Prayer As Incense Before The Lord

O LORD, I am calling to you. Please hurry!

Listen when I cry to you for help!

Accept my prayer as incense offered to you,

and my upraised hands as an evening offering.

Take control of what I say, O LORD,

and guard my lips.

Don’t let me drift toward evil

or take part in acts of wickedness.

Don’t let me share in the delicacies

of those who do wrong.

Psalm 141:1-4

In this psalm, David used temple imagery as he called upon God to listen to his cry for help. He asked the Lord to regard his prayer as sweet-smelling incense floating from the altar into the heavens. Such incense was usually offered in the Tabernacle along with a burnt offering. He also called upon God to accept his “upraised hands as an evening offering.” In ancient times, people often prayed with their hands open toward heaven.

God does accept our prayers in this way. He is pleased when we come to him with our requests, and he is always willing and able to do what is best for us. Take a moment to offer up an “incense” of prayer to God and trust that he will answer.

• Dear Lord, accept my prayer as incense offered to you . . .