Torah Class: Day 64 - Praying Through the Sanctuary: Incense-Intercession

Basis for our Studies:

The Bible tells us that the “End (of the world) is declared from the “beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Certainly, this means that the early Biblical record of human history bears End-time prophetic significance. But, it’s actually even more specific than that. The original Hebrew word translated as “beginning” in Isaiah 46:10 is תישאר (rê’shı̂yth). This is the root of Bereshith, which is the Hebrew name of the first Book of the Bible, “Genesis”. In other words, prophecies of the End of the World are found in the Book of Genesis.

The Torah is one of the five keys for unlocking End-time Prophecy… Prophecy is unlocked through the Statutes!

Praying through the Sanctuary:

Praying through the Sanctuary, as one experiences each Space and piece of Furniture, in order, can dramatically empower and enhance our prayer lives. It helps us have all the “ingredients” needed for effective prayer.

The Psalmist actually tells us that in praying through the Sanctuary, we will come to more intimately know Yahweh.

Psalm 77:11-13 – “I will remember the works of Yahweh: surely I will remember Thy Wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy Work, and talk of Thy Doings. Thy Way, O God, is in the Sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” 

Sanctuary Prayer Ingredient #9: The Altar of Incense - Prayer

· The Sanctuary on Earth shows us that the focus isn’t on “going to Heaven someday”. The goal is restored communion with Yahweh. Enoch “walked with God” and “was not” for “God took him.” This is the process of Redemption for every saved person. In the Sanctuary we learn to walk with Yahweh…  This is the Place of Prescence, Fellowship, and Dwelling.

This thread runs from Genesis to Revelation…  from Eden, through the Tabernacle and the Temple, through Messiah and Spirit-filled believers all the way to the New Jerusalem. The whole point is restored Dwelling.

The Bread of Presence plus the Incense reveal that Yahweh desires more than legal acquittal. Yahweh desired nearness. Relationship. Covenant Fellowship.

·       Exodus 33:11  “And Yahweh spake unto Moses Face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.”

·       Psalm 27:4  “One thing have I desired of Yahweh, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the House of Yahweh all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Yahweh, and to enquire in His Temple.” 

An Illustration from the story of Mephibosheth…  Mephibosheth used to live in the royal house (Palace)…  Sin caused him to lose this lifestyle…  He is crippled, living in exile and unable to restore himself to his former estate. David brings him near with the fellowship of “eating at my table continually”… How does Mephibosheth get there? Not because he earned a place there, but because Covenant love remembered him…

·       2 Samuel 9:7  And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. 

The goal was bringing the lost one back to the King’s Table.

·       1 Corinthians 10:20-21 – “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the Cup of Yahweh, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of Yahweh’s Table, and of the table of devils.”

People today – Christians – want forgiveness without fellowship, Salvation without surrender, blessings without His Presence, and they want Eternal Life without the obedience that intimacy with Yahweh requires.

Eternal Life IS knowing Him (which is the opposite of what happened the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) – John 17:3

Yahweh desires to dwell in His people

·       Revelation 3:20 – Table fellowship restored… Covenant meal imagery…  The story ends where it was headed all along…  Revelation 19:9 – The Marriage Supper.

·       Scripture begins with a meal in the Garden. It ends with a meal at a Wedding. The entire story of Redemption is journey back to the Father’s Table.

Putting it all Together in Prayer (Example):

Step 1: Approach the Sanctuary

“Dear Heavenly Father, Today,  I praise Your holy Name that You have called me to be among Abraham’s Seed, which is Israel. Having been baptized, and having put on Christ, I renew that Calling and claim upon my life today. I choose to be among Abraham’s Seed, and an heir according to Your Promise… Today, I thank You that I can make this choice, and I choose to be a full partaker of the Covenant made with Abraham and his Seed…”

Step 2: Enter the Door

“I praise You, Yahweh, for providing the Door to Life – Yahshua. I choose to enter into Your Life today, through Messiah. I acknowledge that You are Calling me to serve You as a priest and king. I humbly accept Your Calling into Your Service. I recognize that I cannot hold onto the world and enter Your narrow Way. The Door to Life involves leaving the flesh and its lusts behind. Today, I choose You. I want You more. And I leave behind the world and choose Your Kingdom.”

Steps 3 and 4: Come inside the Walls of His Righteousness & Receive His Pure Word (Columns)

“I praise You, Yahweh, for Your Torah and I choose today to fully walk in obedience to You. I reject the old brackish waters of the world, and seek the clean water of Your Kingdom and Word. I claim Your Redemption and trust in Your Strength to provide it. Help me to live this choice in full Shema, today.”

Step 5: Receive Justification in the Courtyard and Die with Him for this Day (the Altar of Burnt Sacrifice)

“Dear Heavenly Father, I ask You to help me, today, to view sin in light of the Cross. Deliver me from my appetite for sin. Help me to see it by what it cost You to free me from it. I honor You, Yahshua, as the Worthy Lamb that was slain. And I claim Your precious Blood in cleansing for my sin (confess and repent for your known sins specifically). (Also name your areas of wounding and suffering, and claim His healing over you). I choose today to die to my old man of sin – sins of my past – and all in me that is not according to Your Will. Please help me to have as much attraction to my old sins as a dead man.”

