“Day and night, night and day, let incense arise,
Day and night, night and day, let incense arise“
These lyrics were rolling around in me all of Wednesday. When I mentioned this to one of my children, I had to explain what incense was. “It’s a substance you burn for its smell. In the Bible incense is an image of prayers rising from God’s children to his throne.”
“Pray without ceasing,” the Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
In the middle of last night I woke from a dream in which I had watched a large Army-like truck take a curve and veer off into either a side street or the crowd. In either scenario it was going way too fast. In the dream I wondered if my children were in the path of the truck and I struggled against fear.
“Day and night, night and day, let incense arise,
Day and night, night and day, let incense arise“
A friend is recovering from a severe kidney infection. Another friend is in serious back pain. Another is worriedly seeking answers to his wife’s debilitating illness.
“Pray without ceasing.”
19 children and 2 teachers were murdered at a school by a mentally ill person; a whole community is locked in excruciating shock and grief.
“Day and night, night and day, let incense arise,
Day and night, night and day, let incense arise“
Parents are desperately looking for supplies of baby formula.
Pray without ceasing.
More and more people are displaced and killed in the conflict in Ukraine.
“Day and night, night and day, let incense arise
Day and night, night and day, let incense arise“
One crisis comes after another. Over and over and over. “Pray without ceasing.”
Last week I was traveling, attending a conference, and visiting with family and friends. This is the first new post I’ve written since then. While there are many things I am thinking about from those traveling days, and much I need to pray/think through for my Big Project and some other Pretty Big Projects this summer, for right now I return to, “Day and night, night and day, let incense arise/Day and night, night and day, let incense arise,” and “Pray without ceasing.”
Ultimately, whatever is going on, this is what we have – the invitation from our loving Heavenly Father to come to the throne of glory and, with all the saints and angels, cast our crowns and give our prayers to him. He knows. He hears. He is the lifter of our burdens. He is our Shepherd who leads us to his life-giving water and wipes every tear from our eyes. He weeps when we weep and rejoices when we rejoice. Day and night, night and day, may we pray without ceasing.
Heavenly Father,
With all the saints and angels we approach your throne of glory, knowing our prayers will be heard by you. We don’t want to be troubled or worried, but to confidently come to your life-giving water. We pray for mercy for this moment. Our world is filled with individuals, whole communities, and even nations in great chaos and pain and strife. But you call us to continually intercede for ourselves and each other, so we seek grace, healing, and help at our time of need and for the needs of others. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. You are worthy, O Lord, to receive all glory, honor, and power so we worship you and bring our prayers to you. Abba Father, heal, comfort, encourage, and bring peace to your precious children. We pray in the strong name of Christ – AMEN.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15 ESV)
“Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV)
“And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?” (Matthew 6:27 NASB)
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” (1 Chronicles 16:10 NIV)
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Revelation 4:11 NLT)
“For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17 NLT)
“Worthy of It All”
All the saints and angels
They bow before Your throne
All the elders cast their crowns
Before the Lamb of God and sing
You are worthy of it all
You are worthy of it all
For from You are all things
And to You are all things
You deserve the glory
Day and night night and day let incense arise
Day and night night and day let incense arise
Day and night night and day let incense arise
Day and night night and day let incense arise
(“Worthy of All Things” by David Brymer & Ryan Hall © 2012 Common Hymnal Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music) Innerland (Admin. by Integrity Music) Underground Treasure (Admin. by Integrity Music Wayfinder Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)