Would you like to see what happens to your prayers? Would you like to know how successful your petitions of intercession are? Do you ever wonder if what you ask of God is heard? acted upon? answered? If you do not have confirmation, do you tend to relax the fervor in your heart? relinquish the burden? reduce the persistence on another’s behalf? I have. I have done all of the above. Yet, still I pray. I pray because my Lord told me to pray. I pray because I’ve seen the fruit that comes from praying. I pray because I must.
I pray for little things. Big things. Impossible things. I pray for more of God’s love to fill me. I pray to be a light in the darkness….for wisdom to know what to say, and when to say it. I pray while I talk to people–that the Lord will interpret my words, that confusion of Satan be blocked and stifled. I pray for those folks on the news I do not know–the ones who lose a child, a home, a country. I pray for the saints who seek to share the Gospel around the world. In Uganda, England, India, and United Arab Emirates. I pray for student’s preparing for ministry, for professors who teach them. I pray for venues such as this which carry the Gospel to places we cannot possibly conceive…to China, India and Indonesia. I cannot begin to know what my prayers specifically accomplish. Should I worry? Not according to the Apostle John’s account of heaven:
“And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:8-10
“Golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints.” Our prayers are not futile.
Billy Graham, world-renown evangelist, said if he could change anything in his life, he’d pray more. He’d read God’s Word more. When we all bow before the King of Kings, the Lamb of God, and the scrolls of life are opened at His feet, we will witness bowls of incense filled with the prayers of saints who petitioned heaven in behalf of someone–another struggling weary saint–a sheep that’s went astray–a lost and wandering prodigal–an imprisoned Paul–a bold embrazened Peter–a kind and patient nursery worker who holds a tiny baby so a mother hears the gospel message. And the Lord will breathe in the fragrance of our offerings to Him. And praise will be our song.
PRAYER: Lord, we thank You that You are not made of stone, or wood, or gold and silver. You are the Living God. You hear our every word. When we are gathered together, You are in the midst of us. When we cannot find words sufficient to speak, Your Spirit speaks on our behalf. In You we have eternal rest. Thank You, Lord. Thank You.
First published: © Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011 in Devotional Christian
