Bouncy prayers!

Ever get the feeling that your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Read on!

May 28, 2020

Faith Alliance Church will re-open June 7. Please observe social distancing.

"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. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake." [Revelation 8:3 – 5 NIV]

This is “The interposing of which shows, that the prayers of the saints and the trumpets of the angels go together” [Wesley]. Thus begins what will be a series of natural disasters and turmoil for the earth. Notice it is the prayers of all God’s people that brings the following events to fruition.

A censer was a cup on a plate or saucer. This was the token and the business of the office of the priest in the Old Testament. Much incense was given - Incense generally signifies prayer. It is the only place in the New Testament where a censer is mentioned.

A “Triple article” is used “the” prayers, golden altar, throne. These three items are pointed out, made specific, and drawn attention to as parallel ideas of importance. The golden altar was in the holy place (outside the curtain) but was considered part of the “holy of holies” (most holy place) behind the curtain. It was the point where the two worlds met regularly. In other words, prayer is where we touch the spiritual world and where we meet with God (throne).

In this instance prayer, mixed with fire from the altar, is the instrument of introduction or the call for repentance. This event sets the stage for the angels to blow the seven trumpets. After the half hour of silence there is a dramatic effect in nature. Thunder, rumblings, lightning, and an earthquake. Other than its occurrence, we do not know the reason (or specific location). My suspicion is the earthquake is specific to Jerusalem. The reason is that earthquakes are always happening. This one seem to be remarkable. This might be a reference to the splitting of the Mount of Olives in Zechariah 14:4.

My point today: prayer produces change on earth. This image gives us a glimpse of what the prayer of God’s people can achieve. What your prayers can achieve. Have you felt your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Maybe you get this feeling because God is trying to remind you He is in the room, with you. There is no need for prayer to extend beyond the room, since God is there with you not off at distance. It’s important for us to be able to understand, God is in the room… with you.