Three Dimensions of Prayer to Explore • Deshen Daily

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭141‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

If only the Lord opens our physical eyes to see the mysteries that occur when a child of God prays! There is more to prayer than just talking with God. Let’s explore three dimensions of prayer—petition, fellowship, and sacrifice. These dimensions are not different types of prayer but levels or spheres of prayer.

The first dimension is the basic one: talking with God. Often, this is the prayer of petition, where we bring our requests to God. Though foundational, this aspect of our prayer lives is crucial. It involves talking with God, and as some say, it is a two-way communication.

Beyond talking with God, prayer steps into a higher dimension of fellowship or communion. This is where prayer becomes serious. I dare say we do not know prayer until we begin to experience communion with God. Communion is not a type of prayer but the essence of any form of prayer. In communion, we are together with Him, sharing lives. As Christians, our spirits are always in communion with God. Still, the real difference comes in communion in the soul-conscious, deliberate, and intentional communion with our mind, feelings, and desires. In this dimension of prayer, we are together with God, conscious of it, and focused on Him while our feelings sense His presence and our mouths and hearts talk to Him.This is what God created man for to commune with Him. You might be surprised to read this, but delights to be with us, hear from us, and talk to us in this communion.

But there is yet another dimension of prayer above communion, which is somewhat surprising. It is neither a type of prayer nor mutually exclusive to petitions or fellowship. It is prayer at a higher dimension when God not only cherishes our time with Him but that very time with Him becomes an offering or sacrifice like incense being offered to Him. Imagine standing in heaven dressed in priestly garments, with a golden censer in your hand burning sweet incense with a sweet-smelling aroma that is pleasant to God. Well, that is not just something to imagine; it is exactly what happens when we pray in spirit and truth! You are God’s priest!

I am unsure what these insights will do to your prayer life, but it is hard to know these things and remain the same in prayer. There is more to prayer than talking to God, so keep stepping into higher dimensions!

Meditate

How does understanding prayer as fellowship and sacrifice change your perspective?

Apply the Word

Everyone (almost) knows prayer as talking to God—at least. But few know the fellowship in prayer, and even fewer know prayer as a pleasant offering to God. Step into fellowship and sacrifice in prayer.