07 / 15 / 06
(Comments in parentheses and emphasis are mine)

FIRST THOUGHTS:

This is ONLY for those who desire to find a closer walk with the Messiah. (Those who love to find ways to please Him and obey Him.) It is deep and is about things which are only spiritually discerned … “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5) and “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

My friends … we are in that time. What we are about to share is simply another appointment for us to meet with God.

To those who are already (or contemplating to):

- Honoring and keeping the 7th day Sabbath (for they realize what God means by “the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20:11b) They meet God every Sabbath during the day He put aside).
- Celebrating God’s appointed days (feasts) … (for they walk with God through these reminders of and waiting patiently for what He is going to do in the future on these appointment).
- Celebrating the New Moon each month … celebrating Gods provision for us and remembering our spiritual rebirth … (for they realize this is just another way to be reminded of who God is and what He did for us).

Throughout the Spirit’s movement in these days, there is another appointment that we were given by God, so that we may remain near to the One we love. How do we fulfill the hidden spiritual command in Numbers 28:3-4, the command to offer up two unblemished lambs each day.

Numbers 28:3-4 … “And you shall say to them: ‘This is the offering by fire which you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs one year old without defect, as a continual burnt offering every day. You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.”

Again, as children separated unto God, we look for ways to obey God out of our love for the Savior, not like the world who seems to look for ways to disobey His Law and rebel. Our purpose here on earth is to know God and know Him fully. The verses you are about to read reveal that our forefathers (Yes, even those during our Savior’s time on earth) were praying at specific times during the day in addition to “praying without ceasing.” The verses reveal how we can fulfill and how God’s children carried out this command to present a continual burnt offering. Enjoy and walk as our Savior walked.

THE COMMAND TO CONTINUALLY OFFER A SACRIFICE:

This offering found in Numbers 28:3-4 was to be continually before the Lord. An aroma that was rising up to God’s throne all day long. Here is the question: Are these prayers our forefathers were doing actually a way to obey the command of offering the sacrifices at morning and evening? There is a “coincidence” when one reads 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 … “pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Both the sacrifice and prayer are to be done continually … it is God’s will!! Both are done with unblemished lambs! We now know who the Unblemished Lamb is … it is our Savior. In John 14:6 we find that … “No one comes to the Father except through me.” This statement covers not only salvation, but even in our prayers … in our communication with the Father. We cannot go to the Father unless it is through that Unblemished Lamb!! So, when we offer up a prayer, it is through the Lamb. The symbolism is the same: In the temple, they participated by supplying the lamb to be sacrificed … we participate by offering up the Unblemished Lamb before God, as well.

It was also for the generations to come (see Exodus 29:38-42 … verse 42 reveals it to be for generations to come). Since that is the case, it is for God’s children today, as well. Since we are fellow heirs with them, part of the greater Israel, those commands are for us today, to embrace and cherish.

How did THEY do it? How did these common Israelites obey this command when only a priest can make the sacrifice? They participated by supplying the means to purchase / or supply the lamb that was being offered. This way, they all participated in the sacrifice. Let us look at the command a little more closely. It was directed to the common individual Israelites (not to the priests) Numbers 28:2 … “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me.’”

If they participated by supplying the lamb, how are we to participate then? What we will see is that it is through prayer at these appointed times of God’s.

VERSES THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE THOUGHT:

FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN TO ITS GOING DOWN, WE ARE TO CONTINUALLY PRAISE GOD (PRAY):

- “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.” (Psalm 50:1)
- “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)
- “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 1:11)
- “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15)

We know that the incense spoken about in the temple symbolizes the prayers of the saints … as found in Revelation 5:8 … “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” It is our prayers that are being offered to fill the bowls of incense. Just like the command to continually offer the lambs … so too, we are to be continually filling the bowl of incense through the Unblemished Lamb. Is this part of the command found in Numbers 28? It is clear that it IS a command to keep the burnt offering burning before God. (To continually present to God our unblemished Lamb!)

