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Prayer is the quintessential means of giving.
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50.23
It’s not difficult to see how God can refer to prayer as a “sacrifice.” Prayer involves setting our hearts right before the Lord. It leads us to focus anew on Him, enthroned in glory. It is a gift of time and words by which we enter into the Lord’s glory and participate in Him. And when we pray for our neighbors we are giving to them grace from the Lord in a powerful and effective way.
In ancient Israel prayer would have been the quintessential way of giving, both to the Lord and to their neighbors. Prayer does not require the special presence of God which the Tabernacle afforded, in order to acknowledge and give thanks for His grace. Prayer can bless a needy neighbor, even if he is not benefiting from some sacrifice or tithe or offering. Prayer keeps the heart pure, focuses the mind for a proper perspective, brings us before the Lord in His glory, and enables us to show grace to our neighbors every day.
The prayers of faithful believers are like sweet incense to the Lord (Ps. 141.2; Rev. 5.8). Paul’s exhortation to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5.17) emphasizes both the importance and efficacy of this sacrifice for acknowledging, engaging, and ministering the grace of God. Prayer is the quintessential means of giving.
For a fuller study of the pattern of worship revealed in Scripture, order the book, The Highest Thing, by T. M. Moore, from our online store. These studies and brief essays will help you to see how the pattern of sound worship, which began in the Law of God, comes to complete expression in the rest of Scripture. Pastors, we’re getting ready to start the next season of The Pastors’ Fellowship. Write to me today at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information about how you join in these online discussions. Our theme for the coming series is “The Worldview of God’s Law.” There is no charge for participation, but you must reserve a place for these monthly gatherings. Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe.