[ Above is a class session from the School of Leadership Development with Pastor Poncho teaching on the Tabernacle Prayer Pattern ]
THE TABERNACLE PRAYER PATTERN
In the tabernacle prayer you simply go through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle. The tabernacle had six items in it that each represented something. Each one of these things was symbolic of something in the New Testament. Let each item in the tabernacle spark your prayer life into a passionate fire...
Hebrews 8:5 says “The tabernacle is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
As you go through the tabernacle prayer you stop at each of the six items and pray using the prayer principles that apply to it. Remember this pattern is simply meant to guide you into a deeper prayer time!
The tabernacle prayer card will guide you through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle of Moses. This prayer is not to be a religious ritual, instead it should be a means to help you go deeper and further in prayer.
As you let this card guide your prayers be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and what He is saying to you.
PATTERNS | The Tabernacle Prayer
In the tabernacle prayer you simply go through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle. The tabernacle had six items in it that each represented something. Each one of these things was symbolic of something in the New Testament. Let each item in the tabernacle spark your prayer life into a passionate fire...
Hebrews 8:5 says “The tabernacle is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
As you go through the tabernacle prayer you stop at each of the six items and pray using the prayer principles that apply to it. Remember this pattern is simply meant to guide you into a deeper prayer time!
The tabernacle prayer card will guide you through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle of Moses. This prayer is not to be a religious ritual, instead it should be a means to help you go deeper and further in prayer.
When you use a prayer pattern don’t think of a set of rules and walls that you have to stay within, think of it as a pathway that will guide you to your goal. Your goal in prayer is to draw closer to God.
The Tabernacle Prayer:
I. Brazen Altar (The Altar of Burnt offering)
= THE CROSS OF JESUS
The first item in the tabernacle was the Brazen Altar, this is where your prayer begins. The brazen alter is where animal sacrifices for peoples sins were made. The word altar has two primary meanings in scripture. It means “lifted up” or “slaughter place”. Jesus became the ultimate and final sacrifice for you on the altar of the cross. Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that you could have eternal life. He was crucified for your sins.
The Brazen Alter is meant to be a place where you pray and focus on the work of Jesus on the cross and what it did for you. Take time to focus your prayers on two thoughts:
1. Jesus paid the ultimate price so He could potentially have a relationship with you. (1 Jn 3:16 ; Heb 12:1-3)
2. The power of the cross is in you. (Eph. 1:18-20) Take some time and declare over your life the power of the cross.
II. The Brazen Laver
= CLEANSING AND PREPARING
Once you are finished at the Brazen Altar you then walk up to the Brazen La- ver. The Brazen Laver was the second item in the tabernacle. The Brazen Laver was a bowl that sat on a pedestal. It looked like your bathroom sink. The Laver was made from bronze that had a reflective ability to it. When they looked in the Brazen Laver, they could clearly see their reflection in the water. It was there that the priest used to wash their hands before going into the Holy place. There are two things that are symbolized at the Brazen Laver:
Heb 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water
Eph 5:25-26 just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word
1. The first thing that is symbolized at the Brazen Laver is the act of washing ones hands in the water.
Your hands represent all your works or things you do. The hands also speak of your intentions. As you are at the Brazen Laver you are going to evaluate all the things you have been doing and the motives behind them and allow them to be washed by the word.
(Heb 10:22-23 ; Ps 24:4 ; Job 17:9)
Heb 4:12 for the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2. The second thing that is symbolized at the Brazen Laver is the Word of God. As you come to the Braze Laver you take time to look at the Word of God (the Bible). It becomes your looking glass or mirror; you look into it to see how you are really doing. (Jm.1:22)
Pray through the Ten Commandments and allow them to test and challenge your Thoughts, Attitudes, Intentions and Actions.
III. The Table Showbread
= COMMUNION AND THE CHURCH
The third place in the tabernacle prayer is to the table of Showbread. To get to the table of Showbread you had to go into the next portion of the tabernacle, the Holy place. The table of Showbread is symbolic of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life to His people. It points to the Table of the Lord or The Communion of the New Testament Church.
At the table of Showbread take time to pray through these five things.
1. Pray for your relationship with God...
Take time to evaluate how your relationship with God is doing. At the table this is a good time to bring up any needs in your life. Take some time to list off a few specific things that you’re believing for.
2. Pray for your relationship with others...
At the table is a good time to look at your relationships with others also. Take time to pray for those around you and ask God to show you if there are any relationships that you need to change or adjust.
