Understanding Altars and the Different Types

Call to Prayer 

Title: Understanding Altars and the Different Types.

By: Dauda Victoria

Date: 19.03.2025

“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.’”

Genesis 8:20-21 (NIV)

As previously discussed, an altar is a sacred space where we interact with God, seeking a deeper relationship and covenant with Him. It is also important to understand the concept of altars and their types.

An altar is a place where sacrifices are offered to God. Therefore, the nature of the sacrifice being offered determines the type of altar. For us in the New Covenant, several types of altars exist.

1. The Altar of Prayer:

This is a place of interaction between heaven and earth. Unlike in the Old Covenant, the altar of prayer is not limited to a particular building or place but can be wherever we are. When we pray in a disciplined and consistent manner, especially at specific times of the day, an Altar of Prayer is formed. In Daniel 6, we see how Prophet Daniel maintained his altar of prayer three times a day:

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

How consistent we are determines the strength of our Altar

2. The Altar of Praise:

This is a space for worship and thanksgiving. In Genesis 12:1-7, we see Abraham building an altar to worship God after receiving His promises. David also exemplified this in his life:

“Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”

Psalm 119:164 (KJV)

When we stop intermittently to praise God, especially at specific times in the day, an Altar of Praise is formed.

3. The Altar of Giving:

A form of sacrifice that God requires from us in the New Covenant is giving. When done consistently, at a specific place and time, it becomes an altar of giving. Scripture emphasizes the importance of giving:

“No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed.”

Deuteronomy 16:16 (NIV)

Therefore, the physical house of God becomes an altar of giving, as He expects us not to come before Him empty-handed. So, whenever we are in the house of God, it is an opportunity for us to service this altar.

God desires a relationship with you and me, and altars provide a means for connection. If you are thinking, “I don’t have an altar,” it’s nothing to worry about. An Altar is not limited to a physical structure. Whatever we do in a consistent manner in our relationship with God becomes an Altar in it self.

However, we are often distracted by the circumstances of life, and instead of raising altars of prayer, praise , and giving inspired by our love and honour of God, we raise altars of complaints, murmuring, and ingratitude. Let your altars be filled with praise, thanksgiving, supplication, and gratitude to God.

Reflection Questions:

– What kind of altar are you serving?
– Are you raising altars of prayer, praise, and giving in appreciation to Him, or have you allowed altars of complaints, murmuring, and ingratitude to dominate your life?

Prayer Points:

1. Let’s thank God for His word.

2. Let’s ask God for grace to raise an altar of prayer and praise.

3. Let’s ask God for the grace to raise an altar of gratitude and supplication.