Tabernacle Prayer: A Simple Guide to Going Deeper in Prayer
Prayer does not have to feel complicated.
Throughout Scripture, God gives us patterns that help us understand how to approach Him. One of those patterns can be found in the Old Testament Tabernacle, the place where God met with His people. As the Israelites entered, they moved through seven stations, each with a specific purpose. We no longer need a physical Tabernacle, but those same steps can still give structure to our prayer life today:
The Outer Court The Brazen Altar The Laver The Candlestick The Table of Showbread The Altar of Incense The Ark of the Covenant
1. The Outer Court: Thanksgiving and Praise
The first step is simple: begin with gratitude. The Israelites entered the Tabernacle with thanksgiving and praise, and we can begin the same way.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” Psalm 100:4 NIV
Thank Him for something specific: His faithfulness, your family, provision, another day, an answered prayer. Speak it, write it down, sing it, or sit quietly.
Prayer begins by turning our attention away from what we lack and toward the goodness of the God we already have.
2. The Brazen Altar: The Cross of Jesus
The Brazen Altar reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus, the final sacrifice that paid for our sins once and for all. Psalm 103 reminds us that He forgives, heals, redeems and satisfies us with good things. The prayer guide highlights five benefits of the cross:
- Salvation – God forgives our sins
- Healing – God heals
- Redemption – God rescues and restores
- Transformation – God changes us into His likeness
- Blessing – God provides what we need
Thank Jesus for the cross. Your relationship with God is not based on your performance but on what Jesus has already accomplished.
3. The Laver: Cleansing and Preparing
The Laver was a bowl of water where people washed before moving further in. For us it represents examining our hearts, confessing sin, and surrendering ourselves to God.
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
Because of Jesus, we can come honestly before God, receive His forgiveness and begin again. Ask God to search your heart, then surrender every part of yourself to Him:
- My eyes – what I look at
- My ears – what I listen to
- My mind – what I think about
- My tongue – what I speak
- My hands – what I do
“God, everything I am belongs to You. Clean my heart, renew my mind, and help my life reflect You.”
4. The Candlestick: The Holy Spirit
The seven-branched candlestick represented light. The guide connects its fire with the Holy Spirit and our calling to carry God’s light into the darkness.
The Holy Spirit comforts, guides, teaches and empowers us, and we were never meant to live the Christian life in our own strength. Ask Him to fill you again today, and pray that the Fruit of the Spirit would be visible in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Ask God to work through you through the gifts of His Spirit, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues and interpretation.
“Holy Spirit, lead me today. Give me wisdom, shape my character, and empower me to do what You are calling me to do.”
5. The Table of Showbread: The Word of God
The Table of Showbread held twelve loaves and reminds us of our need for the Word of God. Just as our bodies need food, our hearts need God’s truth.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night…” Joshua 1:8 NIV
Prayer should also make space for God to speak to us. Read Scripture slowly and ask: What are You showing me today? Is there a promise I need to believe? Is there something I need to change? How can I apply this Word today?
The guide encourages us to meditate on Scripture, claim God’s promises, ask for fresh revelation, and ask Him for a Word to carry through the day.
6. The Altar of Incense: Worship
The Altar of Incense stood near the entrance to the Holy of Holies. It represents worship and adoration of God, and this part of prayer is not about what God can give us. It is about who He is.
The guide highlights several names of God:
- Jehovah-Tsidkenu – My Righteousness
- Jehovah-Mekoddishkem – My Sanctifier
- Jehovah-Rapha – My Healer
- Jehovah-Jireh – My Provider
- Jehovah-Nissi – My Banner of Victory
- Jehovah-Shalom – My Peace
- Jehovah-Raah – My Shepherd
- Jehovah-Shammah – My Present Help
Instead of only saying, “God, I worship You,” make it personal: “You are my Provider. You have always taken care of me. You are my Peace, and I trust You with what I cannot control. You are my Shepherd. Lead me today.”
7. The Ark of the Covenant: Intercession
The final station was the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled and the priests interceded for God’s people. In the same way, part of our prayer life is lifting up other people before God.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…” 1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
Take time to pray for:
- People who are far from God
- Those in authority
- Those going through hardship
- Your family, your church, your community and your relationships
- Even those you disagree with
Ask God to move in their lives: salvation, healing, wisdom, protection, restoration and breakthrough. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone is simply bring their name before God.
A Simple Tabernacle Prayer
God, I come to You with thanksgiving. Thank You for Jesus and for everything You accomplished through the cross: forgiveness, healing, redemption, transformation and provision.
Search my heart and cleanse anything that does not belong there. I surrender my thoughts, words, actions and desires to You.
Holy Spirit, fill me today. Speak to me through Your Word and show me how to live out what You are teaching me.
I worship You for who You are: my Provider, my Healer, my Peace, my Shepherd and my present help.
And today I lift the people around me before You. Move in their lives, meet their needs, and help me to love them well.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pray First
The Tabernacle Prayer gives us a beautiful rhythm for spending time with God:
Thank Him. Remember the cross. Surrender your heart. Welcome the Holy Spirit. Receive His Word. Worship Him. Pray for others.
Prayer is not about perfectly following a formula. It is about letting each step lead us deeper into relationship with God.
And wherever you begin today, begin with Him.