INTRODUCTION

I am not thee voice for Christianity and I am not just a voice. I am a shephard, a missionary, a church planter, an anointed pastor and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. This study is based upon my walk and personal experience on several secrets I have found that have helped me in my approaching of the throne of the Most High God.

What I have discovered is, for me, there are 4 kinds of prayer. 

1. Common Prayer - I talk to God like a friend talks to a friend. Every day. All day.

2. Prayer of Intent - I make specific request to God for my needs and the needs of others.

3. Meditation - This is a time when I seek God's guidance. I ask a question and then sit quietly, listening for Him to speak.

4. Corporate Prayer - This is when I am leading others to his throne room. That is what this study is about.

At the heart of Corporate Prayer, I found 4 key things: 

1. The Old Testament Priest approached the throne room of God for the people.

2. We are called to be New Testament Kings and Priests.

3. Christ is our King and High Priest. 

4. We now have direct access to his throne room through Christ.

In the Old Testament there was a system, a structure, an order, before the priest entered the Holy of Holies. When I first learned to pray, the Lord revealed these secrets to me. He didn't just reveal them to me. They are also in his written word for all mankind to read. I just so happened to put this puzzle together 45 years "after" becoming a Christian. I started to implement it in my personal prayer structure, and it greatly helped me prepare myself as I approached the throne of God. Do I follow these steps when I am driving in my car just talking to God? No. But when I am clothed in Christ and I am leading his people in "Corporate Prayer" I do. I use this guide when I am praying in public. Why? Because he calls all of us, King and Priest. I don't take that as a joke. I would surrender my last breath to him right now for all that he has done for me. The least I can do, is bring to him honor when leading his people in prayer. I hope this study helps others who are not sure how to pray. This system does not have to be followed. Follow it or don’t. The most important thing about prayer is your intent and purpose. May this study be a BLESSING to you and not a religious order.

THE APPROACH

If I am going to approach him in community, with others, then I seek him in solitude and prepare my soul to talk to him first. I remember in the Old Testament when Moses went to talk to God, he said to him, "Take your shoes off..." When you go over your Atheist neighbor’s house, for dinner, do you not shower and put on nice clothes? Do you not prepare yourself? Maybe your prayers do not get answered because you show ZERO honor to your Heavenly Father. As a child of God, you have inherited the title King and Priest. First, prepare your heart and mind when you are about to lead Gods people in Corporate Prayer. If he identifies you as a Priest, then perform the responsibility of your identity. Take on the accountability. This has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do with his GREATNESS and HOLINESS. Show respect. The fear of him is the beginning of knowledge. Psalms 29:2 says, "Bring to the Lord, honor." King Davd wrote that. He was a King. That is the language of a King. You are given the title King as a child of God. That title was given to you by the King of all Kings. When I speak on the behalf of God's people, I take it seriously and prepare myself way before my mouth opens in Corporate Prayer.

When I approach the Lord in prayer, I first offer to him a heart of thanksgiving and gratefulness.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THE SACRIFICE ITSELF WAS AN ACT OF WORSHIP

1.  They brought the animal before the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle or Temple.

2.  They laid hands on the animal identifying with it and acknowledging the need for atonement or dedication.

3.  They slaughtered the animal either by the worshiper or priest, depending on the offering.

4.  They applied the sprinkling of the the blood as prescribed.

5.  They burnt all or part of the offering on the altar.

"He shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." — Leviticus 1:4

In the Old Testament, there are examples where worship and sacrifice were closely linked:

1.  King David offered sacrifices while praising God.

2.  King Solomon dedicated the Temple with prayer and sacrifices.

3.  The Levites and musicians often sang and played instruments during Temple worship.

"And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also..." — 2 Chronicles 29:27

So, the pattern was not usually "worship first, sacrifice second." Instead, the sacrifice was itself an act of worship, often accompanied by prayer, confession, thanksgiving, singing, or praise depending on the occasion.  The heart attitude was what mattered most to God. Let me repeat it becasue you can't just miss this. The heart attitude was what mattered most to God. When you pray, the people are not gonna remember what you said. But I promise you this. They will remember your heart attitude.

