The Power of Prayer VI

In the book of Revelation, chapters 5 and 8, the Scriptures describe golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. In some versions, it says that the incense is a sweet aroma to His nostrils. No where does it say the age of the prayers, only that they were brought carefully into the throne room by the angels. E.M. Bounds makes a very life-changing point. My body will age and die, but the prayers that leave my tongue, are a blessing to the Father for all eternity.

2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (Prayers are eternal)

How are you praying? Earlier I mentioned that we often have a genie perspective of God. Previously in my prayer walk, I would treat God like I had 3 good wishes. Do this, do that…I need this, I need that. Believe me, it is easy to do. We fail to build the relationship but demand the benefit of its power…like spoiled children at times. I do my Christian duties and then when I pray, I list out the things I need from God. Are you throwing a short prayer His way before you eat and maybe while in traffic…praying for the best parking spot? Or, are you actively pursuing a relationship with the Father through prayer? If you are a parent, perhaps even a dad and you are reading this right now. What would you rather hear from your child, whom you love:“Thanks for the food, your neat, let’s eat…”Or“Dad, I miss you. I really look forward to our time together. I long to be with you. I know you have everything worked out already, but I am worried about some things today. I need your help. I really blew it today. You told me what to do, but I still messed up. I will do better tomorrow. But I really need you to be with me as I am weak. All I really want to do is make you happy. I love you so much. I want to know you more each and every day. Help me and please forgive me.” Now you don’t have to pray those exact words, but you get the idea. What was different? The heart was different. The purpose, the intent and the respect is transparent. Prayer is no fitful, short-lived thing. It is no voice crying unheard and unheeded in the silence. It is a voice that goes into God’s ear, and it lives as long as God’s ear is open to holy pleas, as long as God’s heart is alive to holy things – which we know it is.

E.M. Bounds: “The life of the church is the highest life, and its office is to pray. When God's house on the earth is a house of prayer, then God's house in heaven is busy and powerful in its plans and movements. "For mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people" (Isaiah 56:7). Then, His earthly armies are clothed with the triumphs and spoils of victory, and His enemies are defeated on every hand.”

God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be and the mightier the forces against evil everywhere. Prayer, in one phase of its operation, is a disinfectant and a preventive. Prayer is God's settled and singular condition to move ahead His Son's kingdom. Therefore, the believer who is the most highly skilled in prayer will do the most for God. Men are to pray – to pray for the advance of God's cause. The one who can wield the power of prayer is the strong one, the holy one, in Christ's kingdom. He is one of God's heroes, saints, servants, and agents. "Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you" Matthew 7:7. The strongest one in Christ's kingdom is he who can knock the best, and the secret of success in Christ's kingdom is the ability to pray.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I with them." – Matthew 18:19-20