3. Pray for unsaved people around you...
It is only by Gods grace that you are saved and able to fellowship with Him, that should make you want to encourage and invite more people to His table.
4. Pray for your Church (Pastor, congregation, it’s vision and impact)
The table represents the meeting place of the family of Christ. Take time to pray for your pastors, parents, friends, and your Church.
5. Pray for the nations...
Take time to pray big prayers, prayers that are beyond your ability. God is a big God and He loves when we ask Him to do big things.
IV. The Golden Candlestick
= HOLY SPIRIT
The fourth item that is in the tabernacle is the Golden Candlestick. The Golden Candlestick is not what you would initially think it was. It was not a large candle like the one in your front room. The Golden Candlestick was more particularly a lamp stand upon which were seven lighted lamps. This was a candlestick having oil lamps, not candles. Candles burn by self-consumption, while lamps burn by the continual supply of oil that is being poured into them.
John 14:25-27 "These things I have spoken to you while being pre- sent with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
When you come to the Candlestick you are reminded that the only way you can be a light is if you have the oil of the Holy Spirit in you.
1. The first thing to pray for is a continual fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts 1 Jesus told His disciples to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit, and then in chapter 2 they received it. Then it says in chapter 4:31 that the same people that had already been filled with the Holy Spirit received a fresh filling again. Ask for that fresh filling in your life
2. The second thing that you should pray is that you would “Shine Bright”. That you would be a lamp that is full of oil and putting off light to everyone around you. Some people get so caught up in being full of the Holy Spirit, yet they never go out and shine, you need to do both. Pray that you would be an extremely bright light today, so that every moment of the day you would be shining for Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in areas of your life where you need help. He has the ability to help you in every area of life
V. The Golden Altar of Incense
= WORSHIP
The fifth item that you come to in the tabernacle is The Golden Altar of Incense. The Golden Altar of Incense was placed right before the entrance to the Most Holy Place (That will be your final stop in the tabernacle prayer). The Golden Altar of Incense never had blood sacrifices on it like the brazen alter did. It was for burning only incense before the Lord. It is symbolic of the prayers of intercession and worship from God’s people.
As you come to the Golden Altar of Incense there are three things that you pray through:
1. The first thing you do is take time to intercede for your life. When you take time to intercede for yourself remember that Jesus is interceding for you also.
Romans 8:34-35 it says “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also inter- cedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Take time to pray over these areas of your life.
2. The second thing you do at the Golden Alter of Incense is take time to intercede for others. We are called to be people who stand in the gap and pray for people around us.
James 5:19, 20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
3. Third, take some time and just worship God for who He is from the depth of your heart.
Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Ps 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Ps 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
VI. The Ark of the Covenant
= INTERCESSION
The sixth and last stop in the tabernacle prayer is The Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was in the Most Holy Place. The Ark was the most important piece in the tabernacle.
The Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of the literal presence of God. The divine manifested presence of God. In John 14:6 Jesus is talking to His disciples and He tells them "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
When you come to the Ark of the Covenant you just simply rest in His presence and let Him speak to you. Take time and listen to the Holy Spirit as He gives you “God thoughts” for your life. After a little while of resting in His presence and listening to Him, pray thru three things.
1. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to show you His will through- out your day. Pray with expectation that He will guide you today be- yond your prayer time.
2. Pray that He will help you to walk in truth today, so that you would be guarded by His truth in your life.
3. Pray that your life would be consumed in Him. That today you would be eternally focused, not temporally minded. Focus on things that are going to go on for eternity, not your own will or desires.
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Rom 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Jer 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and un- searchable things you do not know.'
John 14:12-13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matt 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Jer 29:12-14 In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. will be found by you,"
THE TABERNACLE PRAYER PATTERN
In the tabernacle prayer you simply go through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle. The tabernacle had six items in it that each represented something. Each one of these things was symbolic of something in the New Testament. Let each item in the tabernacle spark your prayer life into a passionate fire...
Hebrews 8:5 says “The tabernacle is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
As you go through the tabernacle prayer you stop at each of the six items and pray using the prayer principles that apply to it. Remember this pattern is simply meant to guide you into a deeper prayer time!
The tabernacle prayer card will guide you through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle of Moses. This prayer is not to be a religious ritual, instead it should be a means to help you go deeper and further in prayer.
As you let this card guide your prayers be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and what He is saying to you.
PATTERNS | The Tabernacle Prayer
In the tabernacle prayer you simply go through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle. The tabernacle had six items in it that each represented something. Each one of these things was symbolic of something in the New Testament. Let each item in the tabernacle spark your prayer life into a passionate fire...
