After they had conquered the land, the entire community of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of the Lord‘s presence. – Joshua 18:1  GNT

Shiloh means rest, or peace. Real rest and peace can be found in the presence of God. Whereever my soul pours itself out in prayer, there is my Shiloh or my restful dependence on Him.

My personal space of prayer has become my “Shiloh.” It is a place of rest, a quiet resort, a refuge and my sanctuary. It is the founation place for me to be made strong as I walk into the community of believers.

As I enter my church community, I do so in order to glorify God together with them. Our harmony with the voice of praise and thanksgiving, along with prayer and intercession, We come to address our Father in heaven.

It is here that I feel united by our faith. My church is not only a scene of worship, a house of prayer, but a witness to our faith.

Every house of prayer has its own hallowed memories. They would be stories I would love to capture.

With such strength around me, I look at Jesus and wonder if I could ever challenge like He challenged.

“How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but are full of bones and decaying corpses on the inside. In the same way, on the outside you appear good to everybody, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins. “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You make fine tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of those who lived good lives; and you claim that if you had lived during the time of your ancestors, you would not have done what they did and killed the prophets. So you actually admit that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets! Go on, then, and finish up what your ancestors started! – Matthew 23:27-32  GNT

I instantly become aware that I could be in the same trap as the Pharisees and see myself on a higher level than others. I need to bring to God anything that comes to mind in my time of prayer that reflects me separating myself from God. May I trust in His loving mercy.

Back to challenging like Jesus did – speaking truth to power. One has to be brave and one has to be willing to pay the price. While I may not be cut out for this, I must pray for those who are and are willing to risk speaking truth to power. I also will pray for those who abuse their power and for their victims.

With that purpose in mind, I pray that the eye of my own heart is clear. I want to be aware of my own inconsistencies in both thought and action. I repent for all my hypocrisy and pray for those who suffer because of my weakness.

“The end of prayer, all prayer, is praise. Our lives fill out in goodness; earth and heaven meet in an extraordinary conjunction. Clashing cymbals announce the glory: Blessing. Amen. Hallelujah.” – Eugene Peterson