Growing up in the deep south, despite the heat, I looked forward to attending Bible camp each summer. That very first summer altered my life forever when I trusted in Jesus for eternal life and experienced the forgiveness of my sins. Thus, I was born again like the Apostle John illustrates through the dialogue of Jesus with Nicodemus in John chapter three. One of the subjects taught at camp was on the Old Testament Tabernacle. Regrettably, I found it hard to digest or even to understand the significance at that time in my life. Now I am impassioned to learn the importance of each detailed article the Almighty instituted for Israel to construct and what it means for all believers today.

“…There shall be a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.”

Exodus 30:8, NASB

“pray without ceasing;”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

After my salvation (born again) experience, Scripture memory was incorporated through the avenue of Bible Memory Association (BMA) and my prayer life seemed to be really taking off. Yet, as I grew older experiencing life situations that did not add up, I found my prayer life to be too daunting of a task. And as an adult, I grew intimidated by the entire process never fully understanding or even wanting to understand the call to pray.

In the tabernacle, near the Ark of the Covenant, which is the holiest place and pictures God’s throne where He would tabernacle amongst Israel, God had Moses put the Incense Altar. The veil (huge thick curtain) would separate the two. This Incense Altar represented an intercessory ministry in the presence of God as the priest would burn incense continually offering up intercessory prayers on behalf of Israel. Prayer was a priority for Israel and should be for every believer. As Aaron, the High Priest, would sprinkle Incense over the hot coals – a pleasing aroma ascended to heaven.

Our prayers are a pleasing aroma to God!

“May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.”

Psalm 141:2

“And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.”

Luke 1:10

“And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Revelation 5:8

“And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”

Revelation 8:3-4

Prayer is a significant way to grow closer to His heart. But not just any kind of prayers! The Apostle Paul instructs believers to pray at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). Jesus tells us to pray keeping a heavenward gaze while acknowledging the holiness of God (Matthew 6:9). So, prayer that rises to the Father as a sweet-smelling aroma will always include His will and it will be a magnet that pulls us ever closer and closer to His heart.

There is an intimacy here—it’s not something that is simply cerebral or mechanistic. It is the work of the Spirit, leading us into an ever-deepening response to God, causing us to wonder that we are God’s children by adoption, bringing us to look to God as our Father, and enabling us to live as children of that Father. – Alistar Begg

Our prayer life can be a pleasing aroma to God, and we can experience a closeness to His heart!