Step 6: Enter the Bridal Chamber – the Holy Place – and Abide there within its Golden Walls

“Today, Heavenly Father, I choose to enter the Bridal Chamber relationship with Yahshua, with all that this means and implies. I choose today to be Ta’am (joined) with Messiah. May I disappear, being so completely joined with Him. I ask Your Strength and Your Name (as a mighty Tower) so that I would be completely resistant to sin and a fit dwelling Place for Your Spirit. I invite You into my Soul Temple today. I wish to emulate and reflect Your lovely Character. And I seek to align my life with Your lovely Torah, recognizing that it is the Wall of Protection, the Ketubah of the Bridal Chamber and the Way of Life.”

Step 7: Partake of the Bread of Presence

“I seek today to be restored to the Eden Relationship with You. In so doing, I ask to enter Your Presence and to enjoy Fellowship at Your Table. I claim Your Promises that, as the Seed of Abraham, I may partake with You today. Please bless me and feed my soul with the heritage of Jacob, as I eat from the Bread of Your Presence, in Your Word just now. (At this stage, open the Bible and do your “eating from the Word”…) (Add in whatever you found in the Word to your prayer and turn it into a prayer response to your Scripture reading for that day)… Father, I praise You that You have called me to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Help me to live in this Calling today.”

Step 8: Refresh the Incense – Intercession and Worship

“Heavenly Father, I pray with the Psalmist that You would let my prayer be counted as incense before You just now (Psalm 141:2). I seek the Breath of Heaven. Oh, please quicken and enliven me with Your Spirit. Breathe upon me and grant that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart would be acceptable in Your Sight (Psalm 19:14). I pray that this sweet incense of my Spirit-empowered prayers will continue to ascend before You throughout this day and that I will abide always in Your Presence.

As I bring the incense of this prayer before You, I begin with Onycha in offering the sacrifice of my praise to You for Your lovely Character and Goodness. (Praise Yahweh in specific ways…  One way is to praise Him for His many Names, all of which reveal various aspects of His Character… the Almighty, Yahovah Yireh, Yahweh, the Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, etc…) I praise You for the Provision of Yahshua, Who truly is the Rose of Sharon (praise Yahweh for Salvation in Yahshua, etc)…

I offer before You the Stacte. In this, I accept Your Calling today to be a part of the Elijah Team. Please help me to live in Your Torah, and to help restore Your Truth and Law in the hearts and minds of those with whom I come into contact today.

I bring the Galbanum asking for “antiseptic” cleansing from sin for (name the people you are praying for and list the matters and sins. Claim Yahshua’s Blood over them in these areas and come against the strongholds of the enemy in their lives, beseeching Yahweh to now have the legal right to smash the blinders on their eyes and reveal His Truth, doing all that Heaven can do to bring them to repentance. (Intercede for each person on your prayer list in this portion of the prayer). (Remember and use the Psalm 4 intercessory SOS prayer as needed... It takes a lot of "energy" to pray this way, so it isn't recommended to pray this every day, just do it as an SOS)...

Finally, I offer the frankincense as a gift to You. Grant me pure faith and create in me a clean heart (Psalm 51:10). Empower me, by Your indwelling Grace, to present my body as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable unto You (Romans 12:1). I choose to serve You this day. Not my will, but Thine be done in my life.

On Monday, we will be looking at the Menorah and its connections to the Tree of Life...

Video Links

·   The Tabernacle and What it Reveals to Us - (5 minute video by Chosen People Ministries)

The Tabernacle of Moses Structure - 3D Animation - (6 minute and 51 second video by Messages of Christ)

T

Torah Class: Day 63 - Praying Through the Sanctuary: Incense-Intercession

Basis for our Studies:

The Bible tells us that the “End (of the world) is declared from the “beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Certainly, this means that the early Biblical record of human history bears End-time prophetic significance. But, it’s actually even more specific than that. The original Hebrew word translated as “beginning” in Isaiah 46:10 is תישאר (rê’shı̂yth). This is the root of Bereshith, which is the Hebrew name of the first Book of the Bible, “Genesis”. In other words, prophecies of the End of the World are found in the Book of Genesis.

The Torah is one of the five keys for unlocking End-time Prophecy… Prophecy is unlocked through the Statutes!

Praying through the Sanctuary:

Praying through the Sanctuary, as one experiences each Space and piece of Furniture, in order, can dramatically empower and enhance our prayer lives. It helps us have all the “ingredients” needed for effective prayer.

The Psalmist actually tells us that in praying through the Sanctuary, we will come to more intimately know Yahweh.