"To obey is better than sacrifice." — 1 Samuel 15:22

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart." — Psalms 51:17

In today's age, we no longer bring animal sacrifice to the Lord. Instead, we just confess our sins. When I am leading God's people in prayer or joining them, I make it a point to acknowledge my sin and /or our sin. I speak to the Lamb that was slain. I don't ignore what he did for me/us and then just start making my personal request known. In the confessing of sin, I also exalt him and glorify him with a heart of thankfulness.  All this is done at the same time.

RECAP: WHEN APPROACHING THE THRONE OF GOD IN CORPORATE PRAYER

1. Prepare your heart and mind.

2. Seek forgiveness of sin. 

3. Exalt the Lamb of God.

4. Glorify him for what he did.

KEY POINT

When we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive them. So, during the confession of sin, exalt him, worship him, glorify him with your mouth, humble yourslef before him and worship him for who he is and what he has done!

THE HISTORY

In the Tabernacle period, the priests washed at the bronze basin that stood between the altar and the Tent of Meeting. For ordinary priestly service, they washed their hands and feet there (Exodus 30:17–21). However, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was commanded to "bathe his body in water" (Leviticus 16:4, 24), which was more extensive than simply washing hands and feet. During the Second Temple period, Jewish sources indicate that the high priest immersed his entire body multiple times in ritual baths called mikva'ot. Archaeologists have discovered numerous mikva'ot around the Temple Mount and throughout ancient Jerusalem. A typical mikveh was a small pool with steps leading down into naturally gathered water (such as rainwater, or water connected to a natural source). The priest would descend into the water and immerse his entire body. According to later Jewish tradition, the high priest immersed himself five times and washed his hands and feet ten times during the Day of Atonement service. The washing symbolized purification before approaching God's holy presence. For Christians, this cleansing is often viewed as foreshadowing the perfect purity of Christ and the spiritual cleansing He provides.

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? ... He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." — Psalms 24:3–4

THE APPLICATION

1. I wash myself and make sure I am physically clean.

2. I publicly ask him to clean my heart and the heart of the listener.

LET'S UNPACK THAT

Are we not already clean? According to the New Covenant Promise, all our sins are forgiven. True, but what lives in me is sin. It doesn't just live in me. At times, it rules and reigns, and this is why we seek forgiveness before we make our request known to God. I am not referring to the blotting out of all our past, present, future transgressions. I am referring to King Davids plea in Psalms 66:18. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." As I stand before others in Corporate Prayer, I point blank, ask the Lord to create in us clean hearts. I ask him to wash us. I ask him to do what only he can do. I outwardly show that, before any request are made known, we seek to stand before him with clean hearts. 

After the animal sacrifice, depending on the sacrifice, the priest was allowed or required to eat a portion.

For example:

1. Certain sin offerings.

2. Grain offerings.

3. Peace offerings

In some cases, portions were eaten by priests, and in other cases by the worshiper and his family. 

"The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it." — Leviticus 6:26

There was one other thing in the temple that I noticed and loved the symbolism of. The Bread. Also called:

1. Showbread (KJV)

2. Bread of the Presence (ESV, NIV)

3. Bread set before the Lord

It was placed directly before God's presence, just outside the veil leading to the Holy of Holies. 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, each Sabbath it was replaced with new bread. Why twelve loaves? The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The symbolism was that all Israel was continually presented before God.

"And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof..." — Leviticus 24:5

Why did the priests eat it? The bread symbolized fellowship and communion with God. In the ancient Near East, sharing a meal signified peace, fellowship, covenant, and relationship. Israel was represented before God continually, and the priests, acting as representatives of the nation, partook of the bread that had been in God's presence. It was a picture that God desired fellowship with His people.

WHAT I REALLY LOVE

Honestly, what I love the most is the tiny little thought that when the priest talked to him he actually "cared" about their stomachs. I'm sure the priest was nervous. No? One wrong move and he could be dead. So, the fact that God wanted him to eat the bread, or the sin offering, to fill him up and satisfy him physically, mattered to me. Why? Because he cares about the little, tiny things that matter to me, matter to you! It is these types of things that make the whole relationship between us and him, personal. He is a God who cares! 

