STUDY
THE SCRIPTURE
Click
here to access the reading from Revelation 8:1-5
REFLECTION
Holy Smokes
by
Mary McGinnis
Are you feeling
discouraged? Like your life and this world is spiraling out of control? It
feels overwhelming when we look around us at all the things that are happening;
the continued spread of COVID-19, the violence and hatred that is consuming our
cities, the political unrest, continued economic stress. And seemingly there is
no end in sight.
Sometimes heaven is
quiet for what seems like a long time. We pray, and pray, and pray, and
nothing seems to happen. We wonder if God is really listening. And if He
is, does He really care? If He cares, why isn’t He doing something?
It may feel like your
prayers are bouncing off the sky. But our prayers are not like a tennis ball
that is shot up into heaven for God to catch or reject. Instead, our
prayers are drifting up toward heaven like incense. The Almighty God is
breathing in all our heartfelt prayers and longings, and they are a sweet aroma
to Him.
And even when there
seems to be a pause of silence in heaven, He is still in command. Our
prayers are making a difference! God hears us in our distress. Our prayers
are collectively being lifted to heaven. He will command His angel to take up
the censer that holds our prayers and scoop up the holy fire of His perfect
justice and hurl it down to the earth.
One day He WILL make all
things right! And when His perfect justice comes, those who trust in
the saving work of Jesus Christ will not be consumed. Thanks be to God who
gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Practice: Cry out to God! Let
your prayers, like incense rise. Pray against injustice, pray for the
persecuted church and pray for God’s will to be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. When we pray these prayers, we join the faithful Christians around the
world and throughout history who are praying for God to bring salvation and
deliverance.
1 comment:
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Seventh Seal and the Golden Senser":
Mary, the comment below was delted by mistake. I wanted to be sure you saw it.
Thank you Lord! Oh God who is all and yet also hears my prayers.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection, it helped me to understand this scripture in a new way.
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