SWHW Bible Reading Plan: December 2021Sample

Top Takeaway From Audra Haney:

To be honest, I’ve had seasons in my life where I felt like my prayers were in vain. Maybe God didn’t answer in the timing or fashion I had hoped, and I was discouraged from persevering. Sometimes I’ve felt too small or my words too feeble to make a difference in the cosmic spiritual battles surrounding me. Often, I’m distracted. Most times, praying feels like hard work. 

But, I’m awestruck to see this scene unfold in Revelation 8. In Almighty God’s throne room, a place of awe, deep reverence, righteousness, and judgment- OUR PRAYERS enter the scene. 

“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

Can you imagine? Every prayer for that lost friend. Every prayer for your city. Every prayer for your child to know Christ. Every praying moment of surrender to God’s will and not your own. Every trusting moan, cry, and petition- even in the hardest seasons- are presented before our Holy Father. And not only our prayers, but the prayers of every saint for centuries. 

In this scene, there is not “some” incense- but there is “much” incense.  We see that these prayers are sacrificial and PLEASING to God. They rise before Him. 

Lock this reminder in your heart today, friend. The enemy will do everything to keep you from praying. If he cannot discourage you, he will distract you. If he cannot distract you, perhaps he will distort the reason for prayer, turning our eyes to our kingdom instead of God’s Kingdom.

But please remember, friend, that your prayers are rising before the throne of our Almighty God. At the end of the age, our sacrificial and selfless prayers will shake the earth. Those prayers are often unseen on this earth, but they are precious in the throne room. 

Father, what a mystery that our simple prayers are a sacrifice that You find so pleasing. Continuously call me back to this most important work time and time again. May I never forget the spiritual battle around me, and may I always keep my prayers rising before you. Amen.