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Colossians 4:2
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

I believe it would be safe to say we all WANT a “Day of Pentecost” experience in this church. But before we can experience the same outcome of Pentecost, we must be willing to spend the same income that the 120 did prior to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. [Acts 1-2]

Our text for tonight’s study says “continue in prayer” [Colossians 4:2] and that is exactly what the 120 did in Acts 1:14.

Acts 1:14
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

I believe prayer works, but there’s only one way for prayer to work. You must do it.

James 5:16
16 […] The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Here the term “effectual fervent” comes from the Greek word, ἐνεργέω (energeō), which simply means to be operative, to be at work, or to put forth power (or energy). So, the only way your prayers will avail much is for you to put forth the energy to pray them. Simple enough.

One way to help you keep an “effectual fervent” prayer life is to have a model of prayer to follow. In the last session we introduced the idea of using the Tabernacle from the Old Testament as a model for your prayer. We began at the Entrance Gate, where we “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." [Psalm 100:4] Gleaning that before we do anything we must first give God praise. Then after a season of praise we pass through the gate into what is known as the Outer Court, where stands two pieces of furniture and a wall of five columns. These three items will serve as the reference point for the next three stops on our prayer journey.

The Brazen Altar is the first piece of furniture you encounter after passing through the Entrance Gate. The Hebrew word for altar, מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), means to “slaughter for sacrifice.” So, it stands to reason that once we’ve entered his court with praise, that we must then stop and offer a “slaughter for sacrifice.” We must be willing to repent. We must humble ourselves and admit that we need forgiveness. We must come to the realization that we need Jesus to save us from sin before we need Him to provide, or to heal, or to deliver us from trouble. It is important to note that the Brazen Altar was the largest piece of furniture in the Tabernacle. It needs to be said that the honesty and depth of our repentance will ultimately affect our access to the power of God’s presence when we enter the Holy of Holies, i.e. (Big Altar = Big Power | Little Altar = Little Power). Also remember this, NO sin is TOO BIG for the altar.

The Laver of Water is the next piece of furniture you will encounter in the Outer Court. Why? Simple, after a “slaughter for sacrifice” there was a need for cleansing, because slaughter is not a clean activity. So, before going any further you must stop, and take time to cleanse yourself.

Ephesians 5:26-27
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Here is where you stop and reflect on the Word of God. You cannot have an effective prayer life without the Word of God.

1 Peter 1:25-2:1
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

In the Tabernacle, before the priests could move any closer to the presence of the Lord, they had to take the time to wash at the Laver of Water. They had to make certain that there was no remnant of the sacrifice remaining on them. They had to wash both their hands and feet. The same is true for us. Before we can move forward into the Inner Court where the Holy of Holies resides, we must repent and then take the time to allow the Word to wash us of our malice (the intention or desire to do evil), guile (deceit), hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking.

The Five Pillars is the fourth stop on our prayer journey. This is the area that separates the Outer Court from the Inner Court. Once we have passed through the Entrance Gate, sacrificed at the Brazen Altar, washed at the Laver of Water, we find ourselves standing in front of the Five Pillars. These Five Pillars held up the curtain that separated the Outer from the Inner. The Outer Court was designed to provide a place of atonement, while the Inner Court provides a place of communion. These pillars were designed to hold up the weight of the Holy Place (the Inner Court). Again, Jesus said “I am the door” [John 10:9], so it is here at this door that Jesus bears the weight you carry to prayer. It is here where you can begin laying that weight upon the One who is “strong enough to lean on”. One way to do this is to liken the Five Pillars to the five attributes that Isaiah prophetically gave to Christ.

Isaiah 9:6
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

When it comes time to move away from atonement toward communion there is no better way than to recognize these five aspects of Jesus. The beauty of this is not only is Jesus the door, but He is also our heavy load bearer.

Matthew 11:28
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

1 Peter 5:7
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Stop and spend time asking for the wonder of His presence, seek counsel for direction, bring before Him those situations that need His might and power, speak of those issues that need to be heard by a loving Father, and lay before Him all the struggles of life that are causing stress and strife, in exchange for His peace. I imagine everyone would agree that our world needs these Five Pillars. Your family needs to be covered with these Five Pillars of prayer. As a church we need to have the power of God on display before a lost and dying world. How do we get this? Pray!

Suggestions/Action Items

Get a prayer journal. Begin using a prayer journal to document a daily journey with the God who answers prayer.

Commit. Find a time that works for you and give yourself to prayer.

Simply begin with this: Have you identified your Red Sea? Pray about it but this time spend time in the Outer Court of God’s Tabernacle.

Footnote: Prayer Model Adapted from Heaven to Earth, Anthony Mangun