Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake. [Revelation 8.3-5]
A year ago, I made a post that poses some insight into this passage. I went back and read that post and feel I may have just a little more to contribute to it today.
In the last year, I have continued on a journey of prayer and Bible reading that has only solidified my faith and relationship with God. I have seen what I believe are evidences of my prayer in the lives of those for whom I have been praying. By the estimation of most, these evidences are probably small - maybe even obscure - however, they are real to me.
My prayer focus over the last year had been to be in line as much as possible with Jesus' Model Prayer in Matthew 6. I believe the Model Prayer gives us a platform to pray for people and include ourselves in so doing.
As I have continued to focus on this kind of prayer, I have seen things happen. Things have happened in the lives of people I pray for that, because I have prayed for them, I feel attached to what took place.
Now, this is where we must all understand what spirit we are of in order to understand how to pray for people. We have to get this right! Jesus was very clear in giving us the very words to pray for people: "May Your Kingdom come [in our lives!]. May Your will be done [in our lives!] on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."
So what does it mean to pray this way? It means we must begin to understand God's Kingdom! (Hint: Jesus' life and parables offer great insight into this) It means we need to understand heaven! (Hint: the Bible is full of indicators of what heaven is like)
As we look at today's Bible reading about the role of our prayers in end times, does it not highlight the importance of our prayers?
I think it is important also to understand that our prayers are stored up in heaven. They are stored there for God's use. How He uses them is His business as long as we have offered them according to His required method. Here in today's reading, we see that the prayers of God's people are influential in thunder crashing, lightning flashing, and a great earthquake.
When this occurs, my prayers will be part of that! I know this because I am seeing my prayers accomplish things here on earth in the meantime!
Father, I want to pray and pray more effectively! I am grateful for the 'evidences' You have shown me that are the results of my prayers. Thank You for encouraging me to continue to pray. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit Who makes my prayers effective!
A year ago, I made a post that poses some insight into this passage. I went back and read that post and feel I may have just a little more to contribute to it today.
In the last year, I have continued on a journey of prayer and Bible reading that has only solidified my faith and relationship with God. I have seen what I believe are evidences of my prayer in the lives of those for whom I have been praying. By the estimation of most, these evidences are probably small - maybe even obscure - however, they are real to me.
My prayer focus over the last year had been to be in line as much as possible with Jesus' Model Prayer in Matthew 6. I believe the Model Prayer gives us a platform to pray for people and include ourselves in so doing.
As I have continued to focus on this kind of prayer, I have seen things happen. Things have happened in the lives of people I pray for that, because I have prayed for them, I feel attached to what took place.
Now, this is where we must all understand what spirit we are of in order to understand how to pray for people. We have to get this right! Jesus was very clear in giving us the very words to pray for people: "May Your Kingdom come [in our lives!]. May Your will be done [in our lives!] on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."
So what does it mean to pray this way? It means we must begin to understand God's Kingdom! (Hint: Jesus' life and parables offer great insight into this) It means we need to understand heaven! (Hint: the Bible is full of indicators of what heaven is like)
As we look at today's Bible reading about the role of our prayers in end times, does it not highlight the importance of our prayers?
I think it is important also to understand that our prayers are stored up in heaven. They are stored there for God's use. How He uses them is His business as long as we have offered them according to His required method. Here in today's reading, we see that the prayers of God's people are influential in thunder crashing, lightning flashing, and a great earthquake.
When this occurs, my prayers will be part of that! I know this because I am seeing my prayers accomplish things here on earth in the meantime!
Father, I want to pray and pray more effectively! I am grateful for the 'evidences' You have shown me that are the results of my prayers. Thank You for encouraging me to continue to pray. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit Who makes my prayers effective!
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