#First21/Day 3 - Bowls of Prayers

Did you know that the prayers of God's people fill golden bowls in heaven?

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people." - Revelation 5:6-8

What an awesome image! When you and I pray, we are filling the prayer bowls of heaven!

When God's people pray earnestly, the bowls are filled as the incense before God. As these bowls fill, the prayers are mingled with incense creating a pleasing aroma to God. James tells us that the "effective, fervent prayer of the righteous" avails much (James 5:16). Effective, fervent prayer is always filled with faith. But to be effective, our prayers can’t be like bullets, popping off toward God like He's a target. No, our prayers must be spirit-led and intentional. "The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]" (Amplified).

In God's perfect timing, your prayers are mixed with the fire of God (His power) and cast back down to earth to change your situation... Even if you don't feel like anything is happening in the natural world, when you pray, you are filling the prayer bowls in the spirit realm. This is a picture of what happened in Daniel chapter 10 in yesterday’s devotional thought where God sent the angel in response to Daniel’s prayer. Keep lifting up those prayers. Fill the bowls! For the fervent prayers of the righteous serve as a sweet aroma before our God!