Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer Chapter 2—Our Need Of Prayer
Prayer Needed Daily—In the service of the Jewish priesthood we are continually reminded of the sacrifice and intercession of Christ. All who come to Christ today are to remember that His merit is the incense that mingles with the prayers of those who repent of their sins and receive pardon and mercy and grace. Our need of Christ’s intercession is constant. Day by day, morning and evening, the humble heart needs to offer up prayers to which will be returned answers of grace and peace and joy. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifice God is well pleased.”(SDA Bible Commentary 6:1078.) {Pr 21.1}
Like the patriarchs of old, those who profess to love God should erect an altar to the Lord wherever they pitch their tent. If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for themselves and their children. Let the father, as priest of the household, lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. In such a household Jesus will love to tarry. {Pr 21.2}
From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out—homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew.—(Patriarchs and Prophets, 144.) {Pr 21.3}
As in the days of the patriarchs of old, our prayers are lifted up to God as sweet incense for God to return His mercies and blessings. If we confess and repent of our sins, God returns to us His pardon, mercy, and grace. We are to offer up our prayers daily, as often as we are able. Prayer begins at the home, beginning with the father, the priest of the household. Families who are united in prayer will be in the midst of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Offer God thanksgiving and praise that you may receive His grace, peace, and joy.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We come to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving and praise. We thank You for interceding on our behalf. For being our mediator, our sin bearer. As our prayers are delivered up to You as sweet incense, we receive Your answer in mercies and blessings like the morning dew. We thank You for pardoning our sins out of Your love for us. We pray for all the families and individuals who have made their homes a house of prayer. As You have promised, where two or more are gathered in Your name, You are in the midst. We pray that Your love reigns supreme in every home that a Holy light shines in every direction for all to see, not us, but that they see You. Like the patriarchs of old, may every father and mother come to the altar and lift up their hearts in humble prayers for themselves and their children. May these prayers be a sweet savor unto the Lord. May our prayers be as sweet incense in the evening, morning, and noon. We pray that our prayers are answered with Your grace, peace, and joy. We pray that an angel will stand at the right side of our altar of prayer as in Luke 1:11 and 13 “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense” and you said “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard.” We pray that all who profess to love You confess and repent of their sins and pray for Your forgiveness. We pray that we may hear Your voice and follow where the Lamb leads. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, and for giving us the victory over sin, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
