Prayers as Incense

Here is a 7-point sermon outline on "Prayers as Incense", with illustrations and supporting scriptures:

Theme: "Prayers as Incense"

Key Scripture: Revelation 5:8 - "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people."

1. The Symbolism of Incense

Illustration: In ancient temples, priests burned incense as a fragrant offering to God, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to heaven. The sweet aroma represented the devotion and reverence of worshipers.

Supporting Scripture: Psalm 141:2 - "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Additional Scriptures:

Exodus 30:7-8 - "Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come."

Malachi 1:11 - "My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations."

Application: Our prayers, like incense, should rise continually before God, filling His presence with the fragrance of faith and surrender.

2. The Divine Design of Prayer

Illustration: Just as incense was carefully prepared with specific ingredients in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:34-36), our prayers are designed to be heartfelt, specific, and aligned with God’s will.

Supporting Scripture: 1 John 5:14 - "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

Additional Scriptures:

Matthew 6:9-10 - "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'"

Romans 8:26-27 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

Application: Pray with intentionality and reverence, trusting that God has ordained your prayers to align with His purposes.

3. The Rising Nature of Prayer

Illustration: Smoke from burning incense rises upward, undeterred by obstacles. Similarly, our prayers ascend to God, no matter the circumstances.

Key Scripture: Daniel 6:10 - "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

Additional Scriptures:

James 5:16 - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Psalm 55:17 - "Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice."

Application: Pray persistently, believing that your prayers will reach the throne of grace regardless of trials or opposition.

4. The Sweet Aroma of Faith

Illustration: Just as a pleasant fragrance fills a room, the prayers of the faithful fill heaven with a pleasing aroma that delights God.

Key Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Additional Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 2:15 - "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

Leviticus 16:12-13 - "He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain."

Application: Pray with faith, knowing that God finds joy in the sweet aroma of your trust in Him.

5. The Collective Power of Prayers

Illustration: In Revelation, the golden bowls are full of incense, representing the collective prayers of the saints. Each individual prayer contributes to the larger fragrance.

Key Scripture: Matthew 18:19-20 - "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."

Additional Scriptures:

Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."

Application: Join in corporate prayer, recognizing the multiplied impact of unity in intercession.

6. Prayer as Worship

Illustration: Just as the burning of incense was an act of worship in the temple, our prayers are an integral part of our worship today.

Supporting Scripture: John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

Additional Scriptures:

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Chronicles 16:29 - "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."

Application: Approach prayer as more than requests; let it be an act of adoration, thanksgiving, and surrender.

7. The Eternal Impact of Prayer

Illustration: In Revelation, the prayers of the saints are preserved in golden bowls, signifying their eternal value.

Key Scripture: Revelation 8:3-4 - "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand."

Additional Scriptures:

Romans 12:12 - "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

Application: Pray with the confidence that your prayers are not forgotten but treasured and acted upon by God.

Conclusion

Call to Action: Let your prayers rise as incense before God, reflecting a life of faith, worship, and surrender. Be persistent, intentional, and united in prayer, trusting that your prayers have a profound impact in heaven and on earth.

Closing Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Feel free to expand on each point or adapt the illustrations and scriptures to suit your audience!