Arising - Karen Pourbabaee
“Let my prayer be incense before You; my uplifted hands an evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2 NAS
John shares with us a beautiful scene in Revelation 5:8: twenty-four elders worshipping before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. It is depicted again in Revelation 8:3-4. The heavenly vision revealed by John relays the significance of our prayers. God sacredly treasures them. Not only heard but kept in golden bowls, watched over by angels and elders, close to the throne of God, where they rise continually before Him.
John’s revelation assures us of the destination of our prayers. They do not remain on earth but arise until they arrive at the altar of God. Not one is lost or forgotten. Not one is ineffectual or pointless. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”(James 5:16) Every sigh, every pleading, every intercession, every tear, every word of thanksgiving and praise is captured and stored. Indeed, “Blessed is God who has not turned away my prayer…” (Psalm 66:.20)
There is much that can be said and learned about prayer, but with this heavenly image, our hearts can be assured. We know we are heard. We know we are loved. We know He attends to the words of our hearts. In our offering them to Him, we give up control and watch to see what God will do. In His perfect timing, according to His will, the Father will voice His final Amen, “so be it.”
My prayers are arising as incense before You, O Lord. My uplifted hands surrender the things of my life at Your altar as an evening sacrifice. Amen.
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