Prayer First Posture: A Journey Through the Tabernacle

 Embracing a Prayer-First Posture: A Journey Through the Tabernacle

Hello, dear friends and family in Christ,

As we wrap up our Prayer First Posture series, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've been on together. Over the past few weeks, we've explored the importance of prayer in our lives and how it can transform our relationship with God. Today, I want to share with you a powerful model of prayer that comes from the design of the tabernacle, a sacred space that God instructed Moses to build.

The tabernacle was more than just a structure; it was a dwelling place for God among His people. It served as a model for how we can approach God in prayer, and I believe it holds valuable lessons for us today.

Entering with Thanksgiving and Praise

As we enter the outer court of the tabernacle, we are reminded to come before God with thanksgiving and praise. Psalm 100 tells us, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, go into his courts with praise". This is a crucial step in our prayer life. Before we present our requests, we should take time to acknowledge who God is and express our gratitude for His blessings. This practice helps us to align our hearts and minds with His presence.

 Acknowledging the Sacrifice

Next, we encounter the brazen altar, where sacrifices were made. This altar reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us. As we approach God in prayer, we should take a moment to reflect on our own sins and shortcomings, confessing them before Him. Jesus' sacrifice allows us to reconcile with God, and we can claim His forgiveness as we pray.

Cleansing and Reflection

After acknowledging our need for forgiveness, we move to the laver, a place of cleansing. Here, we are called to inspect our hearts and motives. Are there areas in our lives that need God's touch? This is a time for introspection and renewal, asking God to cleanse us and prepare us for deeper communion with Him.

Inviting the Holy Spirit

As we enter the holy place, we encounter the lampstand, which represents the Holy Spirit. When we pray, we should invite the Holy Spirit to guide us and work through us. This relationship is active and cooperative, allowing us to grow in sensitivity to His leading.

Acknowledging God's Provision

Next, we see the table of showbread, which symbolizes God's provision. Just as the Israelites relied on God for their physical needs, we too must recognize that everything we have comes from Him. We should include prayers of gratitude for His provision in our lives, both physically and spiritually.

Worshiping God

Finally, we come to the altar of incense, a place of worship. Here, we focus on who God is, not just what He has done. Worship is about recognizing His worthiness and glory. As we offer our prayers, let us remember to worship Him for His character and majesty.

Bringing Our Requests

After journeying through these steps, we enter the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant resides. This is where we can bring our requests before God, pouring out our hearts to the One who desires to hear from us. He longs for a personal relationship with each of us, and prayer is the avenue through which we can communicate with Him.

As we conclude this series, I encourage you to embrace this tabernacle prayer model in your own life. It may seem complex at first, but with practice, it becomes a natural and meaningful way to connect with God. Remember, God desires a relationship with you, one that is rich and full of conversation.

Let us take a moment now to listen and reflect on what God may be saying to us. My prayer is that you feel His love and desire for communication with you.

Blessings to you all, and may you continue to make prayer a priority in your lives.