NOTE: I can hear the cries … “Aha”, many may say, “A set time? No way! It is ALL day long we are to pray. It is all day long that we are to offer up our praise and thanksgiving”. (How many really do that, as well? It is easy to say this to avoid making these appointments, or any appointment, part of your day, week, or year.) To that, may I offer, that although that statement is correct, there has to be some point where the offering starts. Doesn’t someone have to start the sacrifice burning? At one point, the lamb had to be offered, the fire started, the lamb slain, the process started. Is there an appointed time to start? To say that we can pray any time and all day long … without specific times in addition, is the same reasoning that many still use to avoid the Sabbath appointment … “Everyday is the Sabbath to me. We are to worship God every day, now.” To them, we humbly give (Hebrews 4:9-10 … “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, JUST AS GOD DID FROM HIS.”) Scripture proves these statements about the Sabbath being changed as incorrect. What is being presented today is Scripture showing a certain time they prayed, as well.

WE FIND OUR FOREFATHERS PRAYING DURING THE TIMES OF THE DAILY SACRIFICES!!

- It was during the time of sacrifice that we find Elijah praying in 1 Kings 18:36a … “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed …”
- “And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.” (Luke 1:10)
- “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance (They usually went to the temple during the times of sacrifices) and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ He said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ (Acts 22:16-17)
- “They devoted themselves to … prayer.” (lit. THE prayers).” (Acts 2:42)

Many are too busy with life here on earth. Times of prayer could be just another “thing to do” on an already packed list of chores. However, as children of God, we desire to be with Him. The gaining of wealth, possessions and power is no longer at the top of our list anymore!! It is to praise God continually. And, for me? Well, to have an appointment with God to keep? “Thank you, Lord!” This helps me live out that desire to be with Him continually (God knows me and how frail and forgetful I am). When my cell phone goes off to remind me that it is time to pray, it catches me and humbles me … “I forgot, again.”

- Let us not forget that AFTER our Messiah was raised from the dead, His followers were found in Luke 24:52-53 … “Then they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Yes … continually … as if that were their only purpose on earth! The sacrifices were still being done … and it was during these times they were praying as a group at the Temple.)

THE COMMAND WAS TO PRESENT THESE OFFERINGS … “IN THE MORNING” (9:00 a.m. is the third hour and usually the time of the morning Temple sacrifice):

- “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)
- We all know about the giving of the Spirit during the feast of Pentecost … but at what time was it and what were they doing? They were together in one place and it was 9:00 in the morning! (Most likely, it was in the Temple). (Acts 2:1-4, 15)
- “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Mark 1:35) (Was our Savior simply starting the sacrifices early for that day?)
- Of course, great things happen during God’s appointments: “It was the third hour when they crucified Him.” (Mark 15:25) (No doubt, our Savior was in prayer … since He could do nothing without His Father’s approval. He was in constant prayer!)

THE COMMAND WAS TO PRESENT THESE OFFERINGS … “AT TWILIGHT” (Or evening, which in the Temple was done at the ninth hour … about 3:00 p.m.):

- “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)
- “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision …” Acts 10:2-3
- “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.” (Acts 3:1) (Doesn’t this throw up the red flag for you, as it did me? I thought … am I missing something? There has to be a reason that three in the afternoon is mentioned! And what is up with it being “during the time of prayer”?)
- “Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the Lord my God and prayed …” (Ezra 9:5-6a)
- “While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.” (Daniel 9:21)
- Remember how our Savior fulfilled the morning sacrifice? We can’t forget that our Father works during His appointed times, so let us turn to Mark 15:34 and 37. No doubt we will find our Savior in prayer: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out (Prayed) in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” …. “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last.” (He prayed and then WAS the sacrifice, as well)

LAST THOUGHTS:

How many of you start the day by talking to God and end the day by talking to God? For me … it is the time between, during the “war” at work, that stress, appointments, and everyone pulling me in all directions, I tend to stray from God. Except for the obvious witnessing opportunities, yes, I often “forget” to acknowledge God as being the one that I am living for. So, when I saw these verses, a light bulb lit up, then we went to the conference in Pennsylvania about prayer, and what do you think it was on? I heard my Father lovingly say, “Come to me during those times. Check in with me while you are away from my presence.”

Pray continually? Pray at a certain time? To me, we, as parents, say the same thing to our children. We ask them to call and check in with us when they are gone, so we can make sure that they are okay. It is a privilege and an honor to be able to come to the Lord in prayer … I am not going to argue this one. I have found much joy in these times. To actually stop and refocus in the middle of the day has been exciting and fulfilling. What can be better for a child who longs to be with his Father?

