Daily devotion – Our connection to Heaven – by our prayers.
Revelation 5:8 – “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Revelation 8:3–4 – “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.”
As we make our way through the book of Revelation, the Lord has been highlighting to me once again that being a genuine believer in Jesus Christ means I must be a person of prayer—someone who not only prays, but who wholeheartedly believes in the vital, enduring importance of prayer.
From chapter 4 onward, John gives us an extraordinary glimpse into Heaven. Even as the judgments of God begin to unfold in full force, we see this powerful phrase appear: “the prayers of the saints.”
The Bible is telling us something profound here. Our prayers are not merely fleeting words whispered at mealtimes or in moments of need, vanishing into the air. No—Scripture teaches that our prayers have longevity, a tangible existence, and that they are actually stored in Heaven. They rise like incense before God. They matter.
Prayer is a wonder. A weapon. A God-designed means of communication with the one true and living God—made available to us through the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
In today’s world, we are increasingly confronted by intense and emotionally charged topics: abortion, euthanasia, same-sex relationships—the list goes on. The Bible gives us clear direction on each of these matters. But there’s another, often overlooked answer we can give when challenged about our beliefs—especially by those looking to attack or trap us.
What is our position on these issues?
The best position for a Christian on any matter is: on our knees in prayer before the Lord.
Consider Daniel—young, bold, and godly. Christ Himself affirmed Daniel as a prophet when He quoted him in Matthew 24:15, saying: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet…”
When Daniel faced certain death for continuing to pray—defying a government decree—what did he do?
Daniel 6:10 tells us: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”
What was the key to Daniel’s courage, conviction, and godliness?
He prayed. He gave thanks. And it was his custom since early days.
So, here’s the question:
How much connection and identification do we have in Heaven in the matter of prayer?
When our names are spoken in Heaven, are they attached to bowls full of incense? Are our voices among those rising like smoke before the throne?
May we be found faithfully on our knees—offering prayers that don’t vanish, but ascend and remain before our God.