Psalm 77:11-13 – “I will remember the works of Yahweh: surely I will remember Thy Wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy Work, and talk of Thy Doings. Thy Way, O God, is in the Sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” 

Sanctuary Prayer Ingredient #9: The Altar of Incense - Prayer

· Exodus 30:34-38 – the ingredients in the incense…

STACTE - The first ingredient in the sanctuary incense was stacte. Stacte is connected with Elijah – and signifies the purgative and restorative work of the Elijah Message in bringing people to repentance. 1 Kings 17:1 tells us that Elijah was a Tishbite, meaning he was from Tishbeh, which is located in the region known as Gilead. As Scripture tells us in Jeremiah 8:22 and 46:11, Gilead was renowned for its healing balm. When we think of balm, we think of something soothing. But the healing balm of Gilead, was from stacte resin of the terebinth tree. This resin is powerfully purgative when taken internally.

·       The Stacte shows that an effective intercessor must be spiritually clean – living in alignment with Torah in all known ways – James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

ONYCHA - The next ingredient in the holy Incense. It is an aromatic resin from the branches of the rockrose bush, which was Biblically known as the Rose of Sharon. In Song of Solomon 2:1, Messiah is proclaimed to be the Rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley. The word “Sharon” is from the Hebrew root meaning someone who is straight – or upright in walking the way of Righteousness. 

GALBANUM - Next is Galbanum. Galbanum is another medicinal gum resin from the Ferula gummosa herb. Galbanum has antiseptic properties, representing the power of God to cleanse us from sin.

FRANKINCENSE - The fourth ingredient in holy Incense was Frankincense. Frankincense was a part of the holy anointing oil. It was also sprinkled upon the meal offerings of the daily sacrifices. Frankincense is found in many aspects of the Sanctuary. Frankincense represents faith, without which it is impossible to please Yahweh - Hebrews 11:6. Frankincense was known in Bible times to be an appropriate gift to give to God. The wisemen brought the gift of Frankincense to Yahshua after His birth, because it was an appropriate gift to give to Yahweh. This demonstrated an awareness that the true worship of God always required faith. The word “frankincense” is from the Hebrew word lebonah with the root libbah. These words mean: “white heart.” To be an acceptable living sacrifice, we need a clean heart, as it says in Psalm 51:10.

·       Psalm 4 is the most powerful intercessory prayer formula in the Bible because it breaks the incense ingredients down into practical steps.

o   In Daniel 9, Daniel confesses the sins of others, on the behalf of the idolatrous people of Israel.

o   Job 1:5 tells us that Job interceded for his children (10 children)… “sanctifying” them… and offering burnt offerings.

§  To offer the burnt offering, Job would have been (because Torah says to do this) laying hands on the head of the animal and specifically confessing the sins that his sons had committed. Then he would have claimed the blood in cleansing for those stated sins…  And the he would have slain the animal. (1 John 1:9 – confession of sins is part of the Blood Offering)

o   Psalm 139:23-24 –

Holy things are not to be casually…  Israel was forbidden from recreating the incense formula for personal use. Holy things are not for entertainment or self-expression…

Unauthorized incense kills.

·       Numbers 16 – Korah’s rebellion

·       Leviticus 10:1-3 – Nadab and Abihu die for offering “strange fire”

Worship and intercession is not human creativity wildly – or in personal emotion height – at Yahweh hoping that He affirms us for our “sincerity” our “authenticity”… Modern worship…  its most emotional atmosphere…  But in Scripture, worship/intercession is prescribed, it is Covenantal… reverent, holy…  And it is dangerous, when corrupted.

Video Links

·   The Tabernacle and What it Reveals to Us - (5 minute video by Chosen People Ministries)

Psalm 4 - Part 5: Step 5 - Offer the Sacrifices of Righteousness

Psalm 4 - Part 5: The Most Powerful Intercessory Prayer Formula in the Bible - Step 5

As was already discussed, in part 1 of our examination of the Psalm 4 prayer formula, we saw the context in which to use the special Psalm 4 level of intercessory prayer. in part 2, we examined the first step in this prayer recipe, which is to "Stand in awe". Then in part 3, we looked at the importance of being free from personal sin, in order to be powerful intercessory prayer warriors. Finally, in part 4, covering steps 3 & 4 we saw the importance of keeping this prayer private and reserving it for the time of the night watches. We also saw the importance of being still - remembering that He is God. Again, for this prayer to be effective, you need to complete the steps in the order in which the psalmist gave them.

This powerful intercessory prayer formula in all the Bible is found in Psalm 4:4-5, which reads:

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 

The fifth step in the Psalm 4 prayer formula is to "offer the sacrifices of righteousness." But how do you do that in our post-Calvary world? The sacrifices ended at the Cross.

Intercessory Prayer Step 5: Offer the Sacrifices of Righteousness

On that dark night, when I feared for Joe's life and God revealed to me how to pray Psalms 4 on Joe's behalf, I followed along fervently through steps 1-4. But when I read the words "offer the sacrifices of righteousness", realizing this was the fifth step, I was stumped. I had no idea how to proceed.

"What do I do now?" I quietly asked God.

Under the Spirit's prompting, the words quickly formed in my mind, "How were sacrifices offered in Bible times?"

