A Censor Filled With Prayers

I was reading the other morning in Revelation about the Lamb on the throne opening the seventh seal. There were seven angels before God with seven trumpets. Then “Another angel who had a golden censer came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of incense, together with the prayers of the saints when up before God. Then the angel took the censer filled with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake” (Rev. 8:3-5).

The Lamb on the throne has determined, in his sovereignty, that the prayers of the saints would not only be incense before him but effect events on earth. The prayers of his people are precious. They are gathered before him. But they also move him to act. I don’t think I am taking this out of context in the light of the rest of Scripture.

“Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name, ask and ye will receive, that your joy may be complete” (John 16:24, KJV). “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” (Eph. 6:18, NIV). For all the saints! We all need brothers and sisters to pray for us. [A multitude of Scriptures on prayer could be cited.]

I’m making these comments because someone prayed for me the day before. In fact, a number of people prayed for me. The day before I read this was a dark day for me. I was very discouraged. But I didn’t go to bed with despair reverberating around my heart. My spirit lifted and I was directed to the Scriptures and to the everlasting love of God. And I believe it was due to prayer.

Compared to the events described in Revelation, my feelings are inconsequential. Yet God cares.

But not only that, but as prayers rise for the release of a kidnapped Christians in Nigeria, for God to bless a Christmas concert in France, for God to bring health to a new missionary couple in a difficult field, for God to sustain Ukrainians in darkness, and for God to draw near to a shut-in in Ontario, they are added to the censer. Many of the prayers may be forgotten by us. But God gathers them up. We may not know until heaven how our prayers fit into the extension of God’s kingdom. Maybe part of our wonder in heaven will be God slowly showing us the mosaic of his unfolding plan.

So let us not lose heart but continue faithful in prayer. And for those who prayed for me the other day–or any day–I am grateful.