Day 21, January 25, 2020
Prayer Focus: Tabernacle Prayer
TABERNACLE PRAYER
The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God where He met His people. As they entered the Tabernacle, they passed through seven stations as a protocol to God’s presence. Today, these
same steps can help us to connect with God and lead us through important elements of prayer.
1. THE OUTER COURT – THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; Give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4).
As the people of God entered the Tabernacle, they came in with thanksgiving on their lips. Thanking God for all the blessings in your life is a great way to begin. Every day, think of a fresh reason why you love and appreciate God.
2. THE BRAZEN ALTAR – THE CROSS OF JESUS
Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:2-5).
In the Old Testament, everyone who had committed sin had to bring animal sacrifices. Jesus paid for all your sins once and for all. You simply need to receive the benefits of what Jesus did for you
Salvation – God forgives all my sin
Healing – God heals all my diseases
Redemption – God rescues me from every attack Transformation – God puts His love in me Provision – God provides everything I need
3. THE LAVER – CLEANSING AND PREPARING
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).
The next step in the Tabernacle was a bowl of water where people could wash. Checking your hearts and motives and then surrendering your life to God is an important part of daily prayer. Here are some ways to keep your heart right with God.
Repent from any known sin. Offer your body to God.
Your tongue – to speak good and not evil
Your eyes – to see God and the needs of others
Your ears – to be sensitive to His voice Your hands – to do good to others Your feet – to walk in God’s ways
Offer your mind to God (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2).
Ask God to give you the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
4. THE CANDLESTICK – THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2).
The next piece of furniture in the Tabernacle was a seven- branched golden candlestick. The fire represents the Holy Spirit. Every day you should invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into your life.
The Spirit of the Lord
The Spirit of Wisdom
The Spirit of Understanding
The Spirit of Counsel
The Spirit of Might
The Spirit of Knowledge
The Fear of the Lord
You should also ask God to give you spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).
5. THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD – THE WORD OF GOD
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).
A table with twelve loaves of bread represents the importance of reading God’s Word for daily sustenance. With this in mind, here are ways to nourish your soul:
Read God’s Word
Claim His many great promises.
Ask for fresh revelation of the Word
Take time to read and meditate on the Word
Get a Word for the day.
6. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE – WORSHIP
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).
A small altar of burning incense stood at the entrance to the
Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelt. This altar represents worship. The people of God literally entered God’s presence worshipping the Names of God, including:
Jehovah Tsidkenu - God is My Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6
Jehovah Mekoddishkem - God is My Sanctifier – Leviticus 20:7-8
Jehovah Rapha - God is My Healer – Exodus 15:26
Jehovah Jireh - God is My Provider – Genesis 22:14
Jehovah Nissi - God is My Banner of Victory – Exodus 17:15
Jehovah Shalom - God is My Peace – Judges 6:24
Jehovah Raah - God is My Shepherd – Psalm 23:1
Jehovah Shammah - God is Always There – Ezekiel 48:35
7. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT – INTERCESSION
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—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 men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
The final place in the Tabernacle was the place where God’s presence dwelt. It was there that the priest interceded on behalf of the people. In the New Testament, you and I are all called priests and instructed to intercede for others.
Those in authority – spiritual, civil, family, and workplace
My family
My church – pastor, small group, members, and vision/mission
My city, nation, and world
My needs
My Final Three Thoughts as we conclude 2020 21 Days of Prayer:
Be careful about breaking a fast both physically and spiritually.
Whatever you’ve given up, go back in slowly. Ease back in.
Keep the good habits that you formed.
Consider serving in the area of prayer in your church.
Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Every church and ministry needs intercessory prayer - We need those who cry out to God day and night.
I encourage you to contact your local church in how you can serve as an intercessory prayer warrior.