"The father of the household would take a lamb to the temple. He would lay his hands upon the head of the lamb and confess his sins and the sins of the family. Then he would slit the lamb's throat. It pointed to my Saviour's Death by which all sin is forgiven," I recited, still clueless.

What was the sacrifice of righteousness? It was not the lamb itself, for the lamb merely pointed to the true Sacrifice of Righteousness, which was the Death of Christ - Heaven's Lamb (John 1:29). Of course the sacrifices of righteousness referred to the Saviour's Death. Everyone needs to confess their own sins to God and claim the Blood of Christ in cleansing. But what I couldn't understand is how this could apply to intercessory prayer?

Was God telling me that I could actually confess the sins which someone else had committed, claiming the Saviour's Blood on their behalf? It was a foreign concept! I was inspired to look at the story of two Biblical heroes: Job and Daniel. Both of these godly men offered the sacrifices of righteousness - in intercession!

First, let's look at Job. The Bible tells us in the first chapter of Job that he was a "righteous" man who "feared God" and "eschewed" (hated and turned away from) evil (Job 1:1). Unlike faithful Job, his grown children were not interested in God. In fact, Job chapter 1 tells us that they were out partying. It was obviously not a good party because Job believed this worldly children were sinning. Clearly, they were not repentant, nor inclined to offer the sacrifices of righteousness on their own behalves. So Job did it for them, offering one lamb for each of his rebellious children!

And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually, Job 1:4-5.

There are a number of key points which bear notice, in Job's intercessory ministry for his wayward children.

1) First, Job offered the sacrifices of righteousness on their behalves because he worried that they might have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.

2) Second, Job continued offering the sacrifices of righteousness for them on a regular basis.

3) Finally, the result of Job's prayers is also powerfully given. The Bible says that he "sanctified them"! Now that's amazing! To be sanctified is to be "made holy". In other words, when Job confessed his children's sins on and offered a lamb each for them, God heard Job's prayers and powerfully responded!

From the example of Job, we see that "offering the sacrifices of righteousness" can involve a parent confessing the sins of their wayward (even adult) children. The parent can also claim the Saviour's Blood in cleansing.

Next, let's look at Daniel's example. In Daniel chapter 9, we see the prophet Daniel confessing the sins of Israel, for which God allowed them to become taken into Babylonian captivity and exiled. Scripture tells us that Daniel, who was taken into captivity in his youth, was always faithful to God. Clearly then, he did not partake of the sins which we see him confessing in Daniel 9:4-6. Why confess sins he didn't commit?

Daniel is praying and confessing the sins of Israel because no one else is doing it. He realizes that unless the sins are confessed and forgiven, Israel will never be able to return home. So Daniel confesses on Israel's behalf, even though he never participated in the sins he confesses.

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy Face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline Thine Ear, and hear; open Thine Eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy Name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive..." Daniel 9:17-19.

How effective is Daniel's work in "offering the sacrifices of righteousness" for Israel? Very! In fact, before he finishes praying, God sends the angel Gabriel to assure him that his prayer is heard and to give him the prophecy of the 70 week timeline. Shortly thereafter, members of Israel begin to return home - freed from their exile - not because they confessed their own sins, but because Daniel effectively offered the sacrifices of righteousness on their behalves, when they wouldn't do it for themselves!

That's how powerful the Psalms 4 prayer process is! God has put this prayer formula in place so that His faithful intercessory prayer warriors can truly stand in the gap for those who aren't coming to God for themselves. And lives are changed by it - Job's children were sanctified, Israel was able to return home from their Babylonian captivity.

When I prayed this way for Joe, I found it to be hugely powerful also. When I finished praying, just as it says to do at the end of Psalms chapter 4, I laid down and slept peacefully. How could I sleep having been in such turmoil and fear that Joe planned to take his own life? Because the Psalms 4 prayer formula was complete. And I knew that I could trust God to do as He'd promised. The end of the chapter in Psalms 4 says to lay down in peace and sleep, with the awareness that it is God Who makes me to dwell in safety, so that I can do so.

I slept - like a baby (as they say) - and the next morning I went about my day without panic or even concern for Joe's welfare. I knew he was safe. God had Joe - because He had showed me how to pray for him. And God had heard my Psalm 4 intercession, just as he did for David, Job, and Daniel. Later that day, Joe called. He was not only alive (which I trusted he would be), he was spiritually well also! He had been convicted in the early morning hours to turn his life over to God. Joe was a different man. Joe was truly alive - spiritually as well.

Since that dark night, when I was directed to pray Psalms 4 for Joe, I have since used this powerful prayer formula whenever I am facing a crisis or spiritual SOS. I have learned, from experience, that Psalm 4 is the most powerful intercessory prayer in the Bible. And God can use the prayers of His people to give Heaven the rights to work - even in the lives of those who aren't choosing God on their own.

"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting," 2 Timothy 2:8.

(Detailed directions for how to pray Offering the Sacrifices of Righteousness, are provided in Shauna Manfredine's book Escaping from the Dragon's Jaws).

