Lord of glory,
You give Bezalel skill to craft the ark of the covenant
acacia wood overlaid with pure gold,
rings on its sides for carrying,
poles of gold to bear it.
He fashions the mercy seat of pure gold,
with two cherubim at its ends,
facing each other,
wings spread upward,
shadowing the place where You promise to meet.
He makes the table of acacia wood overlaid with gold,
with rings and poles for carrying,
and all the utensils of pure gold.
This table will hold the bread of the Presence
a continual reminder
that You provide and fellowship with Your people.
He crafts the lampstand of pure hammered gold
a central shaft with six branches,
each adorned with cups shaped like almond blossoms,
knobs, and petals
all of one piece.
Its seven lamps will give light
in the holy place before You.
He builds the altar of incense,
overlaid with pure gold,
with horns, rings, and poles,
and prepares the sacred anointing oil
and the pure, fragrant incense,
the work of a perfumer.
Lord, let me remember
that the center of worship is not my work,
but Your presence resting on the mercy seat.
Let my service be overlaid with holiness,
not for show,
but because You are worthy of my best.
Make my prayers rise like incense before You,
my life shine with the light of Your truth,
and my heart be a table where You are always welcome.
Thank You for the greater mercy seat
the cross
where justice and mercy meet,
and where I can draw near without fear.
In the name of Jesus,
our true Ark,
our Bread of Life,
our Light,
and our Intercessor,
Amen.