“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10).

We are finishing the Prayer of the Tabernacle, a suggestion for how to spend some intentional time with God in prayer, guided by how the OT Tabernacle/ Temple was set up. The setup of the tabernacle was intended to draw one into a worshipful experience, so it works well as a model of prayer.

Imagine walking through the temple gates and immediately experiencing the wonder and glory of God and His majesty, compelling us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” Then, recalling the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, we ask God to cleanse us from sin so that we can prepare our hearts to follow him. We are then reminded to call on the Holy Spirit as our counselor and comforter, and to call on Jesus as the Word and the bread of life. (Here’s a link to last week’s devotional in case you missed it.)

Now, as we have prepared our hearts to meet with God, we come to the Altar of Incense which stands at the entrance to the Holy of Holies where God’s presence dwelled. Here we worship the names of God. During this time of your prayer, thank God for making His presence available to you. Praise his names and worship Him specifically for who He is and how He has moved in your life. Here are some examples:

• Jehovah-Rapha: My Healer
• Jehovah-Jireh: My Provider
• Jehovah-Shalom: My Peace
• Jehovah-Shammah: My Present Help

And after acknowledging the power, mercy, and grace of God, we come to the Holy of Holies, the innermost place where God dwelled. Before Jesus died on the cross, only the High Priest was able to enter this place to make intercessory prayer. Because of Jesus’ atoning death, we look to Him as our Great High Priest; and with his Resurrection He lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24-25). And not only that, but we also share in this priestly role and are able to make intercession for others. What a privilege to come to God through Jesus in this way—to solicit prayers for us and for others (Ephesians 6:18).

However you choose to pray, along with your prayers throughout your day, it is well to also devote some intentional time to spend with God in confession, worship, thanksgiving, and intercession.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

In Christ,

Judy