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STUDY in PRAYER

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:18

Another angel came with a gold censer and stood at the altar. He was given a large quantity of incense to offer on the golden altar before the throne, along with the prayers of all the saints.
Revelation 8:3

Ministry of Intercession

Intercession is a ministry for those that are of the Royal House of Faith. Intercession is the work, which saints of past time have engaged in through the ages. Ananias heard God when praying and was sent to minister to the apostle Paul. The aged Anna waited in prayer for over 70 years to see Israel’s consolation.

Men of Prayer

Jesus demonstrated man’s need to be in prayerful communion with the Father. Paul exhorted us to pray without ceasing and prayed himself with many tears. James warned of unstable praying and encouraged the righteous prayer of faith, while John records Christ’s sublime high-priestly prayer – in John chapter 17.

Unnamed Saints

120 waiting disciples joined in constant prayer as they awaited Pentecost; and Stephen reflected His Lord word, praying – “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” What more need I say of Aquila, Priscilla, Muller, or ‘praying Hyde’ or myriads of unnamed saints – who similarly are part of God’s royal priesthood.

Battle of the Ages

This battle of the ages has been raging for multiplied thousands of years, and in God’s wisdom, the church are partners, with access to His throne of grace. Should we not with veiled face contemplate this unfathomable, entrusted privilege?

Celestial Silence

In Revelation Chapter 8 we read: and when He had opened the seventh seal,  there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Rev.8:1 In a celestial silence the God of heaven and earth, sea and sky finalises His plan. The throne-room of God’s majesty in heaven is quieted in awe and wonderment;  and I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. Rev.8:2

Heralding Trumpeters

Envision the astonishing arena – as trumpets are handed to 7 heralding trumpeters. The final instrument, which enfolds the seven bowls of the judgment of God’s wrath, on a Christ-spurned, God-hating world that has rejected His free gift of grace.

Heavenly Scene

Picture the heavenly scene as God’s anointed High Priest stands before the golden alter.. and the deafening din of that heavenly hush – pierces time and penetrates eternity: 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. Rev.8:3

Sweet Savor

Here we see a tiny glimpse of the sombre honour, that the prayers of saints affords. In an indefinable way and by God’s design – His people’s prayers are to be offered.. and the smoke of the incense, which comes with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.  Rev.8:4  The smoke of the incense and prayers of the saints are a sweet savour to the Lord, so symbolic of the perfume of Christ – God’s own willing sacrifice of praise to Him.

High Priestly Intercession

Just contemplate the enormity of what is being outlined in these few short verses. Christians are afforded a portion in Christ’s ever-continuing High Priestly intercession. Believers are chosen to join in interceding with their High Priest – our Lord Jesus: 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. Rev.8:5

Godly Intercession

Whether or not we understand it, the prayer of the saints contribute to God’s purpose. Whether conscious of it or not, all godly intercession is targeted towards His will. Whether we grasp the enormity of it or not, God uses prayer – all prayer – our prayer.

All-Prayer

Now think about it… where do we read in scripture of All-Prayer? Well, Paul instructs the church that All-Prayer is a vital weapon in spiritual warfare: for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

Weapons of Warfare

In Paul’s famous Ephesians passage, he gives instruction on our weapons of warfare. Paul makes us aware that all aspects of our weaponry are encompassed in one Person. Every piece of spiritual armour is fixed and founded on Christ Jesus our Lord. Christ is the complete, entire, and only armour of God. He is our full weaponry.

Christ – All in All

He is our girdle of truth; our breastplate of righteousness. He is our gospel of peace. He is our helmet of salvation and He is our defence and defender in whom we trust. He is both protector and protection. He is the Saviour of our spirit, soul, and body. His Word is a sharp, penetrating, fiery sword that comes forth from His mouth.

The Praying Saint

But read on in Ephesians to discover a further weapon that is little discussed: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Pray always. Pray often. Pray with all Prayer. Persevere in Prayer. Pray in the Spirit Eph.6:18 This silence in heaven is connected with all the prayers of the saints of God. This heavenly hush is linked with the persistent prayer of the praying saint.

The Heavenly Censer

All prayer that is offered to God is taken and used to fulfil His perfect plan. The sacrifice of prayer and praise we offer to Him, fills up the heavenly censer. Our prayers are to fill the heavenly censer, on the golden altar – in front of the throne.. and the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.  Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelation 8:4-5

Heavenly Hush

Let us seek to comprehend a little of the incredible significance of “All-Prayer”  Let us, on bended knee and in humble obedience, take up our weapon of “All-Prayer”  Let us in humbly pour out “All-Prayer” into God’s brimming bowl of blessing.  Let us in wonderment thankfully praise God for our role in that heavenly hush.

Kingdom of Priests

Intercession is a ministry for those that are of the Royal House of Faith. Intercession is a privilege for those that are a kingdom of priests unto the Lord. Intercession is an office in which saints of old have poured their pleading prayers. In His grace and wisdom, God anointed us as participating partners in His purpose. He has endowed us with a heavenly ministry, where angelic being hush their praise.

Entrusted Privilege

Should we not with veiled faces contemplate this unfathomable, entrusted privilege? Should we not daily and dutifully plead “Lord – Teach us how to PRAY…aright”?  Should we not participate in that heavenly army of praying priests?

PRAYING

Praying
Praying Always
Praying Always With All Prayer
Praying Always With All Prayer And Supplication
Praying Always With ALL PRAYER And Supplication In The Spirit.