"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
"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." Revelation 8:3-4
Our prayers are kept. Every single one of them. Our prayers are an incense to God. According to Albert Barnes, the meaning of incense is acceptability and ascent. Just as burning incense produces a sweet, agreeable fragrance, genuine prayer is pleasing and acceptable to God. And just as smoke wafts upward toward the heavens, our prayers rise into the presence of God.
Not only our individual prayers, but our unified, corporate prayers. When church members come together in prayer, unified, they too, are poured out before God creating a sweet smelling savour.
When I read how my prayers are kept in beautiful vessels to pour out before my Lord, I had to ask myself:
-Are my prayers worth keeping?
In Matthew 6, Jesus gives His disciples a blueprint for prayer.
-Do I follow it?
Matthew 6:9-13 says:
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Words of Jesus.
This prayer is commonly called, 'The Lord's Prayer,' but it is actually 'the disciples prayer.' This example of prayer that Jesus gave His disciples contains elements of prayer that are important for all prayer.
1-Prayer is to begin with worship. Worship is the essence of all prayer.
2-Reverence is the second element of prayer, for God's name is to be Hallowed. Revered.
3-The desire for God's kingdom to come is based on the assurance that God will fulfill all His covenant promises to His people.
4-Prayer is to include the request that His will be accomplished today on earth as it is being accomplished in heaven.
5-Petition for personal needs such as daily food is also to be a part of prayer. 'Daily' means 'sufficient for today.'
6-Requests regarding spiritual needs, such as forgiveness are included too. This implies that the petitioner has already forgiven those who had offended him. Sins, as moral debts, reveal one's shortcomings before God.
7-Believers recognize their spiritual weakness as they pray for deliverance from temptation to evil.
(Walvoord & Zuck)
So, are my prayers worth keeping? Do I pray according to God's Will, or do I pray selfishly? Do I pray for others, or just for myself? Do my prayers praise my Saviour, or are they complaints and demands? Do I pray because I want to commune with my Lord, or do I only pray when I need something? Do I only pray in despair and desperation, or are my prayers full of praise, gratitude and thanksgiving? Are my prayers full of requests asking for more, or am I content with what I already have?
Our prayers are kept in vials of gold. They are poured out before God...
are they sweet smelling like they should be...?
Or do they stink...?
But that's just me!
"For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone." Psalm 86:10
"I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore."
Psalm 86:12
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