Specific instructions were given for the proper compounding of the ingredients.
Moses was commanded: "There shall be a like weight; and thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: and thou shalt beat of it very small" (Exod. 30:34).

Each of these principles is important. Consider them one by one. "There shall be a like weight." All the elements, symbolised by the various ingredients, should find a place in prayer. Prayer should be a balanced approach unto the Lord. There is place for thanksgiving as well as confession; there is need for praise as well as petition. The Lord's prayer is such a prayer: balanced, systematic, specific. It speaks of praise, of our dependence and reliance upon the Father; of His help to us in time of need; of our hopes in regard to the future. There is in it "the art of the apothecary," a skilful blending of all necessary ingredients.
Let us become skilful in prayer. Skilfulness results from the thought that is given to prayer, and should not be measured by the expressions that stem from flesh-satisfaction and thoughtless oratory in which it is expressed; from the extent that we allow Scriptural principles to govern our desires, and not from merely fleshly emotion; from the placing of priorities in their proper order, and not from the expression of mere desire.
The ingredients were "tempered (mg. salted) together." Salt is both a preservative and a flavouring. It was an element of sacrifice (Lev. 2:13). Prayer is the sacrifice of the lips, and must not be insipid. It needs to be flavoured with the word; it should be linked with the preserving teaching of the covenants of promise. Paul taught: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6). If this should characterise speech one to another, how much more the speech we direct towards God (See also Matt. 5:13; 9:49; Col. 4:6).

The incense had to be "pure and holy" (Exod. 30:35). Prayer likewise should be charged with such principles, accompanied by an effort to that end. The Scriptures teach that otherwise it is unacceptable to God. "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall" be an abomination" (Prov. 28:9). "Therefore, pray not thou (Jeremiah) for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; neither make intercession to Me; for I will not hear thee" (Jer. 7:16).

"Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto Me for their trouble" (Jer. 11:14). "There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (1 John 5'16) "Unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare My statutes or that thou shouldest take My covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth My words behind thee?' (Ps. 50:16-17).
These Scriptures teach that prayer must be sincere. Even in our failings we can be sincere, recognising them for what they are, and seeking the divine forgiveness and help in time of need.
Concerning the Incense, Moses was commanded, "Thou shalt beat of it very small." How instructive in the matter of Prayer Christ commanded: "Let thy words be few." And in a moment of great need, when David poured out his heart in broken sentences before his God, following the rebuke of Nathan concerning his sin with Bathsheba, David declared: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart 0 God, Thou wilt not despise" (Ps. 51:17). The word contrite is a significant one in this context. The Hebrew signifies to beat or bruise, as in beating out metal. The process reduces thick masses of metal into thin plates easily bent to any desired shape Thus the reference is to a heart, so reduced by affliction that it is pliable to the moulding hands of the Lord. Let us manifest humility before our God, and we will beat out the incense of our prayers until it is "very small."

Finally, the incense had to be offered upon the golden altar, "before the testimony . . . where I will meet with you" (Exod. 30:36). The incense of Prayer takes us into the Most Holy, into the presence of God Himself. This great privilege is offered us in Christ, and Paul urges us to take full advantage of it. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God-let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:19-21). Again: "Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

What a tremendous privilege it is that we have freedom of access through Christ unto the King of heaven. Let us appreciate, treasure, and use this privilege.