It is important for us to know that our prayers are used by God in very special way to break the powers of darkness. Let us consider this truth in regard to spiritual warfare by reading the apostle John’s words as recorded in Rev. 8:3-5. “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 prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake”.
I. Old Testament Patterns and Heavenly Realities
This is the prophetic picture of how our prayers are used of God to influence earthly events. This heavenly setting as seen above is understood by examining the floor plan of Moses’ Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple. Old Testament patterns of worship reflect spiritual realities in the heavenly realm.
a. Ark of the Covenant
You may recall that the Holy of Holies was the innermost chamber of the temple where the Ark of the covenant rested. We need to note three things about the Ark.
1. Gold Covered Box
The ark was a gold covered box or chest about 75 meters wide by 1.5 meters in length.
2. Two Gold Cherubim
Two solid gold cherubim were set on either end of the cover or lid that covered the gold box, as if bowing to each other.
3. The Mercy Seat
The area between the Cherubim was called the mercy seat (Throne), and was the place where God’s holy presence was enthroned.
4. Sprinkle Blood
It was between cherubim on the mercy throne that the high priest once a year sprinkled blood for the cleansing and covering of his own sins and that of the Israelites.
b. Altar of Incense
The altar of incense was in the room adjacent to the Holy of Holies. This room was called the Holy Place. These two rooms were separated by the inner veil. The altar of incense offered to God on it, form a special picture or type of the ministry of praise and prayer in the Holy Spirit. Just as the fragrance of the incense wafted its way from the altar of incense in the Holy Place into the Holy of Holies, so our prayers and praise make their way to the Mercy. Throne of Heaven.
c. Temple is Heaven
The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter 9 that Moses’ tabernacle was a pattern or a shadow of things a they really are in Heaven in other words, there is a Temple in Heaven. In it there is a heaven Ark and Mercy Seat Throne called “Throne of Grace” in Hebrews 4:16. This is where Jesus took His own blood after His death. He sprinkled it on the heavenly Mercy Throne that our sins might be paid for and covered over Hebrews 9:19-24. There is also a heavenly altar of incense where a real angel takes our prayers and offers them with heavenly frankincense before the throne of God.
II. God’s Power Release
What is the earthly result of all of this heavenly activity? When our prayers are mixed with God’s frankincense and cast back into the earth, a powerful display of lightning thunder and an earthquake result (Rev 8:3-5). “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). When we send our prayers by God’s Spirit to His throne, He sends them back in a way can be seen, heard and felt here on earth!
We release the power of God on earth when we give Him something to work with in Heaven. That is one of the reasons why we pray.
II. The Divine Cycle of Prayer
Praise and prayer sent up to Heaven produce results on earth. this same idea is found in Job 36: 27-28 “For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly”. This verse describes the rain cycle. Water vapor from the earth and ocean, lands and lakes rise to form the clouds then release their moisture as rain according to their vapor content. The more moisture in the cloud from the earth, the greater the rainfall of blessing that falls back in the earth. the same is true of praise and prayer. It goes up to the throne of God and sis mixed with heavenly frankincense. It is them hurled into earth as mighty manifestations of spiritual power in our homes churches cities and nations.
a. Spiritual “Bombs”
The more we pray the more material we give the angel at the golden altar to work with. This angel makes “spiritual bomb” that he throws back to earth. These “bombs” blow way the powers of darkness and release the prisoners from their bondages to sin and sickness. The more we pray the greater is the outpouring of his spiritual power on us and our churches. This is what happened when Paul was in prison. He sent praise and prayer up! The angel at the altar sent “spiritual bomb” down that shook the earth and set the prisoners free. “Acts. 16:25-26 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed”.
b. No Worship No Rain
The same truth is found again in “Zechariah 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain”. What is the prophet saying? He is saying no worship, no rain! The prophet Joel said, “Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”. The amount of worship and prayer which we send up determines the degree we receive this promised outpouring of God’s Spirit. If you want showers of blessing on your church, you must worship God in Spirit and in truth. The volume of rain we enjoy will be proportionate (related to the amount) of praise and prayer we send to Heaven to be distilled back down in us as showers of blessing.
· CONCLUSION
The Holy Spirit inspires continues prayer and worship. Praying in the Spirit enables us to complete the circle of Christ’s intercession on our behalf. His Spirit will always move us to pray in line with God’s will. Only through the prayers of God’s people can God’s perfect will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We play an important part in the divine cycle of prayer. It begins in Heaven, but is completed on earth. will you come like the disciple of Jesus? “Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples”.
Comments