Read: Revelation 8:1-5
He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. (v. 3 NIV)
When I’m struck by the thought of world-changing prayer, I come back again and again to these words in Revelation 8. Here’s how they begin: “When he [that is, the Lamb, the only one worthy] opened the seventh seal [the last one], there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (v. 1 NIV).
What? Silence? Haven’t we just heard the whole universe in deafening song to God and the Lamb? Suddenly all those innumerable voices are quieted. Now comes the action we’ve been expecting. The angel with the censer is to offer fragrant incense, along with the prayers of all believers, in worship to God. Pleasing incense rises before the Lord, along with power-filled prayers. Suddenly, dramatically, there is more action. The worship going on in heaven now affects life on earth. The effects of all this can be heard on earth (thunder and rumblings), seen on earth (lightning), and felt on earth (an earthquake).
What can all this mean? How are we to understand it? To me, it says something striking and wonderful about our prayers. They have a continuing existence long after we have offered them! They are treasured up in heaven’s golden bowls. They are mingled on the altar with the fire of God, then hurled on the earth. Imagine it—our prayers, touched with heaven’s fire, then transform the earth. They are mighty world changers. —Bill Brownson
As you pray, pray your own big, world changing prayer.
About the Author
Dr. William C. Brownson was the President Emeritus of Words of Hope. Dr. Brownson served Reformed churches in Lodi, New Jersey, and Chicago, Illinois. In 1964 he was appointed Professor of Preaching at Western Theological Seminary, a position he occupied for ten years before serving at Words of Hope. In addition to a widespread speaking ministry in churches, on university campuses and at conferences, Dr. Brownson wrote extensively for the Church Herald, other Christian periodicals, and authored many books. Dr. Brownson died April 1, 2022.