So … what do I do? My cell phone is programmed to go off at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.. I then call my wife, the children are usually with her, we stop and we pray. Now is usually not the time we give Him the “wish list” of what we want, it is a time to praise Him and thank Him for being our God. Acknowledging His authority over our lives. We will sing a psalm back to him, pray, and then proceed with our day. Is this just another “to do” on my daily list? Not at all, but an answer to my prayer, “Father, I don’t want to forget to come to you continually.”

All I am asking is to “just think about it.”

“PRAYER BEING A SACRIFICE (prayer times)”

1.) OUR WALK IN THE BEGINNING

Do you remember when you first started to walk in obedience? The excitement every time we found another command of God to obey. We knew the Spirit of God was working within us writing His Law on our hearts. We knew we had to obey God … but what and how did we obey was the question. Those were exciting days, at least for me. We let go of the world’s thinking and embraced our Savior’s teaching of obedience intertwined with love.

Back then, we would call up a friend who was walking the same way and say, “WOW … did you know that God command’s us to …. (and then you relay what you have found). Now that we are more learned, we realize that the person we were sharing with already knew this and were simply allowing us to share our joy. (Kind of displaying their love for their younger sibling).

That was earlier, in our walk. Today, though, we seem to get excited about the HOW to live out each command, right? This is where we must be careful … our display of the command cannot become the command. I mean, in the beginning, I realize that I was to “Obey the Sabbath day and keep it holy” … so that is what I did. So there I was sitting for 24 hours … not knowing what to do. I didn’t want to disappoint my Father and I didn’t know what I could or could not do on this day! I remember those days being long and boring. The excitement came when I found out “HOW” to obey the Sabbath.

What I am getting to is … at our fingertips may be another command or simply another way to live out a command to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all of our soul, and which all of our strength. My question: Does the command to “offer the one lamb in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight” (Numbers 28:4) mean to pray during these times? Let us explore this with open hearts. Hearts that desire to know the Lord more intimately.

We have to be very careful when we live out obedience. There is the original command and then there’s the how does God intend us to live out each command. We cannot add to it, or take away from it. We cannot force others to live it out the way we have come to realize God’s intentions, either. For example, just the other day, because of our discussion about this prayer time idea, I realized to buy and sell on the Sabbath is not a direct command from the Torah. I thought it was!! We all enjoy finding ways to come nearer to God … to commune with God … to please God and become more like His Son. That is our zeal and our passion. We know that we are to dress modestly. Modestly to one person, though, may be revealing to another. There is to be love entwined with all our obedience.

Have you ever seen two home-schooling Moms coming together and sharing what works for them? The Mom listening has a choice, to embrace this new idea (will it work for me), or discard it (out of love). There is no difference than two believers sharing new found ways to come to the Father. There are two points at hand that I will be presenting:

1.) Is the set time of prayers a command from the original command to sacrifice?
2.) Is these prayers to be liturgical or spontaneous.

When I saw that the Jews were not buying and selling on the Sabbath, I had a choice. I thought, “yes. Why do I want to mingle with those who are working and not resting on the Sabbath.” We are to look for ways to embrace God more … not run away from it as we used to do.

In our lives, we are to be separated unto God. We are to look for ways to obey God out of our love for the Savior, not like the world who seems to look for ways to disobey His Law. Our problem in this movement of the Holy Spirit, is not falling into the same trap as our fore-fathers … and making something a Law when it is only a way to obey the command.

2.) THE COMMAND TO CONTINUALLY OFFER A SACRIFICE:

Here is the command. Let us turn to Numbers 28:3-4 … “And you shall say to them: ‘This is the offering by fire which you shall offer to YHVH: two male lambs one year old without defect, as a continual burnt offering every day. You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.” It then goes on to how to prepare these sacrifices. This offering was to be continually before the Lord. Here is the question: Are these the sacrifices of prayers that are mentioned throughout the Word of God, or what many have “tagged” as prayer times?

There is a coincidence when one reads 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 … “pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).”

