I read a really interesting verse in the Bible the other morning, one I had read many times before, but it got me excited all over again, and sent me on a little treasure hunt of sorts. This scripture in the book of Revelation 5:8 speaks of “…golden bowls full of incense, which are the payers of the saints.” A bit further on in Revelation 8:4 it says, “And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.”
Incense is not something I grew up with or really encountered much in my everyday life, but I know that it is something that was part of the worship rituals of God’s people particularly in Old Testament times. God gave instructions for the building of the Tabernacle in the book of Exodus. This was to serve as a place where God would dwell and meet with His people. One of the furnishings of the Tabernacle was the Altar of Incense. Incense was burned daily on this altar at the time of the morning and the evening sacrifices, and was symbolic of the prayer of the people rising up to God. In Psalm 141:2 the Psalmist says, “May my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” The fragrance of the incense would be symbolic of the beautiful aroma of our prayers before God.
I am very aware of how important and powerful prayer is, but I don’t think we ever stop to consider how pleasant our prayers are to God. It is compared to incense! The incense used for sacrifice on the Altar of Incense in the Old Testament Tabernacle, was made from very specific ingredients, and it was made according to specifications given by God. This incense was also not allowed to be used for other purposes besides what God gave instruction for. While this special incense was then burned on the altar, the priests and people would be offering up worship and prayer to God, while the aroma of the incense filled the air.
In simple terms, prayer is a conversation with God, and as such may take on different forms, but whenever we engage in a conversation with the Creator of the Universe, it is a powerful, supernatural action, needing faith for it to operate. The incense that was used as a sacrifice on the altar in the tabernacle needed fire to activate the fragrance it exuded. I recon faith is the fire that activate the aroma of our prayers before God. Why do I say so? Hebrews 11:6 (NIVUK) says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” One way in which I “come to Him” would be in worship and in prayer, believing that He exists, and by implication, believing that He is Who He says He is in the Bible!
So, when I come by faith to God in prayer, I can be certain that my prayers and petitions are beautiful and fragrant to Him – all those things I’ve earnestly been praying about, and even the things I gave up praying about. Like a lovely aroma that continues hanging in the air, not one prayer I’ve prayed has been lost. The cries and yearnings of my heart that I poured out before the Lord are as a fragrance in God’s presence. My prayers for my children, for a family member, for a friend – the ones I have not yet seen answered – are still before God like a beautiful, sweet perfume. That encourages my heart to continue praying faithfully and with joy!
