The bronze altar, from the days of the Tabernacle, represented judgment. Sin offerings were sacrificed there so it was not located in the Holy Place, but rather in the outer court where everyone could see as they entered. In fact, it would be the first thing one would see as they entered.

When I think about my own time with God I have to ask myself – what is my priority, my focal point, when I enter into my time of worship? Am I thinking about yesterday or the worries of tomorrow? Is my mind a million miles away when I take time to read His Word? Is my heart just not in it today? Are my eyes fixed on the Sacrifice?

For burning offerings, he made an altar out of acacia wood. It was square, 7½ feet long and 7½ feet wide, and it was 4½ feet high. He made the projections at the top of the four corners, so that they formed one piece with the altar. He covered it all with bronze. He also made all the equipment for the altar: the pans, the shovels, the bowls, the hooks, and the fire pans. All this equipment was made of bronze. He made a bronze grating and put it under the rim of the altar, so that it reached halfway up the altar. He made four carrying rings and put them on the four corners. He made carrying poles of acacia wood, covered them with bronze, and put them in the rings on each side of the altar. The altar was made of boards and was hollow. – Exodus 38:1-7 GNT

When I eavesdrop on one of Jesus’ prayers in John chapter seventeen, moments before He will be betrayed, beaten and crucified, Jesus takes time to pray on behalf of His disciples. And then another step…

“I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.” – John 17:20-21 GNT 

When prayer rises above myself, somehow there is more focus to my time with God. This kind of prayer is reflected in Paul’s life too. He opens his letter to the church of Philippi with a prayer.

I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God. – Philippians 1:9-11 GNT

Paul also models what selfless prayer looks like. The end game for both Paul and Jesus were similar – spiritual growth, live up to their full potential and be ready to stand before God and to be found to have lived a life pleasing to Him.

I am challenged to pray selflessly, even in difficult circumstances.

“Let this be the second rule: that in our petitions we ever sense our own insufficiency, and earnestly pondering how we need all that we seek, join with this prayer an earnest—nay, burning desire to attain it.” – Calvin