Genesis 22:9 - Run To The Altar

Step 1: Pray. Select.

As I started my prayer time the word "descendant" came to mind. What does it mean to indeed be a descendant of Christ?

I came across Genesis 22, where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his only son, who was then stopped by an Angel who provided another way after the LORD saw Abraham was after God's heart more than anything.

As I read the strategic placement and preparation of the altar Abraham built, Genesis 22:9 stood out amongst the rest of the chapter.

This is where I began my journey today, friends!

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Genesis 22:9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• Came To The

• Altar

• In Order

• Laid

• On The Altar

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, came to the altar, in order, laid on the altar.

Step 4: Visualize

I close my eyes and meditate on the words of my sentence from the Holy Spirit. I open my eyes in my mind. From a first-person perspective, I find myself inside an enormous church sanctuary. The ceilings peak at approximately twenty feet high, and a long red carpet is laid before me, eventually leading to an altar. I say "eventually" to emphasize its length. I can barely see the end in sight; however, I am uncertain what I will find since the altar is not raised but rather lies on the ground.

I am slightly startled as the oversized doors I walk through at the back of the room shut behind me, causing an echo to reverberate throughout the vast, empty room.

There are only a few windows. Yet the few windows beam light from the outside, causing multiple spotlights to highlight the altar with natural sunlight. The windows are angled from the North, South, East, and West, pointing down to the exact spot where the altar lies.

As I begin to take a step on the carpet, two small candles illuminate by my feet, framing my pathway. I step again, and the same thing happens. With every step, the candles, in pairs of two, light my way. I begin to quicken my steps, and the candles keep up in perfect time with my steps.

I stop for a moment and think to myself, “What happens if I run?”

I feel childlike and then give in to my childish nature, gleefully running down the plush pathway as if racing to the altar where the light of North, South, East, and West meets. I begin to smile as I run and eventually laugh out loud as if racing the candlelight. I am not tired; I am excited and joyous.

As I finally get a closer view of the altar I could not see at the back of the room, I notice it is made of wood. I start to slow down as fear and concern start to creep in, just a little bit, not certain of what I will find once I reach the end of the walkway.

I stop for a moment and notice my breathing. The free, everlasting breath I felt while running now seems labored. I hear the Holy Spirit tell me, “You were not labored before, so what happened?”

I say, ashamed, “I am worried about what I will find.”

“Oh child, when will you learn. You have nothing to fear. Run! Get to the end and find what awaits you!”

I don’t feel labored anymore; instead, I feel like I could run up Everest with the amount of energy I have. I take off!

As I get to the end, I stop and take in this unusual altar lying on the floor. It is a wooden cross—just two simple, long pieces of wood I know may eventually need to be raised for crucifixion. I begin to weep. And as I weep at the thought of what will happen next with this altar, I see Jesus standing across from me, looking at it with me. He smiles, and where I am weeping from sadness, he is smiling with tears of joy.

The place in which I stand is before the cross, and the place in which he stands across from me is after the cross. Where I am, there is sadness; where he is, there is nothing but joy.

“Stop worrying,” he tells me. “I am here. You will be here one day with me. But for now, as we look upon this altar, know that anything you bring to me is already done. I am victorious. So please, don’t minimize what I have done, and take the gift of everlasting life and victory with you wherever you go. You were bought with a price, so shine for the world to see my power within you.”

I stop crying and thank him for his mercy in my weakness. I have never felt so much power standing next to a King. I will never forget this encounter. The Holy Spirit brings me back to my prayer time, as he still has some information.

I take a moment to think of my vision, and what question to ask to unlock more of his wisdom. I have it and move to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, how can I never let fear take away the power I found today in Christ Jesus?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

This is what he said to me:

“You must always dwell in knowing He is the only one who had the victory. There is no other. You must speak from His power and certainty. He is not sad. He is joy. He is the well of endless water and endless breath you breathe every morning when you wake up. Constant and certain. As your days begin, you are filled with energy, but as the sun sets and the world chips away at your spirit, you forget to breathe His numa breath, which can cure all things and reset your daily clock. It can revive you. Why do you only feel this way in the mornings? Refreshed and full of life. Do you not believe the source is there all day? Why are you not pulling from the well of endless water? When you rest through the night, why do you not rest through the day? I understand you operate in the physical, but start operating in the physical from a spiritual foundation. Your spirit is your rock. You have thought about the rock all wrong. It is moving and living with you and always under your feet. When you ran to this altar, you were not tired, and every step was lit along the way. Keep this feeling today close to your heart. Step in belief as you just did in the sanctuary. And when you are labored concentrate and memorize my words to you,” You have nothing to fear. Run! Get to the end and find what awaits you!”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Wow! Today, I will run a different race. I will run towards everything I am called to and trust Jesus is already victorious. I will not be weary and fill my heart and mind with the joy of Jesus after the cross.

Thank you for this beautiful vision today. I will cherish it and hold on to it tightly. In the mighty name of Jesus, I seal this prayer with a hedge of protection over the day - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Friends, I am in awe at the experiences and journeys the LORD will take us through every day if we let him. I know there is joy in every situation. Jesus was there to tell me today!

Run to him and know that you will not be weary, and he will give you everything you need to get to the altar, which he already died for to save all of us.

Run unlabored today on his light and joy! God bless, and see you soon.