A House of What?

The Temple in Jerusalem was a marketplace as well.  The outer courts were filled with folks that were selling stuff.  The animals that were required for sacrifice was sold in that area. It is sometimes easier to buy the stuff when you get there than to travel with it.  I am sure that is the case for animals that you buy for sacrifice.  However, don't expect to pay the same price.  I eat popcorn at home for about 50 cent a bag.  At the movies it will cost you $7.  The things for sell on the Temple grounds were marked up as well.  It all did not set right with Christ.  Why are people getting ripped off on the Temple grounds?  He responds in Luke 19:46- “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (www.lifejournal.cc)  He compares the sales folks to robbers, because they were "robbing people blind" as we might say.  But what about the front end of that statement?
He could have said, "My house will be a house of worship.."  There is no doubt that the Temple was made for worship.  The deeper you were able to go into the Temple, the more intense the worship.  However, He did not speak of worship.
He could have said, "My house will be a house of preaching.."  There is no doubt that preaching is at the center of the strategy of effectiveness in the Kingdom of God.  He is highly revered throughout the New Testament and I believe (as a preacher) is timeless in its effectiveness.  However, He did not speak of preaching.
He could have said, "My house will be a house of giving..."  There is so much at the center of Christianity about giving.  We give our lives to Christ.  We give our time to others.  We give our tithes and offerings to the Lord.   Without giving, the work of the Lord would not be effective, however, He did not speak of giving.
He could have said, "My house will be a house of sharing..." There is no doubt that Christ has called every Christian to share their faith and their Christian love with all they come in contact with.  However, He did not speak of sharing.
He could have said, "My house will be a house of fellowship..."  Fellowship is at the center of Christianity as well.  The first century church gives us a model of the strength that comes to the people of God when they fellowship together.  Nothing needs to inhibit the fellowship of God's people, but He did not speak of fellowship. 
He could have said, "My house will be a house of..." a lot of different things, but He did not.  He said it is to be a house of prayer.  It is to be marked by prayer, empowered by prayer, made effective by prayer, molded and made by prayer.  Of all the things He could have said, He said prayer. 
If it is true for the body of Christ, it is also true for the individuals in Christ. 
I guess I know what we need to be doing today, don't you? 
Seek the face of God today and have a blessed day.