Both the morning and evening sacrifices, as well as the prayers are to be done continually … out of praise. Both are done with unblemished lambs! But are the prayers spoken about the fulfillment of the sacrifice?

The command was to the individual common Israelite (not to the priests … Numbers 28:2 … “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘See that you present to me at the appointed time the food for my offerings made by fire, as an aroma pleasing to me.’”) So, how did these common Israelites obey this command when only a priest can make the sacrifice? They participated by supplying the means to purchase / or supply the lamb that is offered.

Since it is command for the generations to come (see Exodus 29:38-42 … verse 42 reveals it to be for generations to come), therefore, that same command is for us today (We are the fellow heirs of those commands). The question remains, then, how are we to participate then? Is it through prayer at His appointed times?

3.) WHO IS THE LAMB BEING SACRIFICED?

We know that the unblemished lamb is our Messiah. Turn to John 14:6 … No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is not only for salvation, but even in our prayers and communication with the Father. We cannot go to the Father unless through that unblemished lamb!! So, when we offer up a prayer, it is through the Unblemished Lamb. The coincidence is the same. They participated by supplying the unblemished lamb to be sacrificed. WE participate by offering up the unblemished lamb before God, as well.

Are we to embrace all that they did in the past? It depends … is it good or evil? We know that they, like us today, fall short of the glory. We know that many missed the Messiah, as well as many are going to miss Him again. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 … to “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” This is what our heart’s desire is and the purpose for our questioning what is a command and, if it is, how do we live it out.

So what did those before us do? Just like the Sabbath and not selling or buying, we seem to be finding greats of the past honoring the command to sacrifice the Lamb by praying!

4.) IT IS GOD’S DESIRE FOR US TO CONTINUALL PRAY AND COME TO HIM

We are commanded to be continually praying and continually coming before the Lord in praise … from sun up to sun down. Giving thanks in ALL things! This is clear through Scripture:

- Psalm 50:1 … “The Mighty One, God, YHVH, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.”

- Psalm 113:3 … “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of YHVH is to be praised.”

- Malachi 1:11 … “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says YHVH Almighty.”

- Hebrews 13:15-16 … “Through Yeshua (Jesus), therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Offering incense in EVERY place? This should be the first clue to the reader. We know that the incense spoken about in the temple are the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8 … “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”) It is our prayers that are being offered to fill the bowls of incense. Just like the command to continually offer the lambs, we are to be continually filling the bowl of incense. Is this part of the command found in Numbers 28, though? It IS a command to keep the burnt offering burning before God (using an unblemished Lamb)!

I can hear the cries of the church … Aha, they say. A set time? No way! It is ALL day long we are to pray. It is all day long that we are to offer up our praise and thanksgiving. To that, may I offer, although correct, there has to be some point where the offer starts. Doesn’t someone have to start the sacrifice burning? At one point, the lamb had to be offered. The fire started, the lamb slain, the process started. Is there an appointed time to start? To say that it can be any time and all day long, without an appointed time, is the same reasoning that many still use to avoid the Sabbath appointment: “Everyday is the Sabbath to me. We are to worship God every day now.” To them, we now give (Hebrews 4:9-10 … “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, JUST AS GOD DID FROM HIS.”) We are to pray continually, but does there remain an appointed time? A time to start these morning and evening prayers?

5.) THEY PRAYED DURING THE SACRIFICE! SACRIFICE IS JUST THAT: WE SACRIFICE TIME AND SELF.

Again, let us turn to our fore-fathers and how did they live out this command:

- It was during the time of sacrifice that we find Elijah praying in 1 Kings 18:36a … “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed …”

- Luke 1:10 … “And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.” (A side note: We usually find God does His will on His appointed times. With that in mind … let us finish Luke 1:11 … For it was during the time for the burning of incense that the angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah … Just kinda cool.)

- Acts 22:16-17 … “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance (Remember those long sermons in church … usually about how we should give to the church … so we all know about these trances.) and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ He said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ (We have been there too. we heard it … it was usually during the trance … leave there … quickly … they will not accept your testimony about me.) Most likely, Paul was at the temple, most likely it was during the time of the offering.

- Acts 2:42 … “They devoted themselves to … prayers (lit. THE prayers).”

