The Divine Nature and Efficacy of Prayer

I. Prayer: The Heavenly Incense and Superior Sacrifice
The scroll opens with King David's profound prayer from Psalm 141:2 (KJV):
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
This verse, the very bedrock of the revelation, highlights that David was not merely making a request but operating from a revelation – an understanding that his prayers were received by God as incense. This foreshadowed the New Covenant reality.
A. Old Covenant Shadows:
The Old Testament prescribed morning and evening rituals for the priests:
1. Burning of Incense: This was done twice daily in the tabernacle, a symbolic ascent to God's presence.
2. Animal Sacrifices: Bulls were killed morning and evening, day after day, year after year.
However, the Word unequivocally states that "all of that was a shadow" (Hebrews 10:1).
• Hebrews 10:4 (KJV): > For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
• Hebrews 10:5 (KJV): > Sacrifices and offerings thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.
These physical acts, while commanded by God, were merely types, pointing to a "real thing," something better that God truly desired: the ultimate, single sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
B. New Covenant Reality - Prayers as Golden Vials of Odours:
The Apostle John, granted a vision into the heavens, saw the actual fulfillment of David's prophetic prayer. In Revelation 5:8 (KJV):
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
And again, in Revelation 8:3-4 (KJV):
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.
These scriptures explicitly reveal that:
• The prayers of saints (meaning Christians, God's people) are the "odours" filling the golden vials in heaven.
• They are the "incense" that ascends before God from the angel's hand.
• This signifies that when we pray on earth, "something actually happens" in heaven; our prayers are not lost but come before the Lord as actual incense, producing a divine effect.
This heavenly perspective underscores the profound necessity of prayer in our lives.
II. God's Call to His People: The Power of Intercession for Nations
The scroll transitions to God's covenant with Solomon after the dedication of the temple, found in 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 (KJV).
A. The Purpose of the Temple and Offerings:
• 2 Chronicles 7:12 (KJV): > And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
• The original purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple was for sacrifices, not primarily as a place of gathering. This instructs us that when we come to the house of God (or any place of prayer), we should come with the intent to offer sacrifices – sacrifices of praise, worship, thanksgiving, and our offerings, for they are all important.
B. The Condition for Divine Intervention:
• 2 Chronicles 7:13 (KJV) highlights potential calamities:
• No rain (shut up heaven) – drought, natural disaster.
• Locusts devouring the land – economic problems.
• Pestilence among the people – disease, violence, death.
• In response to such afflictions, God gives a clear instruction to "my people which are called by my name":
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV): > If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
• "Wicked ways" here refers not just to extreme evil, but to "displeasing, hurtful, unpleasant ways" that are contrary to God's will.
• This promise is addressed to believers: "God never looks to the sinner to pray." We, the Church, are the custodians in every nation, "in charge as far as the Lord is concerned." We are responsible to take responsibility in the spirit realm and pray.
III. Spiritual Warfare: Understanding the Enemy's Influence and Our Authority
The scroll then illuminates the subtle and overt influences of evil spiritual beings and the Church's role in confronting them.
A. Angelic and Demonic Powers are Real:
• There are things "caused by spiritual beings" – both good angels from God and evil angels (demons) from Satan.
• Human decisions are often "motivated" by these spiritual entities, even when people are unaware.
B. Ignorance of Scripture and Satan's Deception:
• David's numbering of Israel: Satan "moved David to number Israel," a decision that displeased the Lord and led to 70,000 being slain (2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1). David was ignorant that this thought was from Satan.
• Peter rebuking Jesus: Peter, believing he was being positive, rebuked Jesus for speaking of His death. Jesus, however, discerned the source: "Get thee hence, Satan," for Peter was savoring "the things that be of men" (Matthew 16:21-23). Peter was stunned, unaware he was speaking for the devil, having just spoken for God moments before through revelation.
• The Root of Failure: Both David and Peter failed because they were "ignorant of the scriptures." Had Peter known Christ's destiny to suffer and rise, he would have argued with and rebuked those thoughts. Had David known he was forbidden to number Israel, he would have refused.
