“…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 5:8)
In the Book of Revelation, the Bible describes golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. In other words, the prayers of God’s people collectively fill heavenly bowls with sweet aroma, here we discover what these bowls are used for:
“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)
The prayers of God’s people fill golden bowls in heaven. As these bowls fill, the prayers are mingled with incense creating a pleasing aroma to God. Then as the bowls brim over, an angel takes the censor dipped in incense and prayers, and showers the fire of God to the earth.
God said, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
The “fire from the altar” is the power of God, mixed with His grace, released from heaven to change the earth. As our prayers are ‘lifted up’ to God, the golden bowls are filled until they reach a point when the bowls tip and pour out God’s power and grace to provision the earth.
When God’s people pray earnestly, the “effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much” (James 5:16). We are not talking about begging God. BEGGING GOD IS NOT THE SAME AS BELIEVING GOD. Effective, fervent prayer is always filled with faith. But to be effective, 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]” (James 5:16 AMP).
The truth is, we’re guilty of not lingering in prayer long enough. It’s not about works (trying to make something happen), it’s about diligence. The word “earnest” describes something serious in intention, purpose, or effort. It can also mean sincerely zealous, meaning it is active, devoted, and diligent, while at the same time being free of hypocrisy or deceit. This kind of prayer is genuine and real. It’s not about how many words are prayed or the manner we pray…
OUR PRAYERS MUST BE HEARTFELT, FAITH-FILLED, AND AUTHENTIC
Let’s fill those bowls with incense…Bill Stockham