Praying Through the Tabernacle to the Throne

I am compelled to share something with you that Brother Gerald Mangun shared with me as I drove him to the funeral of an elder minister who had passed away in Louisiana.

            He opened his heart to me and told me how he learned to pray at a young age. God gave him a revelation on prayer. He called it “Praying through the Tabernacle to the Throne.” He said, “Brian, you can gain access to God through a direct line by learning how to pray like this.” What an awesome time we had together as he mentored me concerning prayer! This kind of praying is much more than just saying, “I need to pray.” It was more than just a prayer request to pray about. It was communicating what kind of praying God will receive and what kind of prayer God answers. As he went through the plan with me, Brother Mangun tied together with the Lord’s Prayer, the believer’s armor, and the Tabernacle Plan. I hope it will help you as much as it helped me.

            We are God’s witnesses on the earth. The Tabernacle was where God dwelt and spoke to His people, Israel. So it is with us. We are God’s temple where He, through our lives, reveals Himself to the world. Remember that Moses built this tabernacle from the pattern shown to him on the mountain. God rolled back the veil of the heavens, and Moses saw the original tabernacle. The earthly tabernacle is simply a replica of God’s heavenly dwelling place. He is seated upon the throne made from our praises; from there He rules over our lives, creating destiny as it pleases Him.

Four Pillars – A Doorway to Destiny

            If you desire to become this witness, where the Shekinah glory of God manifests himself through you, let’s start our prayer journey by entering in at the gate with its four pillars. This is the beginning. The four gospels are the four pillars – the report that Jesus Christ is God Almighty, the Savior of the world. We want His life and ministry to operate in our lives. It is the record of His life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and outpouring that we must proclaim to the world. Pray that your ministry will be like Jesus’ ministry, anointed and able to break every yoke. Pray that His will is done and that His kingdom will rule over every demon and human spirit. Pray that all of this will be done in your earthen vessel.

            Give thanks that you have been adopted into God’s tabernacle as a witness for Him. Rejoice that you are accepted in the beloved and given access to all of His treasures. He is our Father, and His name is glorious. Worship God as Father and be thankful He has given you His name. This is a badge of honor and authority to every believer who is ordained to be a witness.

The Brazen Altar – An Attitude of Repentance

            Then we approach the brazen altar where we receive the fire of God upon the sacrifice. Jesus Christ is both our altar and our sacrifice. He gave himself so we could receive the gift of repentance. At this altar, we plead the blood of Jesus for forgiveness.

            We receive the fire of God’s judgment against our sin and negligence. He forgives us at the altar. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. God, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

The Laver of Water – A Washing of the Word

            Next, we approach the laver of water where we see ourselves in the mirrors used to cover the laver. The water of the Word reveals our motives and the intents of our hearts. This is where we behold the truth about ourselves and don’t flinch but become brutally honest – for God demands truth in the inward parts.

            Then we ask for a washing of the water of the Word. God, let me become what the Word says I should be. Let it be unto me according to thy Word. Your will, Your way! This is important. God will not receive anyone who is not honest. You can only be changed into God’s image by beholding yourself in the mirror of His Word.

            The mirror is the perfect law of liberty, and, through this looking glass, we behold His glory. Then we are changed into His image. This is where we ask for a girding of truth and the helmet of salvation to cover our minds.

The Five Pillars – An Entrance into His Presence

            Now we approach the door of the Tabernacle that leads to the Holy Place. There is a veil with five pillars. This is the fivefold name mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. Brother Mangun told me to pray for a revelation of the power of the name: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Here we stop to worship and to inquire. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever, Amen.

            The two things David desired to do in the house of God were to behold His beauty and to inquire in His temple. Do you need God’s counsel? Now would be a good time to ask for His wisdom on a matter. Wait on God for his answer. Then, take your shield of faith, draw the sword of God’s word, dress yourself in the breastplate of righteousness, and shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

The Golden Candlestick—An Anointing that Gives Light

The Table of Shewbread—A Word that God Confirms

            Let’s march forward into the Holy Place where we see the golden candlestick. God, give me the anointing oil that brings light. Let that light shine on the shewbread. The shewbread is the rhema Word of God that must be spoken to the people. It is up to the minister to serve this bread. Only the anointed light can show you the bread of life.

