The elements that make up acceptable prayer are demonstrated by the ingredients of which the incense was compounded. Incense was a blend of Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum and Frankincense (Exod. 30).
Each is significant when related to prayer.

Stacte is a kind of myrrh. It is obtained by inserting a deep gash in the branches of the tree, and collecting the liquid. This, surely, suggests the principle of sacrifice. First we are reminded of the sacrifice of Christ; and we learn that sacrifice on our part, is a basic element of worship. Paul declared: "That I may know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." No prayer will be acceptable to the Lord unless the one offering it is prepared to subordinate his will to that of the Father. "Not my will but Thine be done," is the attitude required.

And that means sacrifice of self-interest if necessary.
Consider the word Stacte itself. It is translated from the Hebrew nataph which signifies a liquid drop, suggestive of a tear!
How appropriate for prayer.
Frequently prayer finds its real comfort, its most tangible blessing, its greatest benefit when tears are in the eyes of the petitioner.

The Hebrew word is derived from a root translated drop, signifying to prophecy, or proclaim the will of the Lord God (Ezek. 29:45; 21:2; Amos 7:16). It is translated prophecy in Micah 2:6,11; Zechariah 13:3. Surely this suggests that prayer must be governed by the teaching of the Spirit, according to the will of God: "If we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us" (1 John 5:14).

As Stacte was prepared for the purpose of incense; so let our prayers express thoughts that conform to the will of God especially in regard to our petitions.

The next ingredient was Onycha. This was made from a white sea-shell found on the shores of the Red Sea. What would this suggest to Israel but deliverance! The minds of the Israelites would go back to the time when they stood upon the shores of the Red Sea and sung the song of deliverance unto the Lord. They saw evidence of His power and His goodness, and they were caused to rejoice before Him.

When Onycha was burnt, it gave forth a pleasant odour. What of those occasions in life when we experience the divine goodness in deliverance out of evil! Is it not as a pleasant odour to us? Do not our hearts rejoice before our God, and do not we then realise how great He is?

Let us call to mind these occasions when we turn to God in prayer, and let thanksgiving ascend unto Him for what He has done for us in the past.
And when we make our petitions to Him, let us do so with the realisation that He has helped previously, and will do so again.
Onycha speaks of the reality of God, our utter dependence upon Him, our own recognition of His ability to deliver.

The third ingredient was Galbanum. This is an acrid smelling preparation when burnt. It is said that its main use was to keep serpents away! What a significant element in regard to prayer. The word is a translation from the Hebrew chelbenah, from cheleb, fat. The fat was always burnt in sacrifice (Lev. 3:16-17), symbolising the worshipper's energy consumed in Divine service.

Prayer can become an outpouring of energy. It can become "the sacrifice of praise to God . . . the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15). To become such, we need to concentrate in prayer; to make a conscious effort to "really feel the prayers that we utter."

Consider the agony of effort, the concentration of mind, expressed in the words of Luke 22:44: "Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." By our own concentration of mind in prayer, we can add galbanum to the spices that make up the incense we offer God.

The final ingredient was Frankincense. This is obtained from a spice tree which yields a white gum at the slightest scratch. It therefore speaks of the constant use of prayer on all occasions; and the ready response of the Father to it.

For He is never indifferent to the prayer of faith. He may not answer exactly as we would like, nor at the time that we would desire; but the answer will come. Even though it be in refusal of our petitions.
The Hebrew word translated "frankincense" is lebonah. It signified "whiteness," the symbol of purity. Prayer should be such: pure, without false motives, or ostentation.