Category: At the Prayer Altar

Let’s read and pray aloud together the following scripture and the Lord’s Prayer.

Psalm 84:1-3 NIV
¹ How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
² My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Our Father in heaven,
Help us to honor your holy name.
May your kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us for doing wrong,
as we forgive others.
Keep us from being tempted
and protect us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let’s worship with “How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place” by Matt Redman (click here).

– JH

 

Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God…

“Jesus has opened a path for us, a path unknown and inaccessible to people before the completion of his high-priestly work. Moreover, this way is ‘living’ because we walk it in association with our resurrected Lord. The ‘way’ into God’s presence, therefore, is no longer characterized by death but by following the path of the Living One, who has opened, or inaugurated, a route for us ‘through the curtain.’” [G. Guthrie, Hebrews – NIVAC, 342]

God has always provided a way for us to come. By Jesus’ blood and through Jesus as our great priest, this new way of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and this living way of Christ’s resurrected ministry means we have access to God anytime and anywhere. Therefore, let us draw near and meet with Jesus through prayer.

Prayer: God, help us to see that the way is completely open for us to come to you. Establish my prayer life with new prayers for my church, home, relationships, work/studies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship with “Sinking Deep” by Hillsong Young & Free (click here).

– JH

Hebrews 9:11-12 NIV
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

“When Jesus died on the cross, he was opening the way for us to come to God in prayer. This explains why Christians always pray ‘in Jesus’ name.’ This is not simply a way of signing off, like ‘Sincerely yours.’ Rather, it establishes the basis for our praying to God at all. Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins through his death on the cross; therefore we are able to come to God in prayer. It is the blood of his sacrifice that sprinkles the sweet altar of our prayers… By his intercession Jesus ensures that God hears our prayers. When we come to God through Christ, all our praises and petitions go straight to his throne of grace. Ultimately, this is what the altar of incense was intended to signify.” [P. Ryken, Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory, 880, 882]

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your blood and your continued ministry to us. May my prayers arise as a sweet aroma in response to your mercy and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship with “Let There Be Wonder” by Matt Redman (click here).

– JH

Exodus 30:6 NIV
Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law – before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law – where I will meet with you.

“I have sometimes thought of this little piece of furniture standing before the veil as an electric plug such as we use to tap the electric power laid behind our walls. Behind the veil of the tabernacle was the Shekinah Glory of the presence of the Lord, and behind the veil of the sky are all the resources of the great triune God. By putting in the plug of prayer with the hand of faith, we are able to tap those resources and find that ‘prayer changes things.’ Great things happen at the hour of prayer when incense is being offered.” [C.W. Slemming, Made According To Pattern, 114]

For Christians in 2022, our prayer life is our prayer altar, where our prayers are like incense that arise before the Lord (see Psalm 141:1-2; Luke 1:10; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). It is in that place where God says, “I will meet with you.” If there is any disconnect with God in life, it is through prayer that we can plug in and connect to the Lord.  Prayer taps into God’s very presence and resources for whatever situation we find ourselves in.

Prayer: Lord, establish my prayer altar/life that I might meet with you constantly and continually. Teach me how to connect more to you in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship with “Anointing” by Jesus Culture (click here).

– JH

Hebrews 4:14–16 NIV
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

“I don’t know if you are like me, but I have struggled with the subject of prayer since I became a Christian… prayer is just hard work. It begins with a diligence and discipline to which many of us are reluctant to commit. However, as one pastor said, ‘Prayer is probably the highest calling that a person can receive. After all, we are joining in a communication that has gone on forever between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.’ Prayer then is one of the most important aspects of our growth as Christians.” [John Wimber, Everyone Gets to Play, 76]

Prayer: Lord, you are my great high priest in heaven. You know my weaknesses, which is why I need to turn to you. Thank you for the privilege of prayer and that I can approach your throne of grace. Fill my prayers with confidence in your mercy and grace for all things in my life. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Let’s worship with “Son of Suffering” by Matt Redman (click here).

– JH