18 Time is Near 8-1-6

When Silence Speaks: The Power of Prayer

Revelation 8:1–6 NASB 95

1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

When Silence Speaks: The Power of Prayer

Bible Passage: Revelation 8:1-6

This world is anything but silent

In our rush to activity we brush off the silence

My children often find it hard to understand why I do not always have the radio on in the car.

Silence is golden. It can be and often is refreshing.

But for me it is the time I can use to meditate with God.

Elisabeth Elliot says in her book, “Secure in the Everlasting Arms”

“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”

Today we see silence speaking through the power of prayer.

When Elijah encountered God following the Mt Carmel experience it was in the gentle blowing wind that God spoke. 1 Ki 19:12

Often we become busy because our business replaces our time with God.

Today we will see the power of our prayers as they become incense, a pleasing aroma to the Lord God.

Pray

Video-The Power of Prayer

Our scripture opens with a...

1. Profound Pause: The Silence

Revelation 8:1–2 NASB 95

1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

Finally the seventh seal is broken and the book can be opened.

Remember the 4 horsemen, Anti-christ, war, famine & disease, death & hades, the saints beneath the altar of God, the gut wrenching earthquake, the fire from heaven, the darkening of the sun and moon, the stars falling from the sky

Now, the 7th seal-silence

What is it that causes a great commotion to suddenly go silent?

Think of the Ga National Fair.

What would it take to bring silence to that midway?

It would have to be an attention grabber.

When I worked at Monroe the noise in that plant was constant.

Everyone had to raise their voice to converse with someone near them usually.

On one spring afternoon a loud clap of thunder was heard above the den of noise in the plant then suddenly silence.

The plant was dark except for emergency lights.

Machines suddenly stilled.

The only noise that could be heard was air leaking from pressure lines.

Though we could finally hear one another, no one spoke.

It was an eerie silence.

I believe the silence in heaven was eerie like that at the plant.

This seventh seal revealed something that brought silence to all of heaven.

The 7 angels who were always before God were given trumpets.

Those in heaven knew what that meant

Now the judgments will come from God on those who do not have the seal of God on them.

This silence before the storm serves as a critical reminder of our reliance on prayer and the assurance of God hearing and acting.

2. Prayers Ascend: A Fragrant Offering

Revelation 8:3–4 NASB 95

3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.

Remember the 7th seal is now broken

All of heaven was silent for half an hour.

Now we see an angel coming to stand before the altar.

In his hand was a golden censer

He was given much incense

He added that incense to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar which is before God.

Where are the prayers of all the saints?

Our prayers are on the altar before God.

Prayers then become a sacrifice that is pleasing to God.

Have you ever considered that the sacrifice you make to pray is just that.

A sacrifice.

For many offering an animal or giving themselves is a sacrifice.

But the act of praying is most definitely a sacrifice to God.

It is evident that God desires the prayers of the saints.

Why do you think God desires prayer from the saints?

In praying to God we are humbling ourselves before Him.

We are recognizing that He is greater than we are.

We need His guidance, His direction, His power, His love.

We simply need Him.

Jesus spoke of the widow’s offering

He teaches us that sacrificial giving is more about the heart than the amount.

She gave her two copper coins,

which seemed small but was a significant sacrifice for her.

Prayer is our offering to God –

it might feel small at times,

like a whisper in the wind,

but its impact is immeasurable in the Kingdom.

Isn’t it wonderful that our smallest sacrifices in prayer can have eternal significance?

Don’t ever get so busy that you fail to have time to pray.

Our prayer is so significant to God

Our prayer is our relationship to Him.

Prayer is also used teach us.

Tell the story of the vision that prompted us to keep moving to Plainview TX.

If prayer is so important, why is it so hard to take time to do it?

Because prayer is so important diversions, hindrances all become a stumbling block to keep us from prayer.

Prayer is a...

3. Powerful Preparation: Divine Response

Revelation 8:5–6 NASB 95

5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

It is finally beginning

The Great Tribulation is about to begin.

The prayers of the saints for vengeance are about to be answered.

It begins with the same censer that was used to bring incense to the altar where the prayers of the saints were.

That same censer is now filled with coals from the altar and is thrown to the earth.

Thunder, lightning and an earthquake follow.

The end is coming.

God’s judgement is upon the world finally.

For unbelievers life is about to get beyond rough.

Conclusion

Prayer is both a powerful tool and an essential part of God's redemptive purpose

But silence is essential in prayer

Silence is where we begin the process of humility

Silence is the recognition that someone else is in charge.

In that silence God begins his work.

We have to recognize the role of prayer in our lives, especially during times of waiting and uncertainty.

Prayer reassures believers that our cries and supplications are heard by God and are important to His divine plan,

Prayer motivates us to maintain a prayerful posture in all circumstances.

Prayer is a form of surrender.

#275 I Surrender All

1.   All to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. (Refrain)

2.   All to Jesus I surrender; Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit; Truly know that Thou art mine. (Refrain)

3.   All to Jesus I surrender; Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power; Let Thy blessing fall on me. (Refrain)

Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all, All to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

When Silence Speaks: The Power of Prayer