We're familiar with the many descriptions, metaphorical and otherwise, which the scriptures use to describe the Church. She is described as the Bride of Christ (Rev.19:7-8); as God's flock (1Peter 5:2-3); the Body of Christ (1Cor.12:27); a royal priesthood (1Peter 2:9) and a holy nation (1Peter 2:9).
But there is another description of the Church which only Jesus used, and that on only one occasion...
Now, someone will object that Jesus was referring to the temple building in Jerusalem when He said this; and, that nowhere in the New Testament is the Church directly called "a house of prayer." This is certainly true. However, the Church is also described as the true temple. Peter says, "As you come to him, the living Stone... you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1Peter 2:4-5). Note that the spiritual house he refers to is that house in which a holy priesthood offers spiritual sacrifices - in other words, the temple! And Paul is explicit in this regard telling the Corinthians, "For we are the temple of the living God," 2Cor.6:16.
We should note that Jesus was quoting the prophet Isaiah (56:7) when He made this statement. The larger context of that verse is significant. "Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, 'The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.' ...For this is what the LORD says... 'foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant -- these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.'" (vv.3-7).
This is a word of encouragement to foreigners or gentiles who desire to worship the God of Israel. They are assured that even though they are not physically descended from Abraham they will be brought near; that they willl find joy in God's presence; and that their offerings and sacrifices will be accepted; the temple worship was to provide access to God "for all nations."
Furthermore, and this gets to the point I'm making, in this passage God is explaining the reason why He will bring them near and accept their offerings - it is for prayer. In other words, the priests, the altar, and the offerings were not an end in themselves. They had one goal in common,to make way for a life of prayer in the worshipper, whether Jew or gentile. Therefore, that description which most aptly describes God's temple is "a house of prayer for all nations." This purpose is most fully realized in the Church whose mission it is to go out and "make disciples of all nations," (Matt.28:19) preaching the good news of salvation which grants us access to God Himself that we might declare His praises. The Church is to be a house of prayer.
