And when he [an angel] had taken the book [from the Lamb of God], the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
--Revelation 5:8
A central feature of the original temple worship of the ancient Hebrews was the altar of incense on which sweet-smelling sage, wood, and oils were burned. The rising smoke represented the prayers of the people ascending to heaven (see Exodus 30:1).
My prayer should be like the smoke of incense, constantly and gently rising up unto God. When it burns within me, it lifts me and permeates the very atmosphere around me. My prayers can mingle with the incense of others until it becomes a beautiful cloud of gratitude and yearning, of hope and peace. It is the very air of God's kingdom. If I want to know what it feels like to live in the presence of God, I should surround myself with prayer.
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