What in heaven’s name are we doing? Is there something you and I could do today that would make an eternal impact in heaven? I believe there is! When we worship here, we mirror what all of heaven is doing in God’s presence. When we sing, we join our voices with those who sing in heaven. When we pray, God collects our prayers in a bowl. Then he sends power to change things on earth.
John ran right into a worship service in heaven. After Jesus delivered his message to each church through John (Revelation 2-3), John heard a voice saying, “Come up here.” John saw the things which “must take place after this” (Revelation 4:1). What did John see? He saw worship. Living creatures sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” Others sang and said, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain . . .” (5:12-14). People fell on their faces before God and cast their crowns at his feet, in deep humility. In heaven, nobody else thinks they are the king.
Does our prayer really make a difference? In Revelation 5:8 and 8:5 we get a glimpse of the difference prayer makes. Prayers rise like smoke before God. God collects the prayers of his holy people here and holds them in bowls of incense. When the angel saw the prayers, he used his censor and sent fire toward the earth causing seismic change. This gives a whole new meaning to “praying up a storm.” We send our prayers up to God and he sends his power down to the earth. We literally fling the fire when we pray.
This week, Zoe, a young girl for whom we have prayed awakened again from her illness. God hears our prayers for this young girl, and he answers. When we pray, we are doing God’s work bringing heaven to earth. So, in heaven’s name, continue to pray.