MERCY OVER SACRIFICE

What about David eating the showbread? One famous exception occurred when King David was fleeing from King Saul. The priest gave David the consecrated bread because there was no ordinary bread available. This account is found in 1 Samuel 21. Later, Jesus referenced this event: "Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry... how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread...?" — Matthew 12:3-4. Jesus used it to teach that mercy and human need can take precedence over ceremonial regulations. This story was to prove that God desired MERCY way above SACRIFICE. Man will always try to practice religion and law over mercy. That is because their heart is wicked.

THE BREAD

1. Satisfied the priest.

2. It was before the throne 24.7.365. Always.

3. It represented the 12 Tribes of Israel, Gods people.

4. It sustained the priest. It filled them up.

5. It satisfied them 

WHERE IS CHRIST IN THIS SHOWBREAD?

1. He is the Bread of Life. John 6:35

2. He is always before Gods throne everyday - just like the bread was.

3. He represents Gods People.

4. He is our sustenance 

5. He is our satisfaction.

A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE

1. The priest offers sacrifice.

2. Atonement is made. Reconciliation.

3. Fellowship follows. Communion.

4. Bread is eaten in God's presence.

CONCLUSION

The showbread was much more than food. It was a continual reminder that God desired His people to dwell before Him, be accepted in His presence, be physically satisfied in his prescence, and enjoy fellowship with Him.

THE APPLICATION

When I pray in Corporate Prayer:

1. I prepare myself

2. I seek corporate forgiveness as I worship Christ.

3. I seek the washing of his blood over myself and the people. I seek clean hearts.

4. I verbally declare:

     A.  Our fulfillment is not in bread alone, but in his words.

     B. Our satisfaction is found in him.

     C. Our fountains are all found in him.

     D. I glorify Christ again and again.

Do you see where I am going with this? :)

On the Day of Atonement, before entering the Holy of Holies, the high priest took fire from the altar and carried it inside along with incense.

The sequence in Leviticus 16 was:

1. Sacrifice the bull for his own sin.

2. Take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord.

3. Take two handfuls of finely ground incense.

4. Enter within the veil.

5. Enter into the Holy of Holy's 

"And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord... and bring it within the veil: — Leviticus 16:12

APPLICATION TODAY

1. We enter Gods presence with FIRE, his Holy Spirit. 

2. Christ calls the Holy Spirit, his Spirit. I ask for Christ, my Mediator, to fill me. To fill us!

One of my biggest kept secrets in Christianity is that when I ask for the Spirit, I am asking for Christ. Period. Why do people feel that the Spirit is something totally different than Christ? It's Christ. Scripture tells us that God is a Spirit. Jesus is God. Jesus is also a Spirit. That is why he calls the Holy Spirit his Spirit. That is how Christ can be in me and in you at the exact same time. When I stand at the alter and church members come forward, sometimes they tell me the reason why they are coming forward is because they want to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I look at them. I smile. Then I say, "I like that. What you’re telling me is you want ot be filled with Christ. You want more of him. You want the mind of Christ to be in you. You want to walk in his power! His might. Let me tell you how you can immediately do this."

IN CONCLUSION

The Old Testament Priest lit the fire in the Temple Court, put coals on it, then took those hot fiery colas into the Holy of Holy's. You want to be involved in Corporate Prayer? You need to:

1. Make yourself right first.

2. Call out the sin in the audience. Cover it with high exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the WORSHIP :)

3. Seek the washing of the hearts, souls and minds of the audience.

4. Declare the true BREAD OF LIFE, the only one that satisfies. Declare him!! Lift him up!

5. Light the fire. Call in his Spirit. Use authority and request it on the behalf of the listener. You’re a High Priest. Act like it.

Before the priest approached the Mercy Seat: 

1. He placed the incense on the burning coals so that a cloud of incense covered the mercy seat.

2. YHWH wanted the cloud of incense to cover the seat. 

"And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord... and bring it within the veil: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat..." — Leviticus 16:12–13

SCRIPTURE TELLS US, THROUGH SYMBOLISM, THE INCENSE IS THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

"And 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." - Revelations 5:8

"Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense." — Psalms 141:2

KEY TAKEAWAY

Our prayers are like a sweet smelling aroma to God. He loves our prayers!

