[18 March 2025] My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” — Mark 11:17
The Sacredness of the pulpit
As we journey through this sacred season of Lent, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal, we are reminded of the call to set apart the Church for God. The pulpit is neither a marketplace nor a podium for political battles. It is the altar of truth, a sacred space where God’s Word is proclaimed, our hearts are transformed and His presence is encountered. This is where the people of God are guided toward truth and righteousness.
When Jesus entered the temple and saw merchants turning His Father’s house into a den of robbers, He overturned the tables and drove them out (Mark 11:15-17). His righteous anger burned because the temple, meant to be a sanctuary of prayer and communion with God, had been corrupted by greed and selfish interests.
Likewise, when politicians enter the pulpit with words that sow division, deception, and hatred, they desecrate what is meant to be holy. The pulpit is not a platform for lies but for truth, not for political rivalry but for divine revelation, not for human agendas but for God’s will.
The Weight of Leadership in the Church:
God’s servants are called to guard His sanctuary. Ezekiel 44:23-24 says, “They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.” The pulpit must remain consecrated to feed God’s people with the bread of life, not the spoiled bread of politics.
Many prophets in Israel compromised their calling by allowing kings to dictate their messages, but those who remained faithful, like Elijah and Jeremiah, stood firm. They spoke truth, even when it made them unpopular. They refused to let political alliances defile the altar of God.
A Call to Protect the Church:
To remove political posturing from the pulpit is not a rejection of governance; rather, it is a defense of integrity. The church prays for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and speaks truth to them, but it must never be manipulated as a campaign stage.
May we, as a Church, remain a beacon of righteousness, holding fast to the unshakable truth of Christ. Let our pulpits be filled with the message of grace, justice, and holiness—not with the rhetoric of division and deceit.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your house is holy, set apart for worship, teaching, and prayer. Forgive us for when we have allowed earthly voices to overshadow Your divine message. Give us the courage to protect Your sanctuary, to stand firm in truth, and to ensure that our pulpits remain places of spiritual nourishment. May our words and actions always glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Benediction:
May the Lord bless His Church with discernment, strengthen its leaders with wisdom, and guard its pulpits with holiness. Amen.