Psalm 4 - Part 4 - Steps 3 & 4 - Commune and Be Still

Psalm 4 - Part 4: The Most Powerful Intercessory Prayer Formula in the Bible - Steps 3 & 4

As was already discussed, in part 1 of our examination of the Psalm 4 prayer formula, we saw the context in which to use the special Psalm 4 level of intercessory prayer. in part 2, we examined the first step in this prayer recipe, which is to "Stand in awe". Then in part 3, we looked at the importance of being free from personal sin, in order to be powerful intercessory prayer warriors. Now, we will take an in-depth look at steps 3 & 4. Please remember, for this prayer to be effective, you need to complete the steps in the order in which the psalmist gave them.

Again, the most powerful intercessory prayer formula in all the Bible is found in Psalm 4:4-5, which reads:

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 

We will first look at what it means to "commune with your own heart upon your bed". Then we will study the concept of being "still," which are steps 3 and 4 in our powerful intercessory prayer recipe.

Intercessory Prayer Step 3: Commune with you own heart upon your bed

For many of us, when we or someone we know is in trouble, our "gut response" - you know, the response you give before even thinking about it - is to call a friend. We feel we need to elicit an army of prayer support - especially when things are bad. But when praying the prayer formula of Psalm 4, we aren't to request any earthly support. Communing with your own heart upon your bed means that you choose to pray at a time when the rest of your household is fast asleep. Pray during the time of greatest privacy and solitude with God. Pray. And do it alone with God.

Now, don't get me wrong. Praying with an army of like-minded prayer warriors is also a tremendous blessing. Scripture gives us powerful promises about what happens when two or three prayer warriors come together to pray.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them, Matthew 18:18-20.

There can be no question that praying together is powerful and effective. But there are also times, when God tells us to pray alone. In these times, He teaches us to rely on Him and Him alone. Such prayer times strip away any pretense or any doubt that maybe God answered that last prayer because "Susie" was praying too. This kind of private pray with God is raw, real, and rewarding.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly, Matthew 6:6.

Psalm 4 is one of those "closet" prayer times. But communing with your own heart upon your bed doesn't only refer to privacy, it also suggests the proper timing. When should you plan to engage in Psalm 4 praying? Only late at night - or in the wee hours of the morning. This is the time of day the Psalmist meant when he instructed us to "commune with" our "own hearts upon our beds". The reference to being in bed, connects to "night watches". And night watches are periods, during the night, in which we choose to be wakeful with God, while all others sleep.

"...I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches. Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy Wings will I rejoice," Psalm 63:6-7.

 Often then, praying the Psalm 4 spiritual warfare SOS prayer is something for which we plan ahead.  However, in extreme cases, such as my experience with Joe, I simply was in bed during the night watches. And it was the perfect timing to pray. 

So, let's quickly review the steps of Psalms 4, up to this point.

1) First, we stand in awe of God by spending the first 10-20 minutes of our prayer time in worshiping and praising Him.
2) Second, we are to confess and repent of all our sins. This portion of the prayer is untimed. You simply continue for as long as it takes until you can no longer call to mind any sins to confess - even after claiming Psalm 139:23-24.
3) When all of this is finished, you commune quietly upon your bed with God on this prayer matter. Use the time of night, when no one else is up to disturb your prayer or intrude upon this vital time spent alone with God.
4) The fourth step in the Psalm 4 prayer formula is to be still.

Intercessory Prayer Step 4: Be Still

One of my favorite Bible stories is the story of the Saviour calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. After a busy day of preaching and healing, the disciples and Jesus had set sail for the other side of Galilee. It had been a long day, and Christ fell asleep in the back of the boat, while the disciples - all of whom were experienced fishermen - rowed quietly across the waters. Suddenly, a storm came up, creating huge waves which threatened the tiny boat and everyone aboard. You know the storm must have been the worst the disciples had ever seen. For the Bible tells us that they feared for their lives - and they were seasoned fishermen!

Throughout it all, Jesus continued sleeping peacefully. Amazed, one of the disciples finally awakened Him. "Lord, save us or we will surely die," he cried.

Jesus stood up in the boat, raised His Hands into the blustering winds and spoke, "PEACE. BE STILL."

Instantly the storm was calmed. The moon came out. There was absolutely no evidence that a storm had even taken place, other than that the shocked men in the boat were still drenched. They were amazed and asked themselves, "Who is this Man that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

The dire circumstances in someone's life, which require us to pray a Psalm 4 level prayer may even be life and death. This was certainly the case with my family member, whom I have called Joe. I really believed Joe would kill himself that night, unless God miraculously intervened. Thus, my emotional state and the condition of my heart felt as turbulent as the stormy sea of Galilee that night. The salty spray of the ocean upon the disciples faces was mirrored in the tears which freely flowed down my cheeks.

Psalms 4 is the spiritual warfare SOS prayer - designed to be prayed in such dangerous and extreme circumstances. And this is why God has placed the fourth step here. Amidst conditions so dire that it's a matter of life and death - Christ still speaks - Peace, be still. This command is not only meant for the troubled one, for whom you are interceding. It is also for you. Awareness that God is bigger than this crisis brings peace to your turbulent heart. Mindfulness that God is the Almighty, Who is strong to save, brings stillness to your emotional soul. And trust in God's Promise to hear your prayers brings calm in the darkest of nights.

