Sunday Morning Service - Behind the Veil

Sermon Summary – Behind the Veil

• Part six of a prayer journey series.

• Focus: moving through each stage of prayer (modeled by tabernacle furniture) to reach the manifest presence of God behind the veil.

• Tied to the season of the Days of Awe and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

The Prayer Journey

1. Thanksgiving (Entering the Gate)

   • Acknowledge dependence on God.

   • Gratitude for daily blessings builds humility and faith.

2. Praise (The Courts)

   • Praise God for His works in Scripture and in personal life.

   • Strengthens confidence before making requests.

3. Brazen Altar (Repentance)

   • Clearing sin and disobedience—both actions committed and duties left undone.

4. Laver (Speaking the Word)

   • Affirming our position in Christ despite our condition.

5. Candlestick (Holy Spirit Illumination)

   • Welcoming the Spirit to renew the mind and guide prayer.

6. Table of Showbread (Truth-telling with God)

   • “Cup of coffee with God”: being fully honest—joys, anger, questions.

   • Example: hard prayer for a loved one to be broken so they might return to God (like the prodigal son).

7. Altar of Incense (Petition)

   • Prayers rise as incense before God (Psalm 141, Revelation 8).

   • Spirit-led petitions avoid selfish, flesh-driven requests.

8. Behind the Veil (The Ark / Manifest Presence)

   • Goal of prayer: intimacy with God, listening more than speaking.

   • Jesus tore the veil, granting direct access—not just distant recognition but true fellowship.

Lessons & Applications

• Manifest vs. Omnipresence: God is everywhere, but He desires to manifest Himself personally to His children.

• Prayer as Relationship: not “Walmart style” requests, but time invested with God.

• Hard Prayers: sometimes God calls us to pray for breaking, not blessing, to bring loved ones to repentance.

• Stillness & Meditation: modern culture overloads us with information; believers must learn to wait in silence before God.

• Faith & Persistence: Prayer must be effectual (energized by the Spirit), fervent (refusing to be denied), and prevailing (producing results).

Biblical Anchors

• James 5: The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.

• Ecclesiastes 5: Draw near to hear rather than offer the “sacrifice of fools.”

• John 14: Jesus promises to manifest Himself to those who obey His Word.

• Examples of persistence in prayer: Jacob wrestling, Bartimaeus crying out, the woman with the issue of blood, Zacchaeus climbing the tree.

Encouragement & Call

• Prayer is the greatest access point of power, healing, provision, and presence available on earth.

• Believers are urged to:

  • Commit more time to prayer.

  • Enter with thanksgiving and praise.

  • Seek not just God’s hand but His face.

  • Be patient like Job, consistent like Elijah, and persistent like the saints of old.

• Final invitation:

  • Unbelievers—come to Christ today.

  • Prodigals—return to the Father.

  • Christians—renew prayer life and spend time behind the veil.