Lord of the courtyard,
You guide the craftsmen to make the altar of burnt offering
acacia wood overlaid with bronze,
horns on its four corners,
a bronze grating inside,
and rings with poles for carrying.
They craft all its utensils
pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans
each tool consecrated for holy use.
They make the bronze basin from the mirrors
of the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting
mirrors once reflecting their own faces,
now given to reflect Your holiness in cleansing.
They fashion the courtyard hangings
of fine twisted linen,
with pillars set in bronze bases
and silver hooks and bands.
The entrance curtain is woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn
a threshold of beauty into the place where You dwell.
Finally, the accounting is made
the gold, silver, and bronze given by the people
freewill offerings from every tribe
measured and recorded,
showing that nothing was wasted,
and every gift was used for Your glory.
Lord, teach me to see every resource
from precious metals to ordinary mirrors
as something that can be laid at Your feet.
May my giving not be casual,
but intentional,
trusting that You will turn it into something holy.
Cleanse me daily in the basin of Your Word,
so that my service at the altar is pure.
Make my life a courtyard
where the world can see the beauty of Your dwelling,
and where the way in is clearly marked by grace.
In the name of Jesus,
the One who cleanses,
sanctifies,
and makes every offering acceptable,
Amen.