The Thyine tree (tetraclinis articulata) is a coniferous tree closely related to the arbor-vitae. It seldom exceeds a height of 30 feet. It is native to Morocco and is considered a national treasure. The wood of this tree has always been considered very valuable and was used for the construction of fine furniture by the early Greeks and Romans due to its beauty.

Thyine is derived from the Greek word thuein, meaning to sacrifice, and it was so called because it was burnt in sacrifices due to its wonderful fragrance. The Thyine tree is also known as the Sandarac tree and Sandarac Gum (show at the right) is the component used even today in the manufacture of incense.

In the scriptures incense is frequently mentioned along with prayer as a symbol of our prayers lifting up before God. No place better establishes this significance than the Altar of Incense described in Exodus 30:1-8. There are numerous other places in the scriptures that also meld together prayer and incense:

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. - Psalms 141:2

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. - Revelations 5:8

⁴The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. - Revelations 8:4

The scriptures tell us that we are not only called to pray, but to pray continuously.

¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In looking at the Altar of Incense we can also see this with Aaron - every morning and every evening Aaron was to place fresh incense upon the Altar so that a continuous stream of smoke would rise up before the Lord in Heaven. Our praying is to follow in the same fashion.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Colossians 4:2

When one is in constant contact with God through prayer, acknowledging Him as the ruler of the universe and the source of all good gifts (James 1:17), they will be equipped to face the constant challenges of daily life with peace and joy.

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

In His service,

¹"Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. ²It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high - its horns of one piece with it. ³Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it. ⁴Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding-two on opposite sides-to hold the poles used to carry it. ⁵Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. ⁶Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony - before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony-where I will meet with you.

⁷"Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. ⁸He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come. ⁹Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. ¹⁰Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD ."