Of all the gifts the Wise Men brought to the infant Jesus, frankincense carries perhaps the deepest spiritual significance. This precious resin, harvested from the Boswellia tree, has been used in worship, prayer, and anointing for thousands of years. But what makes frankincense so sacred, and why does it appear so prominently throughout Scripture?
Frankincense in the Old Testament
Frankincense first appears in the book of Exodus as a key ingredient in the holy incense burned before the Lord. God gave Moses specific instructions: "Take fragrant spices — gum resin, onycha and galbanum — and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense" (Exodus 30:34-35). This sacred incense was reserved exclusively for worship in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
The rising smoke of frankincense symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven. In Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." The connection between frankincense and prayer remains central to its spiritual use today.
Frankincense was also part of the grain offerings presented to the Lord (Leviticus 2:1-2), where a priest would burn a portion as "a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord." Its inclusion in these offerings underscored its role as something set apart — holy, precious, and worthy of offering to God.
The Gift of the Magi
When the Wise Men traveled from the East to honor the newborn King, they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Each gift carried prophetic meaning. Gold recognized Jesus as King. Myrrh foreshadowed His suffering and death. And frankincense? It acknowledged His divinity — His role as our Great High Priest who intercedes for us before the Father.
This is the gift that declares: this child is God. Just as frankincense was burned in the Temple as an offering to the Almighty, presenting it to Jesus acknowledged that He Himself was worthy of the worship that frankincense represented.
Frankincense in Prayer and Anointing Today
The spiritual tradition of using frankincense in prayer continues in churches and homes around the world. When blended with pure olive oil, frankincense creates an anointing oil that connects us to this ancient biblical heritage.
Many believers use frankincense anointing oil during prayer as a tangible way to set apart their time with God. The rich, warm aroma helps create a sacred atmosphere that draws the heart toward worship and intercession.
At My Cup Runneth Over, our Frankincense & Myrrh Anointing Oil combines these two ancient biblical resins with pure olive oil, creating a blend that honors the full biblical tradition. Each bottle is handcrafted with prayer and rooted in the scriptural practice of anointing.
How to Use Frankincense Anointing Oil
Whether you are praying over a loved one, consecrating a new home, or simply seeking a deeper connection with God during your quiet time, frankincense anointing oil can be a meaningful part of your spiritual practice:
For personal prayer: Apply a small amount to your forehead or wrists as you begin your prayer time. Let the aroma remind you that your prayers rise before God like incense.
For healing prayer: Following James 5:14, anoint the sick with oil while praying for God's healing and restoration.
For worship: Use during personal or corporate worship as a physical expression of devotion and surrender to God.
Frankincense has carried the prayers of the faithful for millennia. When you use it today, you join a tradition that stretches from the Tabernacle of Moses to the manger in Bethlehem to the prayer closets of believers around the world.
Explore our full collection of sacred anointing oils, each handcrafted with prayer and rooted in Scripture.