God must point to the verse that should be preached. That Word is powerful enough to cut through any chain or barrier. Pray that God will give you this day the daily bread. God called it the shewbread because He wants to show us that He can confirm His own Word. Pray the Word.

The Golden Altar—A Place to Intercede for Others

            Then we step up to the golden altar. Only the fire of repentance can burn the incense of our intercession. Jesus ever makes intercession for us. We are now permitted to intercede for every lost soul, for any situation that might be troubling others or us.

            Your incense is your burning desire to see others helped by God. Any and every request can be presented now. You are ready to do battle with every force of darkness.

The Veil—Going Beyond Yourself

            Now we approach the veil with four pillars. The four pillars are to love God with all our hearts, minds, strength, and soul. The veil is the flesh. Brother Mangun told me that this is where he asked God to give him the power to go beyond himself – to give him power to operate not on his own faith but on God’s faith.

            Help me, Lord, to go beyond what only I can do. Let us enter into the Holy of Holies and ask God to give us power to do what He can do. Lord, help me get beyond my self-consciousness and enter your presence, totally unfettered by doubt. 

The Ark of the Covenant—Access to His Glory

            Finally, we step up to the Ark. Only the blood gives us access to this area. This is where we are covered by mercy, protected by angels, receive divine favor on our ministry, and will be fed with hidden manna. Hidden manna is the manna that is given to us while we walk through those dry wilderness places.

            It’s those special words from God that come to us in a dark night that let us know God is still with us. This is where the law, God’s Word, is indelibly written upon our hearts. It is here that Aaron’s rod that budded resides. This is where God allows our ministry to become fruitful, where everyone will know that we are called of God and anointed.

            Brother Mangun told me that he prays this every single day. It may be too much for you, but I’ve tried it, and it works. God is doing something with His people concerning prayer that is simply amazing. I ask you to join me in this. It may seem awkward at first but try to work yourself through it and see if your witness will become a blaze of glory.

Prayer Guide:

Gate of Tabernacle – Four Pillars – Confess your faith in the report of Jesus’ life (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Father, hallowed be thy name. Gird your loins with truth. You have been adopted, accepted, and given access to God’s treasures.

Brazen Altar – Repent and pray for God’s fire to fall on your life. Forgive us as we forgive our debtors. Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Laver of Water – Be honest with God and ask him to wash you with His Word. Thy will be done in earth as it is heaven. Don the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness by placing faith in Jesus Christ and His Word.

Door to the Holy Place – Five Pillars – Pray for a revelation of the name. Pray for a revelation of His love. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Hide me in the covert of your wings.

• Wonderful – Stand in awe at His presence.
• Counselor – Inquire about His wisdom.
• Mighty God – Magnify Him.
• Everlasting Father – Adore Him.
• Prince of Peace – Rest in Him.

Golden Candlestick – Pray for the anointing that gives light. Take the shield of faith and draw your sword of the Word and prepare for battle.

Table of Shewbread – Pray for the right word to be spoken. Pray for daily bread. Pray that God will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory.

Golden Altar – Pray intercessory prayers.

Veil to the Holy of Holies – Four Pillars – Pray to go beyond yourself, to give yourself entirely to him. Love God with all your soul, mind, heart, and strength.

Ark of the Covenant

• Covering of Cherubims – Pray for angelic help.
• Mercy Seat – Pray for God’s mercy and favor on your life.
• Golden Pot of Manna – Pray for the assuring Word to sustain you in your journey.
• Aaron’s Rod that Budded – Pray that God will confirm your ministry.
• Shekinah Glory Covers the Ark—God’s acceptance of your ministry.