Category: prayer

What Really Matters

Lord, as I grow older, I want to be known as…

Thoughtful, rather than gifted,
Loving, versus quick or bright,
Gentle, over being powerful,
A listener, more than a great communicator,
Available, rather than a hard worker,
Sacrificial, instead of successful,
Reliable, not famous,
Content, more than driven,
Self-controlled, rather than exciting,
Generous, instead of rich,
Compassionate, more than competent,
I want to be a foot-washer.

  • From the book “Leadership Gold” by John Maxwell (Our staff has been going through this book together this year. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a great book on life and leadership.)

What Happens in Heaven When You Pray

Have you ever felt that when you pray your prayers don’t even go past the ceiling? I know I have.

Something that has encouraged me is a picture that I saw in Revelation chapter 8 about what happens in heaven when we pray.

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 3 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 prayer of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 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 8:1, 3-4

John sees this picture of heaven becoming silent for 30 minutes. What could make heaven be quiet for 30 whole minutes? Prayer can.

When you pray it touches heaven. What were these people going through? And for that matter, who were these saints? Revelation chapter 8 is clearly about the end times. Whose prayers are these? Some of these are our prayers.

Just know, God has given you access through your prayers to the throne room of heaven. Think about that! Yes, you! You touch heaven every time you pray.

You may think, “Well, I don’t always see the results of when I pray. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it is making any difference at all.

This passage of scripture really encourages me because it shows us prayer form God’s perspective.

God is collecting your prayers. He is listening to every word. And watch what the next verse says:

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 8:5

Wow! That’s the power of prayer. Your prayer is mixed with the fire from the altar of God and it is hurling down to the earth to make a difference.

The earth shakes when you pray

So whatever you are going through today, choose prayer over despair.

Have a great day!

-Brandon