“May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee” (Ps. 141:2).
Here is a verse that speaks to people who are unable to go to the Lord’s house for worship due to unfavorable circumstances. The psalmist David was fleeing from King Saul and could not go to the synagogue or temple for regular worship. These words in Psalm 141 express his desire to be a worshipper even though deprived of entrance into the house of the Lord.
During World War II, our military base was put on a three-to-four-month alert. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, we were busy preparing for the North African invasion. The first thing I missed was worship in the house of the Lord and the fellowship of the saints.
Necessity brought a few brothers in the Lord together for prayer and fellowship. Since then I have had a real compassion for people who are unable to go church.
In his commentary on the Bible, Adam Clarke comments on this verse: “The psalmist appears to have been at this time at a distance from the sanctuary, and therefore could not perform the Divine worship in the way prescribed by the law. What could he do? Why, as he could not worship God according to the letter of the law, he will worship God according to the spirit; then prayer is accepted in the place of incense; and the lifting up of his hands, in gratitude and self-dedication to God, is accepted in the place of the evening minchah or oblation.”
The lesson is: If you cannot go to the sanctuary, you can still offer up the sacrifice of praise and the incense of prayer.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.