THE APPLICABILITY

At this point, you are spiritually in front of the Throne Room of an Almighty God. You are a High Priest. You are a Mediator. You may be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but others should see you Clothed in the Son of God. This is what it means to be Clothed in Christ. You have respected the House. You have done things decently and in order. You have ushered those close to God, and those far from God, into the presence of God. This is your job. You’re standing there. He is waiting your request. It is his good will to give you The Kingdom. Are you going to ask for it? You better. It's GO TIME. Ask for the farm. Ask for it all. Take one guess who made you a King and a Priest. It is not co-incidence you are standing before his children. Take everything you have ever heard and read. Forget it all. And just speak.

How cool is it that the Ark of the Covenant, the foundation of Gods Covenant with man, where his presence and spirit dwelt, was called the MERCY seat? :)

THE MERCY SEAT

The Mercy Seat is one of the most important symbols in the entire Bible. It was not a chair or a seat that someone sat on. It was the gold cover, the lid placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant.

God told Moses: "And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold..." — Exodus 25:17

The Mercy Seat sat directly on top of the Ark, which contained: 

1. The stone tablets of the Law

2. Aaron's rod that budded

3. A golden pot of manna. 

4. Above the Mercy Seat - Two golden cherubim with wings stretched out over it.

WHY WAS IT CALLED THE MERCY SEAT? 

The Ark contained the Law of God. The law testified against sinful mankind because everyone had broken God's commandments. Yet between God's presence above, and the broken Law below, was the Mercy Seat, a symbol of God's mercy.

THE PROFOUND PICTURE OF GODS CHARACTER

1. Below: God's righteous Law.

2. Above: God's holy presence.

3. Between them: Mercy.

GODS PRESENCE

God told Moses: "There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat..." — Exodus 25:22

The Mercy Seat was the earthly meeting place between God and His covenant people. It was the visible manifestation of God's glory (often called the Shekinah Glory). Many Bible Verses say you could see it.

ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

1. Once a year, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies.

2. He sprinkled blood on and before the Mercy Seat.

"And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward..." — Leviticus 16:14

THE HEART OF IT

1. The Law says, "The soul that sins shall die."

2. The people have sinned.

3. Blood is brought before God.

4. Mercy is granted.

5. Judgment is satisfied

6. Mercy is extended.

THE CHERIBUM SIGNIFICANCE

The cherubim on the Mercy Seat are not decorative. Throughout Scripture, cherubim are associated with guarding God's holiness. After Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden:

1. God placed cherubim at the entrance to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)

2. On the Ark, the cherubim look toward the Mercy Seat.

3. It is as though heaven itself is gazing upon the place where God provides atonement.

THE HEBREW IDEA

1. The Hebrew word behind "Mercy Seat" (kapporeth) is related to the idea of covering or atonement.

2. Sin was not ignored.

3. Sin was covered through the sacrificial blood that God appointed.

HOW DOES IT POINT TO CHRIST?

This is where the New Testament becomes extraordinary. In Romans 3:25, Paul says that God presented Christ as a propitiation. The Greek word used there (hilastērion) is the same word used in the Greek Old Testament for the Mercy Seat. Many scholars translate the idea as: Christ is the true Mercy Seat.

THE MERCY SEAT

1. The Mercy Seat was where blood was presented.

2. The Mercy Seat was where God met man.

3. The Mercy Seat was where judgment and mercy met.

4. Christ fulfills all three.

IMAGINE STANDING THERE

1. The room is dark (Despite what you think, God does dwell in thick darkness too)

2. The glory of God was in the dark

3. Before you is the Ark.

4. Inside the Ark is the Law that condemns sinners.

5. Above the Ark is the holy presence of God.

6. On the Mercy Seat is the blood of atonement.

7. You prepare yourself, then you walk in with the fire.

8. Then your return with the incense.

9. Then you pour the blood on the Mercy Seat.

10. Atonement is your wish

THE MESSAGE

God's holiness is real. God's Law is real. Sin is real. But God has provided a way for mercy to triumph over judgment through the blood He Himself appointed. That is why the Mercy Seat sits at the very center of Israel's worship and why many Christians see it as one of the clearest Old Testament pictures of the saving work of Jesus Christ.

BECAUSE OF HIM

1. We are now worthy to approach the Holy of Holies because of Christ.

2. We are now High Priest in Christ.

3. We confess our sins because we desire to follow Christ.

4. We remove our filthy garments and we put on Christ.

5. We find our satisfaction in Christ.

6. We seek the fire which is Christ.

7. We make intercession for ourselves and other saints, just like Christ.

8. We find mercy, all because of one person. Christ.

THE APPLICATION

You’re in the throne room. Ask for mercy for yourself, your city, your church, the lost, those far from God, those close to God. He desires MERCY over sacrifice. Give him what he desires. Make your prayer pleasing in his sight. You’re standing there with Christ. Speak with boldness. Speak with clarity. Speak with faith. Speak as of the oracle of God. Let the Spirit fo Christ move you on behalf of his people.

WHAT WE SEE THROUGH THE OLD COVENANT LAW

OUTSIDE THE COURT

1.  Only the qualified Priest could enter.

IN THE TEMPLE COURT

1.  He would sacrifice for the sins.

2.  Then would wash himself.

IN THE WASHING

1.  He removed his filthy clothes first

2.  Then washed himself

3.  Then put on new garments.  His priestly clothes. 

IN THE HOLY PLACE

1.  The Golden Lampstand . He would light the fire.

2.  The Altar of Incense. He would light the incense.

3.  The Table of Showbread. He would eat the bread

4.  The Mercy Seat - He would make intercession for the people.

7 STEPS

1.  The Approach

2.  The Sacrifice

3.  The Washing

4.  The Satisfaction

5.  The Fire

6.  The Heavenly Incense

7.  The Mercy Seat

7 IMAGES

1.  The Preparation

2.  The Alter

3.  The Water

4.  The Food

5.  The Power

6.  The Fragrance

7.  The Holiness

WHAT WE SEE IN THE FREEDOM OF THE NEW COVENANT 

1.  We search our soul before we approach him.

2.  We approach him in solitude but also community sometimes.

3.  We confess our sin.

4.  We always seek atonement and to be made right before God.

5.  We claim the authority of our Mediator Christ Jesus.

6.  We acknowledge the sacrifice of Christ that cleaned us.

7.  We allow the bread broken for us (his body) that truly satisfies us.

8.  We invite the Holy Spirit fire over us. The fire that guides and moves us.

9.  We offer incense to God by praying. We pray for ourselves. We pray for others.

10.  We seek Mercy. We obtain mercy.  

CHRIST - OUR MEDIATOR

1.  THE APPROCAH - He is in the approach. His Spirit in us help us in our approach to God.

2.  THE SACRIFICE - He is our sacrifice that allows us to worship God. He is the blood shed for our forgiveness.

3.  THE WASHING - Before the priest washed himself, he changed his clothes.  We put on the Lord Jesus because we have been washed by him and made clean.

4.  THE SATISFACTION - Our satisfaction is found in him.  He is the bread that fills us and sustains us.

5.  THE FIRE - His Holy Spirit not only empowers but teaches us to pray and it intercedes for us.  It knows how to ask for the things we really need.

6.  THE INCENSE - No we are able to pray because of him.  Our prayers are the incense, the sweet-smelling savor to God.  He loves our prayers.

7.  THE MERCY - Because of his blood, we can now approach the throne of the Father in confidence and find mercy.

BECASUE OF HIM

1.  We are now Kings

2.  We are now High Priest

3.  We can now enter the Holy of Holies

4.  We have power

5.  We are heard

6.  We are now loved

7.  We find mercy.

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

“Let us draw near (to the throne of God the Father) with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." — Hebrews 10:22

PHOTO:  The first tabernacle was in a tent.  God gave the instructions in Exodus 25–31, and it was constructed while Israel was traveling through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Because the Israelites were constantly moving, the Tabernacle was designed to be taken apart, transported, and reassembled whenever the camp moved.

PHOTO:  After Solomons Temple was destroyed, Nehemiah reconstructed a new one.