“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2 (NIV)

I first encountered incense back in the 1970s, when lots of college students burned small cones or sticks in their dorm rooms. The incense burned slowly, slivers of fragrant smoke rising toward the ceiling, and the sweet smell replaced the stink of damp towels, dirty laundry and burnt popcorn. The aroma lingered in the room long after the last spark fizzled out.

Today’s key Bible verse reminds me of my dorm days:

“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2).

I picture my prayer as a bit of burning incense, rising to heaven in a thread of fragrant smoke. I imagine my words drifting upward, a sweet aroma pleasing to God. The fragrance clings to me as I step out of my prayer space and into the world. I catch a whiff as I go to work, wash dishes and walk in the park. The scent of praise clings to me as I crawl into bed at the end of my day.

Elsewhere in the Old Testament, we learn more about the ancient use of incense. In Exodus 30:7-8, God said, “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 (NIV).

The altar was in the tabernacle, the tent where the Israelites worshipped God. Aaron, the high priest, burned incense there every morning and evening.

Similarly, every morning before my feet hit the floor, I set my prayer before the Lord like incense. Every evening, I do the same as I settle into bed, lifting my praise and thanks to heaven.

At least … that’s the plan.

But sometimes I forget. Sometimes I get distracted, and sometimes I’m in no mood. I get up and go with nary a thought of God. I drop into bed at night too exhausted to care. But without prayer bracketing my day, it seems incomplete. Things don’t feel quite right. I lack the spark, the fragrance and the connection.

Fortunately, every moment of every day is a new opportunity to set our praises, requests and even our honest frustrations before the Lord like incense. We can pray morning, evening and anytime in between.

Ever since Aaron burned incense, “generations to come” (Exodus 30:8, NIV) have lifted morning and evening prayers to God. Imagine how many millions of faithful followers have set their prayers before Him … including today’s believers around the world, lifting praises and requests continually to the Lord.

I want my prayers to rise with theirs.

Lord God, I want to set my prayers before You like incense. Teach me to pray morning, evening and in between. May the fragrance mingle with all Your people’s countless prayers across time and space, an unending aroma pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Sometimes we have a desire to pray but need help putting it into practice on a daily basis. That’s why we think you’ll love our new Praying Through Your Year: 2025 Calendar. This calendar includes prayer prompts and verses that will help you connect with God throughout each month of the new year. Whether you’re a prayer warrior or just beginning to learn how to talk with God, this is a great place to start! Get yours now!

It can be so disillusioning to process things that are breaking your heart, especially when it seems like God is not intervening. Maybe you find yourself praying and processing through questions like: When is God going to right the wrongs and bring justice to this situation? How am I supposed to believe the Lord is good in light of this? Friend, let the most recent Therapy & Theology podcast episode — “How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?” — with Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress and Dr. Joel Muddamalle encourage your heart today. Listen now!

ENGAGE

Read Shirlee’s constructive thoughts and morning prayers on her Souls Under Construction website, or follow her on Facebook.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray continually …” (NIV).

Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (NIV).

When you picture your prayer as a sweet aroma rising from your heart to God’s throne, does the fragrance rise continually, or are there empty gaps? What gets in the way of praying morning, evening and in between? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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