Authentic prayer is symbolically illustrated through the divine blueprint of the original Tabernacle that God instructed Moses to build. In Hebrew, it was called the Mishkan. It was the place where God met with His people. 

The LORD told Moses, 

“Have them construct a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. According to all that I am going to show you as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, so you shall construct it.” Exodus 25: 8, 9 

Each detail was to be made according to its “Holy Architect’s” instructions. Every aspect had a significant meaning and conveyed a Kingdom principle, that teaches us how to have intimacy with God. 

When the Priest entered the Tabernacle and came into the Holy Place, he went into a secluded room. It was entirely cut off from the outside world. It was completely enclosed with animal skins, so no wind was able to enter the room. Inside this room was an altar of incense that was continually burning. The Bible tells us that incense represents the prayers of the saints. 

Now consider again, that because this room was completely sealed with animal skins there was no wind, the air was still. Because of this, when the smoke of the incense ascended – it ascended straight up. Straight up where? To Father God! 

“Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God.” Revelation 8: 3,4 

True, authentic prayer ascends straight up — to God. 

Regrettably, many of the saints’ prayers are not rising up to God; instead, they are blowing towards the people next to them. Why? Because of being concerned about impressing others and trying to appear spiritual. We need to fear God and humbly talk to Him. 

If we really want to be heard by the LORD so that He responds with joy to our prayers – we need to be authentic. We need to recognize that we are in His presence. We need to focus on Him and approach Him with reverence. 

“The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4). 

“True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23). 

Beloved, humility moves Father’s heart.