Prayer: The Difference-Maker

Does prayer really make a difference at all? What's the use, especially if some just go unanswered? Well, let the book of Revelation and Philip Yancey reveal the reality and importance of prayer:

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, 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 8:1-5

Does prayer have any real impact on our world? Or is it merely a private conversation with God?
When a New Jersey couple learned that a man had been released from prison and had moved into their area, they started praying for him. Then they paid him a visit and opened their home to a weekly breakfast for ex-offenders like him. Now, 22 years later, the area’s most despised men have one place to go where they are welcomed and treated respectfully.
What would happen if we followed literally Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? What if we became known for approaching heaven on behalf of outcasts and disagreeable people?
In a scene recorded in the book of Revelation, the apostle John foresees a direct linkage between the visible and invisible worlds. At a climactic moment in history, heaven is quiet. Seven angels stand with seven trumpets, waiting. Silence reigns, as if all heaven is listening on tiptoe. Then an angel collects the prayers of God’s people on earth—all the accumulated prayers of praise, lament, abandonment, despair, petition—mixes them with incense, and presents them before the throne of God (8:1-4). The silence finally breaks when the fragrant prayers are hurled down to earth: setting off a storm of “thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (v.5).
The message is clear. The prayers are essential agents in the final victory over evil, suffering, and death. — Philip Yancey

Jesus' Mission (Should you choose to accept it)

As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
They replied, "The Lord needs it."

-Luke 19:29-34

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."
"Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.
He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."
They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

-Luke 22:7-13

I find both of these situations fascinating and amazing. Jesus has a plan in mind for what He wants to accomplish. So, He sends His disciples to carry out His instructions. Now, keep in mind: Jesus has not called an "event organizer" beforehand to prepare the details of these events. The owners of the colt don't know ahead of time that the disciples are coming to get it. Who are the man carrying the water jar and house owner? Those details are unknown and not needed. But, Jesus uses those nameless people and the resources they can provide to carry out His plans.

I mean, if some people came from up the street and took your bike from the side of your house, some explanation and hootin' & hollerin' may be necessary. But, these owners of the colt, upon hearing that the Lord needs it, gave their colt without further explanation! Moreover, Peter and John must have thought, "There are many people carrying water jars at this time. How will we know which one to talk to? Also, what random owner will allow us strangers to use his house for our meal?" Yet, as they entered the city, it all unfolded just as Jesus told them, furnished room and all, with the full cooperation of the man with the water jar and house owner. Wow...

God's will be done. God's plans be accomplished. Fully trusting in Jesus opens avenues that we think are impossible to go through, but He makes it happen. It may feel like you may be asked to do things that are way out of the ordinary and, dare I say, foolhardy. But, with God, NOTHING is impossible. In Him, we put our trust and hope. AMEN!

While On Earth, God's Work Be Done

"The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance." —Psalm 112:6

The purpose of our lives while here on earth, as beautifully depicted by David H. Roper:

One reason we’re left here on earth and not taken to heaven immediately after trusting in Christ for salvation is that God has work for us to do. “Man is immortal,” Augustine said, “until his work is done.”
The time of our death is not determined by anyone or anything here on earth. That decision is made in the councils of heaven. When we have done all that God has in mind for us to do, then and only then will He take us home—and not one second before. As Paul put it, “David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36).
In the meantime, until God takes us home, there’s plenty to do. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day,” Jesus said. “Night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Night is coming when we will once for all close our eyes on this world, or our Lord will return to take us to be with Him. Each day brings that time a little closer.
As long as we have the light of day, we must work—not to conquer, acquire, accumulate, and retire, but to make visible the invisible Christ by touching people with His love. We can then be confident that our “labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

When people are swept away from us suddenly or slowly, the predominant question is always, "Why?" God has appointed a time for all of us. When our work here is complete, in God's eyes, He wants us to come back Home and rest. The Acts and John verses above really resonate that notion. God knows, so we should trust fully.