on something or starting a new practice of prayer and worship.

Pray for Zeal:

  • Ask God to stir a fresh hunger in you for His presence.
  • Pray for your church—that it would be a “house of prayer” where people encounter Jesus.

This Week’s Challenge:
Clear some space—physically and spiritually. Take one intentional step this week: maybe it’s decluttering a space in your home as a symbol, or creating a quiet moment each day just to sit with God.

Remember: He’s not here to shame you. He’s here to set you free. Let Him in.