The Process in Prayer

 

Prayer does not move God toward us.  Prayer moves us toward God.  

God is in a place, and we are approaching Him.  It is a process to intimacy.   

Prayer is the process into the presence of God. 

 

Let's use the pattern of the Tabernacle that God gave to Moses in the Old Testament to illustrate the process of entering into God's presence.  

1. The Tabernacle had an exterior court.  

It was open with no ceiling.  The Bible says that we are to enter God's presence with praise and thanksgiving. 

We thank God for what He has done.  We praise Him for who He is.  

 

Psalm 100:4

English Standard Version

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

We can't approach God with unconfessed sin.  The blood of Jesus takes away our sin.  

 

2. The Brazen altar was next. The Brazen altar's purpose was to sacrifice a substitute for our sins.  

The substitute dies, so that we can live.  Jesus is our sacrifice for our sins.  The cross represents the brazen altar.     

 

1 John 2:2

He (Jesus) is God’s way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world. 

 

 

Isaiah 53:5

English Standard Version

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.

 

Transgression is to go too far. We all have gone too far.  Jesus was pierced with a spear in His side.  He gives us freedom in our hearts from going too far. 

Iniquity refers to the wayward condition of our hearts.  Jesus's body was whipped for us.   He changes the wayward condition of our hearts.    

Peace refers to the restoration of our thoughts.  Jesus wore a crown of thorns for us.  He gives us freedom in our thoughts and thus provides peace.  

 

Wounds refers to the healing of our past.  Jesus's hands were wounded by nails.  He gives us freedom from our past.   

 

3. The next piece of furniture in the Tabernacle was the Laver.  

It is were the worshipper was cleansed.  We are to offer up every part of ourselves to God.  

 

1 John 1:9

English Standard Version

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

4.  Next in the Tabernacle was the Candlestick.  It represents the Holy Spirit.  We are to invite the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.  

Zechariah 4:6

English Standard Version

 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 11:2

English Standard Version

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

 

Isaiah 11:2

English Standard Version

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

 

1 Corinthians 14:1

English Standard Version

 

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

 

5. Next, came the Table of Shewbread. It represents God's Word.  We are to claim the promises of God. 

 

Deuteronomy 8:3

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

 

6.  Next, was the Altar of Incense which represents worship.  

 

Psalm 29:2

English Standard Version

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness

 

7. Finally, was the Holy of Holies.  It was where the Ark was.  It represents the intimate presence of God where we pray for other people.  

 

1 Timothy 2:1

English Standard Version

 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people....