In chapter 30 of Exodus, the Lord gave Moses instructions for the construction and use of the altar of incense. Verses 7-8 read: "Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense, before the Lord throughout your generations." I have come to understand that every command from God to the Jews has purpose, and the incense is no exception.
Revelation 8 tells that at the opening of the seventh seal an "angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might give it to the prayers of all the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand." The Lord regards the prayers of His children, the saints, as sweet incense.
As we live in these days that have been given to us, we know that we can cast all our anxiety upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16). Our cries to the Almighty God are not annoyances, forgotten pleas, or ritualistic exercises. They are an incense that reaches Him, burning ever before Him.