His Throne Room

by David Burka

At 5:45 AM on a cold dark November morning, Jason Haley and I unlocked the front doors of the church building and sleepily made our way through the foyer. The auditorium was dark, but we were there eager to start the day. It was our "official" day of prayer and we were the first on the schedule. There was something special about being in the church building on this day as someone would be praying each hour between 6am and 10pm - as a congregation, we would pray all day.
As Psalms 122:1 says, "I was glad when they said to me, "let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalms 123:1 reminds us "to You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens." Revelation 5:8 indicates that our prayers are "bowls of incense in the throne room of God."
All day that Sunday we would bring our petitions before a Holy God, sending them up like incense. It is one thing to bring a list of wants, like a shopping list, before our Creator, but it is another to start prayer by worshipping the God to who we pray. When we see the greatness of God, when we enter His throne room with reverence, it helps put into proper perspective our "laundry list" and burdens.
After 40 minutes of worship, prayer, and tears, all of us who came that hour were exhilarated and exhausted. It is was a powerful and humbling way to start the day.
I admire the great prophet Daniel. He was a great man of prayer; even when the King made a decree that no one should worship anyone but him, Daniel boldly threw opened his windows and prayed three times a day. Daniel knew Whom he served.
Recorded in Daniel 9:17-19, we see a glimpse of his heart:
17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary.
18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy............................................
19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name."
I love verse 18; we make requests to God not because we are so righteous, but because of God's great mercy. Let me encourage you to pray today with that thought in mind.
As Jason and I left the building on that Sunday morning, my heart was a little lighter and my step a little quicker...I had just come from being in the presence of God. I noticed the next group coming in, all bundled up from the cold, their eyes still a little heavy from a night's sleep. I smiled, knowing that their demeanor would change in a few minutes...they were getting ready to enter the throne room.

December 11, 2011

Related Articles:

Print this Article

Discuss this Article

Back to the Sermon Page



His Throne Room by David Burka At 5:45 AM on a cold dark November morning, Jason Haley and I unlocked the front doors of the church building and sleepily made our way through the foyer. The auditorium was dark, but we were there eager to start the day. It was our "official" day of prayer and we were the first on the schedule. There was something special about being in the church building on this day as someone would be praying each hour between 6am and 10pm - as a congregation, we would pray all day. As Psalms 122:1 says, "I was glad when they said to me, "let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalms 123:1 reminds us "to You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens." Revelation 5:8 indicates that our prayers are "bowls of incense in the throne room of God." All day that Sunday we would bring our petitions before a Holy God, sending them up like incense. It is one thing to bring a list of wants, like a shopping list, before our Creator, but it is another to start prayer by worshipping the God to who we pray. When we see the greatness of God, when we enter His throne room with reverence, it helps put into proper perspective our "laundry list" and burdens. After 40 minutes of worship, prayer, and tears, all of us who came that hour were exhilarated and exhausted. It is was a powerful and humbling way to start the day. I admire the great prophet Daniel. He was a great man of prayer; even when the King made a decree that no one should worship anyone but him, Daniel boldly threw opened his windows and prayed three times a day. Daniel knew Whom he served. Recorded in Daniel 9:17-19, we see a glimpse of his heart: 17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy............................................ 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name." I love verse 18; we make requests to God not because we are so righteous, but because of God's great mercy. Let me encourage you to pray today with that thought in mind. As Jason and I left the building on that Sunday morning, my heart was a little lighter and my step a little quicker...I had just come from being in the presence of God. I noticed the next group coming in, all bundled up from the cold, their eyes still a little heavy from a night's sleep. I smiled, knowing that their demeanor would change in a few minutes...they were getting ready to enter the throne room. December 11, 2011 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM