This is a portion of “Prayer & Fasting Part 1” presented by Daniel Joseph. The full-length presentation can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/420081469.

Prayer and Fasting Part 1 – Blog 2 of 6

Isaiah 56:6-7 reads — 6 “Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants — Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant; 7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

God has chosen to call His house/temple — בַּיִת תְּפִלָּה(bayith tĕphillah), a house of prayer. This is significant because God’s throne is in His house; He dwells there! Prayer is the vehicle we use to enter the Holy of Holies, to speak with the Living God. We have access to the Holy of Holies! That thought is humbling.

In Hebrews 10:19, we find the writer saying, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” We can enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus! Because of what He has done, we have access to communicate directly with God and that is what prayer is.

Let’s look at Revelation 5:8. The context is a scroll with seven seals; nobody can open it except Yeshua. He is the only one found worthy. “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

This verse takes place in the throne room with the Lamb of God, Yeshua the Messiah. What do the elders do? They fall down before Him. And what do the elders have? The writer is very clear; they have “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

What an amazing thought! When we drop to our knees in prayer, those prayers are in the throne room before Yeshua and before the Father. That’s where they go. We have a connection that is incomprehensible. We can communicate with the One who made everything, who breathed life into us; we can communicate with Him!

This reminds me of Deuteronomy 4:7. “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?” This promise that is given to Israel is amazing. We can talk to God for whatever reason. We can pray!

Let’s go back to Revelation and look at 8:3-4. “3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” Again, we just keep seeing this imagery. Your prayers, your voice, your petitions, and your cries are in the throne room before the LORD!

When you read this, I’m hoping this will spark something within you; literally calling you to your knees to start praying in order to know the power and access we have to the Father through the Son.