Do not worry about your loved one. Do not fear for them. Trust that the same wonderful God Who stilled the storm on Galilee will fight for you now, in answer to your prayers. And it is because you trust Him to do this and you can complete step 4 - Be Still....

Intercessory Prayer Steps 3-4: Commune with your heart upon your bed & Be Still - Step 5 will be presented in Shauna Manfredine's next blog...

Psalm 4 - Part 3: Step 2 - Sin Not

Psalm 4 - Part 3: The Most Powerful Intercessory Prayer Formula in the Bible - Step 2

As was already discussed, in part 1 of our examination of the Psalm 4 prayer formula, we saw the context in which to use the special Psalm 4 level of intercessory prayer. in part 2, we examined the first step in this prayer recipe, which is to "Stand in awe". Now, we will take an in-depth look at step 2. Please remember, for this prayer to be effective, you need to complete the steps in the order in which the psalmist gave them.

To refresh our memories, the most powerful intercessory prayer formula in all the Bible is found in Psalm 4:4-5, which reads:

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 

Let's look at each piece of this formula, explaining it as steps placed in the order in which we should do them. So, when you find yourself needing to pray for a dire situation, Psalms 4 instructs us to follow these steps in order:

Intercessory Prayer Step 2: Sin not

Did you know that you cannot pray for someone with hell-shattering prayers while you are harboring unconfessed unsurrendered sin in your life? Scripture tells us that only a righteous person's prayers "avail much" - meaning that they accomplish what was asked.

...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5:16

"If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear," Psalm 66:18.

“Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; They will seek Me diligently, but they shall not find Me, Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord, Proverbs 1:28-29.

At first, the requirement of righteousness makes it seem impossible to have effective prayer which accomplishes much. There is not one righteous human being on the planet (Romans 3:23 and Romans 3:10). But there is hope. We are not naturally righteous, but we can be made righteous, through receiving the righteousness of Christ.

To do this, we need to confess (1 John 1:9)  all sin in our lives. To confess our sins, means that we need to specifically name them, in our prayer time. We need to tell our Heavenly Father that we are sorry for doing, thinking, and feeling sinful things. And we need to specifically ask Him to forgive and cleanse us in every area.

The process of confessing our sins also involves repentance. Repentance means that we turn from darkness unto the light. It means that we forsake the old evil habits and actions and to turn to God's Will and Way. 

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit... Ezekiel 18:30-31.

Repentance also means that we fully cleanse our homes - getting rid of all the books, movies, music and objects which dishonor God and elevate evil.

"Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction," Deuteronomy 7:26.

But what about the sins we've committed of which we aren't aware? Since all sins, including those we don't know about, inhibits prayer, following the command to "sin not" in Psalm 4 will involve an even deeper spiritual surgery. After we have confessed every known sin - and asked for the Saviour's precious Blood to cover and cleanse it away - we next need to ask God to reveal any further areas of sin, beyond our own awareness (Jeremiah 17:10)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the Way Everlasting, Psalm 139:23-24.

A detailed explanation of the process of personal cleansing and reclaiming a home is found in Mark and Shauna Manfredine's book Keys to Living Like You've Been Saved.

This process of spiritual house-cleansing, confessing and repenting for all sin is the vital second step in the Psalm 4 prayer formula. So, after you have praised God, which was step 1 ("stand in awe"), complete step 2 ("sin not") by spending as much time as is necessary to confess and repent from all sin in your life.

Once steps 1 and 2 are complete, your preparation to pray is finished. You are now a ready vessel, prepared to pray effective and fervent prayers which are empowered to shatter the very gates of hell.

Intercessory Prayer Step 2: Sin not - Step 3 will be presented in Shauna Manfredine's next blog...

Psalm 4 - Part 2: Step 1 - Stand in Awe

Psalm 4 - Part 2: The Most Powerful Intercessory Prayer Formula in the Bible - Step 1

In part 1, introducing Psalm 4 as the most powerful SOS intercessory prayer formula in Scripture, we discussed the characteristics which make the Psalm 4 prayer necessary. Now, let's turn our attention to the prayer formula itself, which is found in this chapter. We will see what it means and discuss how to use it, specifically.

The most powerful intercessory prayer formula in all the Bible is found in Psalm 4:4-5, which reads:

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 

Let's look at each piece of this formula, explaining it as steps placed in the order in which we should do them. So, when you find yourself needing to pray for a dire situation, Psalms 4 instructs us to follow these steps in order:

Intercessory Prayer Step 1: Stand in Awe

The phrase "stand in awe" means that the first step is to demonstrate holy fear. Yes, there is a natural fear for the person for which you are praying. On that dark night, when I thought Joe might take his own life, I was afraid for him. But this is not what it means to "stand in awe". The word "awe" references our fear for God. This isn't a wet-your-pants terror in the presence of the Almighty. It is rather a holy reverence and deep adoration for God, Who is the King of the Universe.

