“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!“
Psalm 141:2 (ESV)
Incense is a picture of prayer, and as such the altar of incense is worth considering. In Exodus 30:1-10 we read about it. This verse in particular is telling.
“And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.“
Exodus 30:6 (ESV)
The ark of the testimony, or ark of the covenant, sits in the most holy place, hidden by the veil that remains in place to preserve this holy place. And yet, the place of God’s presence was behind that veil, above the ark, between the golden cherubim that sit on the mercy seat. It is opposite this place of mercy that the altar of incense is placed. That is a deliberate statement that the act of prayer is directed to the mercy seat, the place of God’s presence. The imagery is striking: our prayers pass through the veil to God himself as he presences himself among his people.
Of course, the veil has now been torn in two. We now have direct access through Jesus:
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.“
Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)
The picture of the altar of incense still helps us to live this out. We must place ourselves at all times directly in front of the most holy place, by the blood of Jesus, and in full confidence. The way is open, but are we looking to it? Let’s see our prayers as reaching the place of mercy, where God is. We have access; he hears; he shows mercy. He will meet with us.