Increasing the Substance of Prayer

Rev 8:1-5
Rev 5:8 NKJV ….each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
(Rev 8:4 NKJV) And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.
(Rev 8:5 NKJV) Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

11 years ago I was in Philippines for a mission trip.

When the ministries ended I was told the church have a morning prayer.

So I went the next day at 5am.

That morning, I had an encounter with the Lord that changed my life.

During the time of worship the presence of God was very tanglible and strong.

The pastor and his wife prayed for me and saw consecutive visions.

He first saw a fountain releasing much clear water.

Then he saw many luscious and fruitful plants and trees but all of it was covered by crystal clear water. And the 2 pictures pieced together.

The water that covers everything that was blooming was released from the fountain.

The interpretation was that the prayers that flows from our hearts are the fountain of water that is being released. And the water of prayers would cover everything and cause abundant life and fruitfulness to spring up.

I came back with a vision and commitment to pray for Ampang and our nation and to see the water of His glory and presence cover Ampang, causing His fruitfulness to thrive.

There is substance in our prayers. When we pray the water of His glory is released. When we pray incense rises to God.

And in the Book of Revelation we see that the prayers of the saints are like incense that rises to the throne of God. Apparently they are collected in bowls and then used to be poured out on earth to accomplish God’s will.

The way rain comes about is similar. The heat of the sun causes water vapour to rise to the sky. The vapour forms clouds and the clouds collected condenses and then comes down as rain. The rain would water the ground and bring fruitfulness to the crops.

Our prayers in the name of Jesus according to God's will have substance. They are never empty words. We need to know this and release faith when we pray. We are not to take our prayers lightly. They have the power to bring tremendous transformation to individuals, families, communities and even nations.

There is a very important aspect of prayer that is often neglected, and that is we need to pray with persistence, patience and endurance and never give up!
· Elijah prayed 7 times before the rain came. 1 Kings 18:41-46
· Daniel prayed for 21 days before the breakthrough came. Daniel 10: 2-3, 10-14
· Jesus prayed 3 times at garden of Gethsemane before He could face the cross Matt 26:36-46

The key verse for Malaysia National Prayer & Fasting is
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2Ch 7:14 NKJV)

Our prayers can bring healing to our land.

Instead of our well deserved judgment because of our sins, we can see God's mercy and grace poured out in our land. And revival and salvation can flood our beloved nation.

May I plead with you to make a determined decision that you will pray more during these times of great trials. Look at the disasters that are happening everyday in the global scene. We need to pray like never before because we really need His grace and mercy.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1Pe 4:7 NKJV)
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
(Luk 21:36 NKJV)
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
(Col 4:2 NKJV)

Therefore let us pray.

Dutch Sheets says,
We must release it. Release the river! Release the power! Release it and release it and release it and release it some more! Again and again and again!
We need committed, determined, systematic prayer not once in a while fireworks!

Make a commitment that you would cause prayers to rise to God like incense. See a vision of your prayer bowl being filled up. Commit to pray more by yourself; with your family; with Christian brethren; in church prayer meetings!

May His Kingdom come! May His will be done!