• Jesus' Teaching on Thoughts: Jesus taught, "Take no thought what you shall eat or what you shall drink" (Matthew 6:25). This implies thoughts will come, but we are not to take them or act upon them if they are contrary to God's Word. We must rebuke ungodly thoughts as Jesus did.
IV. The Church's Authority and Triumph Through Ceaseless Prayer
The narrative of Peter's miraculous release in Acts 12:1-17 (KJV) serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of the Church's prayer.
A. Herod's Persecution and the Church's Loss:
• Herod stretched forth his hands "to vex" the Church.
• He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. This was a loss for the Church, as James's ministry was cut short, even though James himself went to heaven.
• When Herod saw that this pleased the Jews, he "proceeded further to take Peter also." This illustrates a pattern: if the Church is quiet in the face of persecution (e.g., destruction of churches, anti-Christian laws), the enemy will escalate his attacks.
B. The Decisive Turn: "But Prayer Was Made"
• Peter was arrested and placed under heavy guard: "four quaternions of soldiers" (16 soldiers), in prison, with intent to publicly disgrace and kill him after Easter.
• Acts 12:5 (KJV): > Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
• This "but" is pivotal. It was not God suddenly deciding to act without human involvement; it was the unrelenting, fervent, ceaseless prayer of the Church that invoked divine intervention.
• The Church must not be quiet when laws are made against the gospel or ministers. Pastors must call for prayer meetings.
C. Divine Intervention and Peter's Release:
• While Peter "was sleeping" peacefully between two soldiers (demonstrating his faith and lack of fear, knowing "I am with you always" - Matthew 28:20, and counting it all joy - James 1:2), an angel of the Lord appeared.
• A light shone, the angel smote Peter, and said, "Arise quickly."
• Miraculously, "his chains fell off from his hands" without the angel physically touching them, simply at the word.
• The angel then calmly instructed Peter to dress himself, bind on his sandals, cast his garment about him, and "follow me."
• Peter, believing it was a vision, followed, passed the first and second ward, and emerged free.
D. God Needs Our Invitation and Our Authority:
• "God needs our invitation into our circumstances" because He gave the earth to the sons of men (Psalm 115:16). He intervenes at our invitation.
• We also have "authority to make happen, authority to decide." In such situations, we are not inviting God to respond, but "you are responding in His Name."
• The first sign of believers is to "cast out devils, demons" (Mark 16:17). Many things are caused by demons.
• Satan fears a united, praying Church because he knows "nothing that we cannot do" when we come together in prayer.
V. The Triumphant Church and the Year of the Supernatural
The scroll culminates in a powerful declaration of the Church's present and future reality.
A. Victors, Not Victims:
• We are not to be "victims of circumstances" or bad government decisions.
• We must "operate from the higher realms," for this is the year of the supernatural.
• We will "demonstrate the supernatural like this world has never seen."
• We are called to "control the nations from the realm of the spirit."
• We are victors, not victims!
B. The Church's Glorious Exit:
• Before Jesus Christ returns, "the church of Jesus will be seen in glory."
• We are not "escapes" but will be "checking out of here in victory."
• The "bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7), and we are being built for that readiness.
C. A Call to Prayer and Thanksgiving:
The instruction concludes with a call to immediate prayer:
1. Give God thanks: For your life, for the knowledge of Him, for knowing Jesus, for the Bible and Holy Spirit, for a hearing ear and understanding heart, for receiving the Word, and for salvation through the gospel. Offer "sacrifices of thanksgiving" (Hebrews 13:15).
2. Pray for your country:
• Pray that the Word of the Lord has free course and is glorified.
• Pray for leadership to do God's will and purpose.
• Pray for the Spirit's intervention.
• Pray that righteousness be exalted.
• Stand against the spirit of wickedness, violence, and their influence.
• Use the Name of Jesus – the name above every name – to rebuke these wicked spirits (Philippians 2:9-10).
• Wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Use the weapons of our warfare to bring them down, destroy their influence, and rebuke their pride.
This profound message equips us with the divine perspective on prayer, shifting it from a mere ritual to a potent spiritual act that shapes destiny, changes nations, and prepares the Church for its triumphant glorious appearing. It is a call to awaken to our authority and our responsibility in the realm of the spirit.