How Prayer Goes Up to God

James 4:3 KJV states, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Leviticus 16:12-13

“Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.”

Revelation 8:3-5 says,

“Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with 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, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar…”

The figurative meaning of the following.

Censer– heart of the people- Rev 8:4-5, Rev 5:8

Incense– Prayer request of believers- Rev 8:4-5, Rev 5:8

Fire– Word of God-Jer 23:29

Incense Smoke– Prayers moving up to God for a yes or no response – Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3-5

Upon examining the two images above, we can discern significant theological implications. The first image, which depicts smoke rising directly into the cloud in an orderly fashion, symbolizes an answered prayer. This imagery can be correlated with the biblical passages found in Revelation 8:4-5 and Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints are likened to incense offered before God. In contrast, the second image illustrates smoke dispersing in a chaotic manner around the censer, representing unanswered prayers.

This juxtaposition highlights how prayers are received and acknowledged in the spiritual realm.

The censer itself serves as a vital symbol within this context; it is designed as a vessel that contains fire used for the burning of incense, an ancient practice that embodies worship and supplication. However, as the Apostle Paul articulates in Colossians 2:17 and Hebrews 9:23-24, these practices are but shadows of what is to come. Paul emphasizes that these ceremonial rituals, while significant in the Old Covenant, are no longer relevant in the New Testament era due to the fulfillment of the law through Jesus Christ.

As believers entering into the New Covenant, it is crucial to recognize that the symbolic acts observed in the Old Testament are fulfilled in a new, spiritual context. Those who persist in adhering to these old practices may not fully grasp the depth of what Christ achieved through His sacrifice and resurrection.

In essence, we, as spiritual Jews—those grafted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ—are called to abandon the physical observances that were once essential for the Jewish people.

Our identity is now anchored in the spiritual truths found in Christ, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. If one continues to offer animal sacrifices in hopes of atoning for sins, it demonstrates a misunderstanding of the New Covenant established by Jesus.

Such an act reveals a reliance on the flesh rather than embracing the spiritual reality and freedom that Christ provides. A true believer recognizes that the sacrificial atonement has been fully and sufficiently accomplished through the Lamb of God, liberating us from the constraints of the past and inviting us into a transformative relationship with the Creator.

Romans 2:28-29 NLT, “for you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.  No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”

God chooses people as vessels containing His Word (Acts 9:15). Therefore, the figurative meaning of the censer is people or people’s hearts.

From this, we can see that the Smoke of the Incense is Prayers going up to God!

How do we approach prayer to achieve meaningful results?

To understand this deeply, let us draw inspiration from the imagery found in Leviticus 16:12-13, which beautifully illustrates an ancient method involving a censer, fire, and fragrant incense. Take note of the vital elements emphasized in the passage.

“Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.”

This passage reveals a profound Old Testament procedure.

Old Testament Procedure:

Censer + Coal of Fire + Incense = A Complete Prayer Request

Now, let us transition to the New Testament and explore the figurative meanings behind these ancient rituals.

New Testament Procedure:

Censer (representing your heart laid bare before God) + Coal of Fire (symbolizing the transformative and powerful word of God) + Incense (your heartfelt prayer requests) =

 A Complete Prayer Request.

This rich imagery emphasizes the significance of our intentions, the potency of God’s word, and the sincerity of our prayers, creating a comprehensive framework for effective communication with the divine.

When you approach God in prayer without invoking the word of God, your prayers may lack the power and direction they need. This principle is exemplified in the New Testament when Jesus faced temptation after His 40 days of fasting. In each encounter with the devil, He responded with the phrase, “It is written,” highlighting the authority and strength that Scripture provides in spiritual warfare.

This demonstrates that the devil trembles at the mention of God’s word, for it is a formidable weapon against darkness. Psalms 138:2 “… for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

Moreover, any supplication made to God that is not anchored in His word is likely to go unanswered. The Scriptures provide the framework and rationale for our requests, and when we pray according to those divine truths, we align ourselves with God’s will.

You cannot effectively resist or bind the devil without having the word of God deeply rooted in your heart. Think of the word as the fire needed to burn incense—just as fire is essential to release the fragrance of incense, so too is the word necessary to empower your prayers.

Without the word of God, your prayers risk being empty and ineffective. In essence, the presence of Scripture in your heart ignites your prayers, ensuring they resonate with divine authority and truth.

