Prayer Is A Place

TO READ: Luke 1:5-25

As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

Luke 1:9

Prayer has been described in many ways —intercession, praise, the debating chamber of the soul. Prayer is all these things and more. But prayer, first and foremost, is a place to meet. In the Old Testament, God invited his people to meet him at the altar of incense in the tabernacle: “These burnt offerings are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the LORD’s presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you” (Exodus 29:42).

In the New Testament, Jesus spoke of finding a private place where you can shut the door behind you and pray (Matthew 6:6) —and he served as an example for us by going frequently to a solitary place. “But,” wails a young mother, “what can I do? I have forty kids under three years of age!”

Now, I know that is not really true! You only have four —it just feels like forty! I managed to find a place once when I was in a similar predicament. I climbed into the children’s playpen and put the toddlers out! Five minutes with God by my “altar of incense” made all the difference in the world —my world!

Yes, prayer is a place to meet; this is God’s design. We need to pray about finding that personal place of prayer.

“Lord, help me to find my solitary place; and whether it be in church, in a closet, or even in a playpen, meet me there —even as you promised. Amen.”