My house will be called a house of prayer

 

One day, I went to church, and the pastor was truly on point, delivering a message that seemed to speak directly to me. I was listening intently, feeling like the service was going well, until he shared a true story that shook me to my core.

In the church, there was a vacancy for the position of Regional Overseer of a Diocese. As you can imagine, this was a significant position within such a large denomination, and many clergy members were interested in it. The competition was high. However, not everyone could vote for the new overseer; only a select few senior clergies had the privilege of casting their votes.

What happened next left me stunned. The pastor, who wasn’t a voter, was approached by a campaign manager of one of the candidates for the position. This individual offered the pastor a bribe of a staggering KES 5 million to influence one of the voters from his region to support their candidate.

At that moment, I couldn't help but ask myself: Why would someone bribe for a position in the church? What is the true purpose of the church? And where would such a shepherd be leading the sheep? Would these be the people I trust with my offerings, the ones I present to God? Do they even know God?

These questions came from a deeply offended and wounded heart, one that felt betrayed by the very institution that was meant to guide and uplift. I had to grapple with the unsettling thought that what I had believed was a place of moral clarity had been tainted by greed and corruption.

It was a painful experience that left me questioning the integrity of church leadership and the true calling of those in positions of power within the faith. How could someone who accepts such a bribe possibly lead with sincerity and righteousness? The betrayal ran deep, and the hurt was real, especially knowing that this was happening in a space meant for worship and guidance.

Then, within me, I sensed what I believe was the Holy Spirit guiding my heart, reminding me of the story of Jesus when He entered the temple in Jerusalem. In Matthew 21:12-13, it says:

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ He said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’”

The problem was never with the temple itself; the temple was meant to be holy, to be a place of worship and connection with God. The issue was with the people—those who had turned the temple into a place of exploitation and corruption, profiting off sacred space. Jesus chased the “thieves” away, reminding us of the true purpose of God’s house.

This same principle should be reviewed in the church today. Just as the early church would excommunicate members whose behavior was unbecoming, perhaps the church today needs to be more discerning and intentional about maintaining its integrity. The people who lead should reflect the same values that Jesus taught—humility, righteousness, and a commitment to God's will, not personal gain.

In this moment, I realized that the church itself is not the problem; it’s the actions of those within it who fail to uphold its sacred purpose. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, perhaps we, too, need to examine the state of our church leaders, and make sure that they are not only preaching the word of God but living it with authenticity and integrity.