The Significance of Jesus’ Use of ‘It Is Written’ During His Temptation by the Devil

In the accounts of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, recounted in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus frequently employs the phrase “it is written” as a powerful declaration of His reliance on Scripture in the face of temptation. This highlights not only His profound understanding of the Scriptures but also serves as a model for how believers can combat spiritual challenges.

First Temptation: The Challenge of Self-Sufficiency

In Matthew 4:3-4, the devil approached Jesus during a 40-day fast, presenting a challenge under the guise of making a demand: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” This temptation was aimed at provoking Jesus to satisfy His physical hunger through a miraculous act.

However, Jesus countered this temptation with a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3, stating, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” By doing so, He emphasized the importance of spiritual nourishment and divine sustenance over mere physical needs. Jesus overcame by the word of God in him.

Second Temptation: The Misuse of Scripture

In the second temptation, chronicled in Matthew 4:5-7, the devil brought Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple and theatrically challenged Him again: “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands, so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Here, the devil misappropriated Scripture, quoting Psalm 91:11-12 to persuade Jesus to put God to the test. Yet, Jesus responded firmly by stating, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God,” referencing Deuteronomy 6:16. This exchange illustrates that while Scripture is powerful, it must be interpreted and applied correctly, and it reveals that true faith does not require testing God’s promises.

The ongoing struggle over the interpretation of the Word of God is reminiscent of conflicts occurring today in various households and individual lives. This situation raises a thought-provoking question: if you were to assume the role of Jesus here, would you be able to achieve victory in such battles? Smiles!

Third Temptation: The Allure of Power and Authority

In the final temptation, depicted in Matthew 4:8-10, the devil took Jesus to a high mountain, revealing all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. The devil offered Jesus a tempting bargain: “I will give it all to you,” he promised, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” Jesus, unwavering in His conviction, sternly replied, “Get out of here, Satan! For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him,” citing Deuteronomy 6:13.

This confrontation highlights the ultimate call to fidelity to God, rejecting any shortcut to power that involves forsaking divine worship.  The same battle of words ensued here.

Through these three temptations, Jesus not only demonstrated His extensive knowledge of Scripture but also exemplified how to wield the Word of God as a defence against spiritual adversities.

His responses remind believers of the importance of being grounded in Scripture, as knowing and living by God’s Word equips them to face trials and temptations without succumbing to the allure of sin. It’s crucial to recognize that the battle Jesus fought was not merely against physical temptations but rather a profound spiritual struggle—the battle of truth and allegiance to God’s authority over worldly enticements.

Had Jesus not possessed such a deep understanding of the Scriptures, He could have felt vulnerable and potentially defeated in each encounter with the devil. Imagine yourself in the shoes of Jesus, would you have won? You are faced with such battles in your daily life, but spiritually.

In Conclusion

Prayer is a profound means of communicating with God, not only a source of request, but many find that their desires remain unfulfilled. One critical reason for this is the lack of utilizing the Word of God in every request and prayer point. To experience the power of answered prayers, it is essential to back each supplication with Scripture.

In 1 Timothy 4:5, we learn that we can attain holiness through the intertwining of the Word and prayer. Despite this, a significant number of believers engage in prayer without diligently seeking the wisdom and guidance found in the Bible.

John 15:7 reminds us of a crucial truth: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” This emphasizes the importance of an intimate relationship with God, where His words dwell within us, influencing our requests.

Many believers, in their desire for divine understanding, yearn for God to comprehend their hearts; however, they often overlook the reciprocal responsibility of seeking to understand God’s heart. This scenario can be likened to a child who only voices their desires without considering the wishes and wisdom of their parent.

In our prayers, it is vital to align with the will of God. The Word serves as a guiding force that directs our hearts, providing clarity on what to ask for and how to articulate those requests effectively.

Psalm 37:30-31 teaches us the attributes of a righteous person, indicating that those who have God’s word in their hearts are in a position to receive His favour.

Moreover, 1 Peter 3:12 and Proverbs 15:29 assure us that God attentively hears the prayers of the righteous.

Consider the analogy of incense; just as incense requires fire to produce fragrant smoke, our prayers need the igniting power of God’s Word to ascend to heaven. Without this fiery foundation, our prayers may not reach their intended destination.

However, when we pray with the Word firmly embedded in our hearts, it is likened to lighting that incense – our requests rise before God, pleasing to Him and aligning with His divine will. Thus, let us embed the Word of God deeply into our prayer lives, ensuring that our communication with the Lord is both rich and fruitful.

May God bless you now and always; thank you for reading. Written by Evang. Chidi Declan