Thursday, July 14, 2011

::Frankincense Prayers::

. . . they offered strange fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. {Leviticus 10}

I want to pray Frankincense Prayers. Frankincense comes from the resin of the Boswellia Tree. It never yields its fragrance until it is burned. Likewise, how often does Scripture remind us that it is through fiery trials that our characters are manifested? At times like that, our prayers take on a profundity and fervency. To God, such prayers give off a deep and lovely fragrance of sincerity. They are no longer mere perfumes.

I don't know about you, but when a man or woman walks by me in a cloud of cloying perfume or cologne, I think; What are they hiding under all that? In Leviticus, two of Aaron's sons offer God a strange fire, and die because of it. Their offering is all show, and is found completely unacceptable. We can offer God strange fires of our own.

Anytime we come to God with a veil over our guilt and our repentance, holding back true sorrow for our sin, we are offering strange fire. Anytime we veer from biblical Truths to counsel other with opinion, or to pander to the cultural status-quo, we are offering unrecognizable incense to our God. He can smell the difference.

God is after our hearts. Find His heart through prayer and study, and pray your Frankincense prayers.