The Aroma of Your Prayers

THE AROMA OF YOUR PRAYERS
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2

Recently I read a blog post by Tyler Kenney titled, Don’t Stop Reading in Exodus. It was encouragement to those tracking with a Bible reading plan to keep reading through the old covenant laws. I appreciated his motivation and delighted in the discovery of a prayer lesson tucked within its pages.

In Exodus 30 God gave instructions on the production, purpose, and placement of the Altar of Incense. It was to be made out of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (vs. 2-5), used for burning incense (v. 1), and placed in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony – before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony – where God would meet with them (v. 6). In a nutshell, the Altar of Incense was a reminder to pray!

The altar’s gold symbolizes the ministry of prayer. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8).

The altar’s incense symbolizes the special ness of prayer. In Exodus 30:34-38, God detailed how to blend the fragrant incense, and warned that they must not make any incense with this formula for themselves; it must be considered holy to the Lord (v. 37). O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:1-2).

The altar’s placement symbolizes the presence of God. God no longer meets His people by the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony (Exodus 30:6). When Jesus breathed His last, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). We now have confidence to enter God’s presence by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body (Hebrews 10:19-20).

The altar’s fire symbolizes the need for the Holy Spirit’s “fire” in our prayers. He helps us pray, guides our prayers, and intercedes in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:26). His power keeps our prayers aflame!

Over time, Israel neglected and abused the Altar of Incense. Through Isaiah’s vision God said, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me” (Isaiah 1:13). Does He feel the same about your and my prayer life today?

Prayer Step: Pray that the aroma of your prayers be a sweet fragrance to God (Exodus 30:35).

Prayer ascends by fire. Flame gives prayer access as well as wings, acceptance as well as energy. There is no incense without fire; no prayer without flame. E.M. Bounds

Grace and peace,
Lenae