When we fear God, we fear nothing else. When we fear God, we demonstrate that we recognize Who He and we respond by giving Him all our praise, adoration and worship. When we fear God, we submit ourselves under His Sovereign Authority in every aspect of our lives. 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man, Ecclesiastes 12:13.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments: His praise endureth for ever, Psalm 111:10.

Naturally, I wouldn't have needed to pray a Psalm 4 prayer on Joe's behalf if he were "standing in awe" and truly fearing God in every area of his life. No, Joe wasn't "standing in awe" on his own behalf. This part of the prayer formula is to be done by the intercessor - you!

Fearing God is a life-style, a way of thinking, which is to pervade all that we say and do. But how to do we "stand in awe" as part of the prayer formula? In Psalm 111:10, it states that fearing God is demonstrated by praising Him. So, the first step in praying through Psalm 4 on another's behalf is to spend the first part of your prayer time praising God and worshiping Him.

It's an amazing thought, David understood that you don't begin a desperate prayer - even an SOS prayer - by whining and complaining. You put yourself in right perspective and in a positive framework from which to pray, by starting out in praise to God for His beautiful attributes. Here are a few to get you started:

Attributes of God – The Characteristics

Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”

Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite. 

Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is responsible for his choices in life.

Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God having been there. 

Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God. 

Self-existence: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.

Self-sufficiency: The Bible says that God has life in Himself (see John 5:26). All other life in the universe is a gift from God. He has no needs and there is no way He can improve. To God, nothing else is necessary. He does not need our help with anything, but because of His grace and love, He allows us to be a part of advancing His plan on earth and being a blessing to others. We are the ones who change, but never God. He is self-sufficient.

Justice: The Bible says that God is just, but it is His character that defines what being just really is. He does not conform to some outside criteria. Being just brings moral equity to everyone. When there are evil acts, justice demands there be a penalty. Since God is perfect and has never done evil, no penalty would ever be necessary; however, because of His love, God paid the penalty for our evil deeds by going to the cross Himself. His justice needed to be satisfied, but He took care of it for all who will believe in Jesus.

Immutability: This simply means that God never changes. It is why the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Mercy: “Mercy is the attribute of God which disposes Him to be actively compassionate.” Since God’s justice is satisfied in Jesus, He is free to show mercy to all those who have chosen to follow Him. It will never end since it is a part of God’s nature. Mercy is the way He desires to relate to mankind, and He does so unless the person chooses to despise or ignore God at which time His justice becomes the prominent attribute.

Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.

Goodness: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.” This attribute of God is why He bestows all the blessing He does on His followers. God’s actions define what goodness is, and we can easily see it in the way Jesus related to the people around Him.

Gracious: God enjoys giving great gifts to those who love Him, even when they do not deserve it. Grace is the way we describe that inclination. Christ is the Channel through which His Grace moves. 

Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired. 

Faithfulness: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Our Saviour even said that He is the Truth. This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him. 

Love: Love is such an important part of God’s character that the apostle John wrote, “God is love.” This means that God holds the well-being of others as His primary concern. For a full definition of love, read 1 Corinthians 13. To see love in action, study the life of Christ. His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of others is the ultimate act of love. God’s love is not a love of emotion but of action. In demonstrating it, He has given us what we need, in spite of the fact that we do not deserve it.

Psalm 103 is a wonderful chapter of the Bible which is about praising God and extolling His virtues. You may even wish to incorporate parts (or all) of this chapter in your praise time.

"...Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy Name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the Heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us," Psalm 103:1-12.

So, as hard as it may sound at first, when you begin this most urgent form of intercessory prayer - you pause - and set aside the first 10-20 minutes of your prayer time to just praise God. As you do, your own heart and mind will begin to shift into the framework that is needed to pray hell-shattering prayers.

...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5:16

Intercessory Prayer Step 1: Stand in Awe - Step 2 will be presented in Part 3...

Psalms 4 - Part 1: SOS Prayer

Psalms 4 - Part 1: The Most Powerful Intercessory Prayer in the Bible

Have you ever been in a crisis so great that you didn't even know how to pray? Have you ever tried to help someone who was so deep within the devil's clutches that they seemed unreachable? Have you ever had a situation that was so dire that it was truly life and death? If so, you need the Psalms 4 SOS prayer.

God first showed me this prayer on one of the darkest nights of my life. A member of my family, whom I will call Joe, was in despair and was planning to take his own life. The gun was laying on his bed. And I knew that Satan was doing all that he could to get Joe to end it all.

When I learned about Joe's intent to die I was horrified, yet I felt so helpless. When we had done all that we could to help Joe, it was plain to see that it just wasn't enough. It was about 1 AM when our last communication with Joe ended. The darkness surrounding Joe was so thick, it seemed impenetrable...

