Be still: God, I thank you that you rule and reign! Remind me of your sovereignty over my life and this world today. Amen
Read: Revelation 8
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. (v3–4)
Encounter: On Monday, we looked at the incredible picture of our prayers being held in golden bowls in heaven. But Revelation 8 takes it a step further. We see that our prayers haven’t just arrived in heaven to stay there and look pretty. They set things in motion.
T. F. Torrance, the 20th century Scottish theologian, describes it like this:
'More potent, more powerful than all the dark and mighty powers let loose in the world… is the power of prayer set ablaze by the fire of God and cast upon the earth.'
That is wild to think about. Prayer can so easily feel quite passive. Something we do when we don't know what else to do. But Revelation gives us a different picture: prayer is participation. God invites his people to play a part in what he is doing in the world. Our prayers become part of the movement of heaven towards earth.
So, this is my encouragement to us today: keep praying. You may not see what is happening behind the scenes, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. Prayer moves things. Prayer sets things in motion.
Apply: Today, God wants to remind you that your prayers are powerful and effective. (James 5:16) What are you praying for that you’ve started to assume isn’t changing or that your prayers aren’t making a difference to?
Devote: Lord, teach me to pray with confidence, knowing that my prayers change things in your kingdom. Help me to trust that you are moving, even when I cannot see it.