Revelation 8:3
Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
The Apocalypse gives us a good glimpse of the reason why prayer is such a potent weapon. Beloved, believers’ prayers are more powerful than we can imagine.
Our prayers are extremely forceful due to the collaboration of heaven and earth. Our simple petitions take on supernatural proportions when they reach heaven’s altar. That’s why the enemy will do his utmost to downplay the value of this asset.
Our text reveals that an angel eagerly waits for the arrival of the saints’ prayers from earth. Then our prayers are mixed with heavenly incense and fire before they are thrown back to earth with devastating effects (Rev 8:5-6). That’s the power of prayer!
Remember that our Lord teaches us the wisdom of keeping our prayers concise and simple (Mat 6:5-8)? It’s because they are part of the final product. It’s what God does with them that matters.
However, angels must receive raw material to work with! We have to pray so that angels have the saints’ input to commingle with heavenly incense and fire. The ingredients of heaven are always ready. Our prayers are the missing ingredient.
Whatever we bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Mat 18:18). Will you give heaven material to work with today? Don’t keep the angel idle! Pray fervently and expect supernatural impact (James 5:16).
Pastor Josh