In the book of Exodus, we find some chapters that, if I’m honest, I skipped for many years without paying much attention. But today, they bring great wisdom into my life. The Tent of Meeting was where Moses met with God. A few years ago, I read a book by a man named David Yonggi Cho—he was a man of God greatly used by the Holy Spirit. His book, The Prayer that Brings Revival, has a chapter on the Tabernacle Prayer that led me to revisit those chapters in Exodus with a new perspective, and also to pray in a new way.
The outline of prayer based on the Tent of Meeting is one that will make your heart burn for deeper communion with God. If you struggle with prayer, this outline is for you. If your heart longs to pray in an effective way that provokes the presence of God, this outline is for you. If you are tired of your prayer time feeling monotonous and routine, this outline is for you. But first—why is prayer necessary?
Why should I pray?
Prayer is fundamental to the Christian life. How do we know this? Jesus prayed every chance He had. He prayed to praise the Father (Matthew 11:25). He taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9. He prayed for His friend Lazarus (John 11:41). He prayed when His soul was troubled (John 12:27). He prayed intensely in the midst of His agony (Luke 22:41). He even prayed on the cross for those who were killing Him! In short, Jesus prayed—and our responsibility as His followers is to live our lives according to the example He gave us.
But we also pray because praying is talking with God. Have you ever had a relationship with someone you never communicated with? It wouldn’t be a very good relationship, right? For a relationship to be strengthened and intimate, it must have a good source of communication. Prayer is that source for those who long for an intimate relationship with God. “Be joyful always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Paul exhorted us this way: “Do not worry about anything. Instead, in prayer and petition, present your requests to God and give Him thanks” (Philippians 4:6). “Devote yourselves to prayer” (Colossians 4:2). “Persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12). “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). But then—how long should I pray?
How long should my prayer be?
Nowhere in the Bible do we find a requirement for how long it is appropriate to pray. In fact, the instruction is to pray at all times! (Ephesians 6:18). So then, how can I do this if I have other responsibilities? By never stopping the flow of prayer. That is why the Tent of Meeting outline has worked so well for me. Because Jesus did question the disciples about why they could not even pray for one hour (Matthew 26:40), most people recommend at least one hour a day. For me, this prayer template in the mornings, before starting my daily routine, has helped open a channel of communication with the Holy Spirit that allows me to remain in communion with Him throughout the day.
Stay with me, and let’s enter this adventure of exploring the Tent of Meeting so we can meet with God daily.
Below is an illustration of what is understood to have been the Tent of Meeting according to Exodus 25–30.
Entrance
Following the outline of the Tent of Meeting, we enter our prayer to God according to Scripture by giving thanks. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Other versions say, “Enter His courts with praise.” The key is that the doorway into God’s presence is gratitude. When we give thanks to God regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we open a channel of communication with Him. “Give thanks in all circumstances,” Paul said (1 Thessalonians 5:18). There is always something we should be grateful for!
Altar of Sacrifices
At the altar of sacrifices, we know that animals were offered as atonement sacrifices for the sins of the people. Of course, Jesus—the Lamb who was slain on the cross—was the final sacrifice needed for humanity. However, the need to confess our sins and repent of them was not eliminated by the cross. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “Confess your sins to one another so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). “Whoever conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). I recently heard from a preacher that prayer time without confessing time is a waste of time!
So, in order to draw near and have intimacy with God, we must confess our known sins and even our unknown sins. In Leviticus 5, God warns the people of Israel that being unaware of their sin does not free them from its consequences. Therefore, when we ask forgiveness for our sins, we must be mindful of hidden sins and ask the Holy Spirit to show us the ways in which we have sinned unintentionally. The enemy is deceiving, and at times he causes us to sin without us even realizing we are doing it.
For those who played in the mud as children, you know how fun it can be. Well… maybe it only seemed fun to me! But when mom or dad noticed and called us, once we stepped out of the mud, we were no longer part of it. We were free of being in the mud, but you are still dirty until you are actually cleansed.
In the Tent of Meeting there was a kind of water basin, or washbowl (without plumbing), that served to wash the hands and clothing of those who had presented sacrifices for their sins.
In this part of prayer, we ask the Holy Spirit that now that our sins have been forgiven, He would cleanse us from every remaining trace of evil that may still be in us. A life of sin leaves stains, and the Holy Spirit is the only one with the power to purify our hearts.
Can you imagine presenting yourself before a king someday completely dirty, wearing torn, stained, old rags? Of course not, right? We shouldn’t do that before God either. When we prepare ourselves to come before Him, we must change our garments and put on clothing as white as snow, without blemish (Ephesians 5:27). Paul reminded us to always pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. “Sinners, wash your hands! You who are double‑minded, purify your hearts!” (James 4:8).
Table of Bread
Once cleaned people were allowed to enter the Holy Place of the tent. Immediately inside you could find the Table of Bread.
This is when you part bread with the Holy Spirit! Jesus said, "Man should not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4). So go on, find your Bible, a notebook, and a pen. Grab your cup of coffee and let the Spirit bring the bread! To study Scripture, you can download a Bible reading plan or use a devotional as guidance. I use the acronym SOAP to study the Bible. S=scripture O=Observation A=application P=prayer. Write the scripture (Book and Chapter) you're studying down. Write what you immediately observe as you're reading. How are you applying that word into your life? Your prayer should be specific to that word.
Altar of Incense
After the Table of Bread, you would find the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense, immediately in front of the curtain that divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.
In Leviticus 6:12, God commanded that the altar of incense be kept burning. But what is incense? When the Bible describes the four living creatures and the 24 elders, it states that each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people (Revelation 5:8). The psalmist prayed, " May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). Incense is the prayers of God's people! This is when you present your desires, needs, and wants before the throne of God, and those lift a fragrance in his throne.
Ark of His Presence
Immediately after the curtain and the altar of incense was the Holy of Holies. It is the place in the tent according to Exodus 25, where the ark of the covenant was found. This is where you can find the High Priest, Jesus. The best part about getting to this point of the prayer is that you don't have to leave his Presence there. Instead, you're welcome to bring him along for the ride. Invite the Holy Spirit to come with you as you start your day and to be your guide throughout. Once he becomes part of your life, he is the voice you perceive behind you, guiding your every step (Isaiah 30:21).
At the End of the Day
And as you finish your day before going to bed, review the day with God. As you have learned to do, come with Him, thanking Him for all He did for you throughout the day, and let Him know what that was. Ask for forgiveness for those instances in which you didn't act as He would have expected of you. Speak with him about those moments! Ask Him to cleanse you of all the spiritual contamination you might've been exposed to throughout the day. And remind him that as your body rests, you want your Spirit to remain in communion with his Spirit. Psalm 4 is a great one to end your day with!
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