Powerful Prayers
Scripture reading for December 10: Revelation 8
“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:1-5
Often people wonder if their prayers are heard or answered by God. Prayer is an act of faith coming from a belief that God is alive and actively concerned about each person and their needs. God has told His people that when they call on Him in the times of trouble they honor Him and He will deliver them. (Psalm 50:15) Jesus Christ spent time each day in prayer with His Father, often all night! Jesus urged His disciples to pray, asking the Father in His Name for their needs and promised answers. (John 16:23-24)
As John was in heaven observing Jesus Christ open the seventh seal on the Father’s scroll, he faced a period of silence lasting about half an hour. It was as if all heaven stood at attention as the Lamb revealed the contents of the scroll and the judgments coming soon. Seven angels with seven trumpets stood ready before the throne. Another angel stood at the golden altar with a golden censer. This angel was given incense to offer with the prayers of the saints. God received the prayers as the sweet smell of incense. In response, the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and hurled it on the earth. Fireworks resulted resembling a great thunderstorm with lightning and thunder and a great earthquake.
How does your view of prayer and its effects get shaped through this picture shown to John? Will you pray powerful prayers that move heaven to shake the earth on behalf of believers or the lost?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for hearing and answering prayers of Your people. Increase my faith to pray even more powerful prayers that shake the heavens and the earth as You send forth the answers. Shake up my children and grandchildren to fulfil Your calling. Shake up my lost friends and neighbors with heaven’s lightning and thunder. Amen!
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