THE TRUTH ABOUT PRAYERS: AN ATTRACTIVE AROMA TO GOD

THE TRUTH ABOUT PRAYERS: AN ATTRACTIVE AROMA TO GOD
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 by TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

Categories: devotional

PLEASE WELCOME

TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY

Prayers are deathless. They outlive the lives of those who uttered them.[1]

In a time when so many are falling away from the Christian faith, believing in the need for a Savior, or even in God himself, all four of the my parents’ children are believers. Each of us has a strong, active, and confident faith.

I’ve often wondered who, in my family history, was praying. I can imagine a faithful, believing ancestor praying for the Lord to be a real and present part of his or her offspring’s lives for generations to come. I will be eternally grateful. My gratitude is not only to the ancestor who prayed but also to God who allowed those prayers to be poured out on my siblings and me.

Sometimes it can feel like our prayers hit a wall and don’t ever make it to heaven. We can pray for a wayward child, a troubled marriage, a cancer-ridden parent, or a drug-addicted friend for years at a time. Our prayers seem to come to nothing and no progress is evident.

A Lasting Aroma

Photo by Niclas Illg on Unsplash

When we feel disheartened, two passages from Revelation can offer hope.

…the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Rev. 5.8)

Imagine bowls holding all the prayers of all believers – the saints. Not one is lost. In Old Testament times God commanded the people to sacrifice a variety of offerings that resulted in a sweet aroma to Him (see for instance Ex. 29.25, Lev. 2.9, Num. 5.7). Here our prayers make up the sweet aroma that is pleasing to God.

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth. (Rev. 8.3-5a)

In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. He uses everything to bring good in the lives of believers (Rom. 8.28). Prayers that seem to ascend no further than the ceiling are not wasted. They may not be answered in the timing we would like, but they are remembered by God and poured back in His timing to bless His people.

It takes courage to continue praying when nothing seems to be happening. Yet we can take comfort in knowing that God hears and knows and uses those prayers for His purposes.

[1] EM Bounds, Purpose in Prayer, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2010, p2

ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIVING BIBLE STUDY SERIES

The Christian Living Bible Study Series is designed to assist readers in their relationship with God, help them understand difficult passages, shed new light on familiar verses, and gain an appreciation for statements made within the confines of ancient cultural practices. Through these books, readers not only learn about the life and work of Jesus Christ, but also personally experience the love, grace, mercy, and redemption offered by the Father through the sacrifice of His Son. Learning more about the history and purpose of each verse will enable readers to grow in wisdom and knowledge.

ABOUT TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

Trina has a Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary and is a passionate Bible teacher and writer. For over 20 years, she has shared Biblical truths in compelling and memorable ways as a Bible study leader and a member of the Restorative Prayer Team at her church. Her trip through Turkey visiting historic sites including Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Haran and Antioch, as well as two trips to Israel’s holy sites bring reality to Trina’s teaching and writing. Additionally, Trina is an avid birder, loves to cook, travel, work in her garden, and knit.

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