Revelation 8:3
“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.”
One of the areas in the Christian life where many get discourage is in the area of their prayer life. We live in times when we want immediate results, but the prayer life is not a click-and-get computer program. The prayer life will certainly exercise one’s faith in God and stretch that faith so that if you will continue trusting Him it will allow you to be a stronger Christian.
The verse above shows us that during the tribulation period, after the saints have been raptured to Heaven, every prayer that was offered will eventually be answered. God says that the prayers of the saints were as “incense” before the throne of God. In this verse there are several things that I believe will help you to learn concerning what happens with your prayers.
First, your prayers are heard. You may think that God is not listening, but the verse above assures us that all the prayers were before the throne of God. Just because you don’t get an answer doesn’t mean that God didn’t hear your prayer. You must not let the silence from Heaven’s portal communicate to you that your prayer is not being heard. You must rest in the promises of God’s Word that He hears your prayers.
Second, God gives no timetable to answer your prayers. We are so used to the immediate that we expect God to answer a prayer within a short period of time. As seen from the verse above, your prayers may not be answered while you are still living. Does that mean that your prayers are worthless and that you should stop praying? Absolutely not! You must realize that God will answer your prayer in His timing.
Third, God stores your prayers. It is interesting to me that God opened up the “prayers of all saints.” Notice that “prayers” is plural. That means that every prayer you have prayed is being stored. In other words, every time you pray your prayer is making an impact at some point when God answers your prayers.
Fourth, God will answer your prayer in His timing. Don’t demand of God to answer your prayer when you think it’s best, but trust God that He will answer your prayer when He knows it is best. This will keep you from discouragement. You already know that God knows the best timing, so trust Him with your prayers that He will answer them at the right time.
Fifth, God’s answer may not be in the manner you thought it should be answered. Notice that the prayers were eventually answered as a judgment to those in the tribulation period. Christian, don’t put God in a box to answer your prayer the way you think it should be answered. Accept God’s manner of answered prayer believing that it will always be the best.
Are you at the point where you are about to give up on your prayers? Let this verse be an encouragement that God hears you and will answer your prayer in His timing. You may or may not see the answer in your life, but when God answers your prayer it will be at the right time and in the right manner. Just keep praying!