Prayer Matters

We often hear that prayer is essential, but just how valuable is it? Samuel Chadwick made this profound statement: “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” Wow! You know, I believe that statement is correct!

I’m wondering, is the body of Christ giving prayer its rightful place? Charles Spurgeon once said, “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” Throughout the Bible, we see examples of those who prayed and saw the power of God move on their behalf, and we also see many commands to pray. But have you ever wondered if God truly deems prayer as that important? I believe the Scripture below paints a pretty vivid picture of what God thinks about prayer.

Rev 5:6-8  Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7  He came 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 the saints.

Do you see that? Prayer is so vital that God keeps our prayers in bowls and uses them as incense in heaven. Think about that! What is incense? Incense is a substance that is burned to bring about a fragrant aroma. Your prayers are an eternal, beautiful aroma to God! Think about it – your prayers are so important that God keeps them stored – they are precious to him! This is an amazing thought – heaven is filled with the fragrance of your prayers! Wow!

Don’t ever underestimate your prayers! God is paying very close attention to what you are praying! What you are saying is very significant to him! Don’t take this precious day for granted! Your moments of bringing your heart, thoughts, love, and requests to God are extremely important! Oh yes! Each one is being recorded and fills heaven with a precious fragrance!

F.B. Meyer wrote,  “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”

My dear friend, this is your day to pray! Don’t let anything stop you from the most important thing you will ever do… Communication with God! Please keep these insightful reflections close to your heart because…

PRAYER MATTERS!