Hebrews 8:5 says “The tabernacle is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
As you go through the tabernacle prayer you stop at each of the six items and pray using the prayer principles that apply to it. Remember this pattern is simply meant to guide you into a deeper prayer time!
The tabernacle prayer card will guide you through your prayer time as if you were walking through the tabernacle of Moses. This prayer is not to be a religious ritual, instead it should be a means to help you go deeper and further in prayer.
When you use a prayer pattern don’t think of a set of rules and walls that you have to stay within, think of it as a pathway that will guide you to your goal. Your goal in prayer is to draw closer to God.
The Tabernacle Prayer:
I. Brazen Altar (The Altar of Burnt offering)
= THE CROSS OF JESUS
The first item in the tabernacle was the Brazen Altar, this is where your prayer begins. The brazen alter is where animal sacrifices for peoples sins were made. The word altar has two primary meanings in scripture. It means “lifted up” or “slaughter place”. Jesus became the ultimate and final sacrifice for you on the altar of the cross. Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that you could have eternal life. He was crucified for your sins.
The Brazen Alter is meant to be a place where you pray and focus on the work of Jesus on the cross and what it did for you. Take time to focus your prayers on two thoughts:
1. Jesus paid the ultimate price so He could potentially have a relationship with you. (1 Jn 3:16 ; Heb 12:1-3)
- Take time to thank God for all you are... where would you be with out him
- Express your need and desire to have a growing relationship with him
- Humble yourself and let Him know you are dependent upon Him for everything
2. The power of the cross is in you. (Eph. 1:18-20) Take some time and declare over your life the power of the cross.
- I am saved... Jn 3:16
- I am forgiven of all my sins... 1 Jn 1:9
- I am a new creation in Christ, the old is gone... 2 Cor 5:17
- I am free from all the power of the enemy... Col 2:14,15
- I have a purpose in life... Gal 1:15 ; Jer. 29:11
- I will not be tempted beyond what I can bare... 1 Cor 10:13
- I am pure... 1 Jn. 1:9
- I have authority in Christ over sickness and death... Mk 16:18
- By His stripes I have been and will be healed... Isa 53:5
II. The Brazen Laver
= CLEANSING AND PREPARING
Once you are finished at the Brazen Altar you then walk up to the Brazen La- ver. The Brazen Laver was the second item in the tabernacle. The Brazen Laver was a bowl that sat on a pedestal. It looked like your bathroom sink. The Laver was made from bronze that had a reflective ability to it. When they looked in the Brazen Laver, they could clearly see their reflection in the water. It was there that the priest used to wash their hands before going into the Holy place. There are two things that are symbolized at the Brazen Laver:
Heb 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water
Eph 5:25-26 just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word
1. The first thing that is symbolized at the Brazen Laver is the act of washing ones hands in the water.
Your hands represent all your works or things you do. The hands also speak of your intentions. As you are at the Brazen Laver you are going to evaluate all the things you have been doing and the motives behind them and allow them to be washed by the word.
(Heb 10:22-23 ; Ps 24:4 ; Job 17:9)
- ·Thoughts · Attitudes · Intentions · Actions
Heb 4:12 for the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2. The second thing that is symbolized at the Brazen Laver is the Word of God. As you come to the Braze Laver you take time to look at the Word of God (the Bible). It becomes your looking glass or mirror; you look into it to see how you are really doing. (Jm.1:22)
Pray through the Ten Commandments and allow them to test and challenge your Thoughts, Attitudes, Intentions and Actions.
- You shall have no other God’s before me... Mt 6:33
- You should have not idols... Heb 12:1
- Don’t use the Lords name in vain... Eph 5:19, 20
- Observe the Sabbath, keep it holy... 1 Pet. 1:15, 16
- Honor your mother and father... Eph 6:2
- Do not murder... Mt. 5:21, 22
- Do not commit adultery... Mt 5:27-30
- Do not steal... Mt 5:38-42
- Do not lie... Mt. 5:33-37
- Do not covet... Rom 13:9, 10
III. The Table Showbread
= COMMUNION AND THE CHURCH
The third place in the tabernacle prayer is to the table of Showbread. To get to the table of Showbread you had to go into the next portion of the tabernacle, the Holy place. The table of Showbread is symbolic of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life to His people. It points to the Table of the Lord or The Communion of the New Testament Church.
At the table of Showbread take time to pray through these five things.
