OUR PRAYERS AS INCENSE
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints (Revelation 5:8)
In the Old Testament, the Lord gave instructions to the priests to burn incense morning and evening in the Tabernacle. They were also to offer sacrifices in the morning and in the evening. Yet, the Bible says all that was a shadow of things to come (Hebrews 10:1). God wanted something better and spiritual.
Many years later, the Apostle John, by the Spirit, sees into the heavens and is shown this amazing truth:“…golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints” (Revelation 5:8). Blessed be God! When we pray in the earth, it comes before the Lord as incense. King David had a revelation of this; the Lord had guided him to understand that our prayers are actually set before God as incense. So he said in Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
The kind of prayer referred to is one of worship and intercession. In worship, we offer sacrifices of praise to the Lord with the fruit of our lips—words of praise and thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15). Our intercessory prayers go up to God, thwarting the plans of the enemy and changing things in the heavenly realm. This is such a heavenly ministry!
Think about it: As we pray, we send incense; fragrance of a sweet smell—a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God—resulting in positive changes in the earth! That’s why you should always pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, _*“Pray without ceasing.”*_ 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, _*“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority….”As saints of God, we have a ministry of prayer. It’s our responsibility to pray for sinners that they may receive salvation. Each one of us has a primary ministry of worship, which is ministering to the Lord. These prayers of intercession and worship are the incense before the Father.
PRAYER
Dear Father, through Christ, I offer up to you sacrifices of praise—prayers of worship and intercession—the fruit of my lips that thankfully acknowledge, confess and glorify your Name. You’re the Holy and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. You’re worthy of all praise and adoration, forever and ever.
FURTHER STUDY:
Revelation 5:8 CEV, Revelation 8:4,Hebrews 13:15.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 15:36-16:1-15 & Esther 8-10
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:12-19 & Deuteronomy 30