I sat upon my bed, unable to even think about sleeping, yet paralyzed by the awareness that Joe's crisis was deeper than the reach of ordinary prayer. I needed intercessory prayer that was "effectual, fervent and would avail much." (James 5:16). I knew the goal, but I didn't know how to get there on Joe's behalf. Thankfully, I knew that God did!

"God, please help me," I agonized. "I don't even know how to pray for Joe. Please help me, Father. Please help Joe. Please show me how to pray for Joe."

In that moment, I was impressed to open my Bible. Not knowing which passage to read amidst the blur of my tears and anguish, I just let the Bible sort of fall open, hoping God would help me to see what He wanted to show me. He did. My Bible fell open to Psalms chapter 4.

I can't tell you how many times I have read Psalms chapter 4, in my life. But I had never before seen that passage the way God showed it to me that dark night. First, I'll just let you read it, as it appears in the Bible:

"...Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.  But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.  Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety," Psalm 4:1-8.

The first part of the prayer clearly shows that this is an intercessory prayer for extreme situations. It begins with, "Hear me when I call... I was in distress...  Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer."

Before I share what God showed me to do, in order to put this prayer to work on Joe's behalf, let's first look at the context of WHEN to use this prayer. What circumstances does David mention, are present when using this prayer? The passage even tells us what is so distressing, creating the need for this level of prayer. The person for whom David was praying was engaged in several destructive behaviors and attitudes. He listed them as:

1) Turning glory into shame.
2) Loving vanity.
3) Seeking after leasing.

To understand these difficult, Old-English terms, we need to look them up in the E-sword to get the fuller meaning. In so doing, we find the following conditions which made a Psalms 4 level of prayer necessary:

1) Turning the glory of God into shame is something we do when we lose His Image in our characters. We were created in the Image of God (Genesis 1:27). At its deepest meaning, this refers to having the lovely Character of God in the human soul. God's Character is beautifully portrayed in the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). These fruits include: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. The more we turn away from God, going our own way, the more self-centered we become, increasingly losing our ability to reflect these lovely Fruits. The more we look like God - in Character - the more we bring Him glory (Matthew 5:16). But the more we stray from God, disconnecting from His in-dwelling Spirit - the more we bring shame to His Name. Losing the in-dwelling Presence of God's Spirit means that we no longer display the fruits of the spirit - and it means that we are turning God's glory into shame. How does this show up in the life? We are turning God's glory into shame when we operate under the "works of the flesh", which are (Galatians 5:19-21):

• Adultery - being unfaithful to our marital partner
• Fornication - having sex or physical intimacy outside of marriage
• Uncleanness - thinking and speaking in ungodly and impure ways
• Lasciviousness - dressing or acting in a way that tempts others to lust
• Idolatry - valuing anything or anyone above God.
• Witchcraft - performing or being involved in occult practices, spells or demonic worship
• Hatred - hating God or people
• Variance - changing the Law of God in any way.
• Emulations - acting or believing that some people or classes are better/more valuable than others
• Wrath - having a temper problem
• Strife - fighting (verbal, emotional, or physical) in the home or elsewhere
• Seditions - rebellion against God and His Authority.
• Heresies - believing false doctrines and idolatrous ideas. 
• Envyings - believing that God is nicer and more gracious to others than He is to oneself. 
• Murders - shedding innocent blood - this can include abortion.
• Drunkenness - taking mind-altering substances
• Revellings - worldly partying

Participating in some or all of these things is what it looks like to turn God's glory into shame.

2) Loving vanity is having affection for the worldly things which are empty, having no value and have no good purpose. Vanity is another word for idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). And idolatry is putting anything or anyone above God in our thoughts and affections (Deuteronomy 4:6-9). Vanity is acting like the "heathen" - which are those who do not love, worship, or honor God.

And they rejected (God's) Statutes (His Law), and His covenant that He made with their fathers... and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do (act) like them," 2 Kings 17:15.

3) Seeking after leasing is to pursue and try to learn more about things which are lies and are deceptions. Since the Word of God is Truth (1 Thessalonians 2:15), lies are believes and ideas which go against the principles of Scripture. In the last days, we were warned that many people would actually choose to be taught by teachers who promote false ideas. Many will want to discredit God's Word, and will purposely seek for teachers who will instruct them in ways that go against the Bible. Some examples of this might be choosing to be indoctrinated by the teachings of evolution or humanism, attending classes to learn the principles of New Age mysticism, witchcraft or seeking to learn any other philosophy that goes against the clear Word of God. This is what it means to seek after leasing.

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths, 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

So, if you have a friend or loved one who is in great danger... if they are turning God's glory into shame by demonstrating the "Works of the Flesh", if they are loving vanity by seeking emptiness, death and idolatry; and if they are seeking after leasing by following after deceptions... than there is a mighty prayer formula which transforms lives and takes back the struggling one, who might otherwise have been devoured - as the prey of the terrible. That way to pray is the prayer formula given in Psalms 4.  

In my next blog posting, I will explain this formula and how to use it, just as I did for Joe that night - and praise God - it saved Joe's life from a spot where it seemed that he was beyond hope. Our God is mighty and able to save!

"Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children, Isaiah 49:24-25.