1. Pray for your relationship with God...
Take time to evaluate how your relationship with God is doing. At the table this is a good time to bring up any needs in your life. Take some time to list off a few specific things that you’re believing for.
2. Pray for your relationship with others...
At the table is a good time to look at your relationships with others also. Take time to pray for those around you and ask God to show you if there are any relationships that you need to change or adjust.
3. Pray for unsaved people around you...
It is only by Gods grace that you are saved and able to fellowship with Him, that should make you want to encourage and invite more people to His table.
4. Pray for your Church (Pastor, congregation, it’s vision and impact)
The table represents the meeting place of the family of Christ. Take time to pray for your pastors, parents, friends, and your Church.
5. Pray for the nations...
Take time to pray big prayers, prayers that are beyond your ability. God is a big God and He loves when we ask Him to do big things.
IV. The Golden Candlestick
= HOLY SPIRIT
The fourth item that is in the tabernacle is the Golden Candlestick. The Golden Candlestick is not what you would initially think it was. It was not a large candle like the one in your front room. The Golden Candlestick was more particularly a lamp stand upon which were seven lighted lamps. This was a candlestick having oil lamps, not candles. Candles burn by self-consumption, while lamps burn by the continual supply of oil that is being poured into them.
John 14:25-27 "These things I have spoken to you while being pre- sent with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
When you come to the Candlestick you are reminded that the only way you can be a light is if you have the oil of the Holy Spirit in you.
1. The first thing to pray for is a continual fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts 1 Jesus told His disciples to wait for the filling of the Holy Spirit, and then in chapter 2 they received it. Then it says in chapter 4:31 that the same people that had already been filled with the Holy Spirit received a fresh filling again. Ask for that fresh filling in your life
2. The second thing that you should pray is that you would “Shine Bright”. That you would be a lamp that is full of oil and putting off light to everyone around you. Some people get so caught up in being full of the Holy Spirit, yet they never go out and shine, you need to do both. Pray that you would be an extremely bright light today, so that every moment of the day you would be shining for Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in areas of your life where you need help. He has the ability to help you in every area of life
- The Holy Spirit can speak to you - Acts 8:29-30
- The Holy Spirit can teach you - John 14:25-27
- The Holy Spirit will intercede for you - Rom 8:26-27
- The Holy Spirit will convict you of sin - John 16:7-10
- The Holy Spirit will reveal things to you - 1 Cor 2:10-11
- The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you - Matt 4:1-3
V. The Golden Altar of Incense
= WORSHIP
The fifth item that you come to in the tabernacle is The Golden Altar of Incense. The Golden Altar of Incense was placed right before the entrance to the Most Holy Place (That will be your final stop in the tabernacle prayer). The Golden Altar of Incense never had blood sacrifices on it like the brazen alter did. It was for burning only incense before the Lord. It is symbolic of the prayers of intercession and worship from God’s people.
As you come to the Golden Altar of Incense there are three things that you pray through:
1. The first thing you do is take time to intercede for your life. When you take time to intercede for yourself remember that Jesus is interceding for you also.
Romans 8:34-35 it says “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also inter- cedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Take time to pray over these areas of your life.
- Family
- Faith
- Fitness
- Finance
- Future
2. The second thing you do at the Golden Alter of Incense is take time to intercede for others. We are called to be people who stand in the gap and pray for people around us.
- Friends
- Co-workers
- Lost / backsliders
James 5:19, 20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
3. Third, take some time and just worship God for who He is from the depth of your heart.
Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Ps 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Ps 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
VI. The Ark of the Covenant
= INTERCESSION
The sixth and last stop in the tabernacle prayer is The Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was in the Most Holy Place. The Ark was the most important piece in the tabernacle.
The Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of the literal presence of God. The divine manifested presence of God. In John 14:6 Jesus is talking to His disciples and He tells them "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
When you come to the Ark of the Covenant you just simply rest in His presence and let Him speak to you. Take time and listen to the Holy Spirit as He gives you “God thoughts” for your life. After a little while of resting in His presence and listening to Him, pray thru three things.
1. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to show you His will through- out your day. Pray with expectation that He will guide you today be- yond your prayer time.
2. Pray that He will help you to walk in truth today, so that you would be guarded by His truth in your life.
3. Pray that your life would be consumed in Him. That today you would be eternally focused, not temporally minded. Focus on things that are going to go on for eternity, not your own will or desires.
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Rom 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Jer 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and un- searchable things you do not know.'
John 14:12-13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matt 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Jer 29:12-14 In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. will be found by you,"