The basis of prayer is the Offering of Christ, for without the

'sacrifice of peace offerings' of verse 88, Moses would not have drawn near.

Since 'He is our peace' we have 'access' (Eph. 2:14 -18).

The association of prayer is the recognition of 'all saints'.  lt was

in 'the tabernacle of the congregation'.  The goal of prayer is the same as

the symbolic teaching of the cherubim, 'from between the two cherubim'.  This

of course must be learned from Scripture.  The cherubim at the gate of the

garden of Eden, on the mercy seat, leaving and returning with the glory of

the Lord as described by Ezekiel, and present during the book of the

Revelation where the Authorized Version calls them 'the four beasts', are

pledges of the restoration of man and his lost dominion.  'We see not yet all

things put under him (Adam, Psa. 8), but we see Jesus'.  These features being

present and recognized, the prayers of the Lord's people will be less likely

to wander and miss their mark.

'That He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross'.

'Through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father'.

'In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God

through the (in) Spirit'.

'For this cause ... I bow my knees unto the Father ... that Christ may

dwell in your hearts by faith'.

The idea in selecting these verses is that of personal realization of

what is already ours in Christ.  The passage before us suggests this in two

ways.  First, taking Ephesians 2:16 and 18.  What has been already

accomplished through the cross of Christ is the reconciliation of the church

in one Body to God.  What awaits the individual response is the access of

each reconciled member in one Spirit to the Father.  The corresponding terms,

'reconcile' and 'access', 'Body' and 'spirit', 'God' and 'Father' tell their

own story.  Secondly, the same truth is given point in Ephesians 2:22; 3:1,14

and 17.

The believers of this dispensation are being built together as the

dwelling place for God, therefore Paul prayed that the individual member of

that temple should himself attain unto some experimental acquaintance with

such a privilege and realize, by faith, the dwelling of Christ also in the

heart.  In both examples, the idea of being merely content with what is true

of the mass is seen to be insufficient for full robust Christian profession.

The above are a few passages that have been used before meetings.  Each

servant will of course use those Scriptures which fit the occasion.  The

above are but examples that may illustrate a possible course where a

steadying of those gathered seems necessary.

'Take with you words, and turn to the Lord' (Hos. 14:2).

The first item in the equipment necessary for the interpretation of

Scripture is surely the belief that it is absolutely true.  The second is

revealed in 2 Timothy 2:15, and is called 'rightly dividing the Word of