Many are too busy with life here on earth. Times of prayers could be just another “thing to do” on the list. Remember, as children of God, we desire to be with Him. Work and the running the rat race is NOT on our list anymore!! It is to praise God continually. And, for me, to have appointments to keep? This helps me live out my desire (for God knows how frail and forgetful I am)

Let us not forget that AFTER our Messiah was raised from the dead the followers of our Messiah were found in Luke 24:52-53 … “Then they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Yes … continually … as if that was their only purpose on earth!)

6.) NOW THAT WE SEE THAT PRAYER AND SACRIFICES GO HAND IN HAND … HOW ABOUT THERE BEING A MORNING APPOINTMENT TO PRAY?

During all these … keep in mind … God works during HIS appointments.

- Psalm 5:3 … “In the morning, O YHVH, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

- We all know about the giving of the Spirit during Pentecost. But at what time was it and what were they doing? They were together in one place and it was 9:00 in the morning. Most likely, it was in the temple. (Acts 2:1-4, 15)

- Mark 1:35 … “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Yeshua (Jesus) got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Was our Savior simply starting the sacrifices early for that day? Maybe He had a full day of prayers to do and needed to get the fired burning?)

- Of course, great things happen during God’s appointments … Mark 15:25 … “It was the third hour when they crucified Him.”

7.) WE HAVE SEEN GLIMPSES OF MORNING “SACRIFICES” (PRAYERS / PRAISE) … HOW ABOUT AN AFTERNOON APPOINTMENT?

- Psalm 141:2 … “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”

- Without forgetting that the Lord seems to work during His appointments … Let us read Acts 10:2-3 … “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision …” (Hmmm. At three in the afternoon again is when the vision came? Isn’t that the time that our Savior gave up His Spirit and prayed?)

- Acts 3:1 … “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.” (Doesn’t this throw up the red flag for you, as it did me? I thought: Am I missing something? There has to be a reason that three in the afternoon is mentioned! And what is up with being “during the time of prayer”?)

- Ezra 9:5-6a … “Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell to my knees with my hands spread out to YHVH my God and prayed …”

- Daniel 9:21 … “While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.”

- Again … we can’t forget that our Father works during His appointed times. Let us turn to Mark 15:34 and 37. No doubt we will find our Savior in prayer: “And at the ninth hour (that’s 3:00) Yeshua (Jesus) cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” …. “With a loud cry, Yeshua (Jesus) breathed His last.” (He prayed and WAS the sacrifice, as well)

8.) IF WE ARE INDEED COMMANDED TO PRAY … WHAT DO WE PRAY?

Pray continually? Pray at a certain time? To me, there is no difference between the times that we send our children out from our presence and command them, “check in with me at 9:00. check in with me at 3:00” than our Father commanding the same from His children while we are away. It is a privilege and honor to be able to come to the Lord in prayer. I am not going to argue this one. I have found much joy in these times. To actually stop and refocus in the middle of the day has been exciting and fulfilling? What can be better for a child who longs to be with his Father?

But on another note, what are we supposed to pray? Are there actually readings we are to follow? Are there actually words we are to say? We have to be careful about traditions and telling others what to do. Just because the Jews do it does not mean that I do … it DOES make me raise an eyebrow and take a second look, though … but I am very careful on what I embrace. Am I to do liturgical prayers just because my fore-fathers did? Is this evil? It is only evil if it is done as a routine and not from the heart. So what can we pray?

1.) There is nothing better than to pray back to God what He gave us … but on the other hand He says, “Sing to Him a new song” (Psalm 33:3a).
2.) It is good to carefully study what is from the Jews and what they are doing … but on the other hand, if they were to be praying liturgical prayers, why did Yeshua’s (Jesus) own disciples ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Mark 11:1) If they simply did not know that there were certain prayers to pray, He would have said, “You already know how and what to pray. Simply do as they have been doing all along.” Instead, He gave them a prayer example (if ANYTHING, this is the prayer that we are to be praying liturgically).
3.) If praying set prayers (liturgical reading) brings you closer to God for times of prayer …. great and may He bless you for your obedience. On the other hand … during those times that I do not know what to pray? I may use the liturgical readings, or I may simply let the Spirit groan for me! “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26).

Enjoy your intimate times of prayer with Abba.