Topical Bible: Prayer: Ascends to Heaven

◄ Prayer: Ascends to Heaven ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Prayer, a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, is the means by which believers communicate with God. It is both a privilege and a responsibility, allowing individuals to express adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. The concept of prayer ascending to heaven is deeply rooted in Scripture, illustrating the belief that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that affirm the ascent of prayer to heaven. In the Old Testament, the imagery of prayer rising to God is vividly depicted. Psalm 141:2 states, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." Here, prayer is likened to incense, a fragrant offering that ascends to the divine presence, symbolizing purity and devotion.

In the New Testament, the book of Revelation offers a powerful image of prayers reaching heaven. Revelation 5:8 describes the twenty-four elders holding golden bowls full of incense, "which are the prayers of the saints." This imagery reinforces the idea that the prayers of believers are precious and are presented before God in His heavenly throne room.

God's Attentiveness to Prayer

Scripture assures believers that God is attentive to their prayers. In 1 Peter 3:12, it is written, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer." This verse emphasizes God's readiness to listen to those who seek Him with a sincere heart. Similarly, in 1 John 5:14, believers are encouraged by the promise that "if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

The account of Daniel provides a compelling narrative of prayer ascending to heaven and receiving a divine response. In Daniel 10:12, an angel tells Daniel, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." This account highlights the immediacy with which God hears the prayers of the faithful.

The Role of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

The New Testament further reveals the roles of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the believer's prayer life. Jesus, as the Great High Priest, intercedes on behalf of believers. Hebrews 7:25 declares, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." Christ's intercession ensures that the prayers of believers are presented before the Father.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in prayer. Romans 8:26-27 explains, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." The Spirit aids believers in their communication with God, ensuring that their prayers align with His will.

Practical Implications

Understanding that prayer ascends to heaven encourages believers to approach God with confidence and reverence. Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This assurance emboldens Christians to persist in prayer, trusting that their petitions are heard by a loving and sovereign God.

Moreover, the ascent of prayer to heaven underscores the importance of praying with a pure heart and sincere motives. James 5:16 advises, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." Righteousness and faith are key components in ensuring that prayers are effective and pleasing to God.

In summary, the biblical teaching that prayer ascends to heaven provides a profound understanding of the relationship between God and His people. It affirms that God is not distant but is actively engaged in the lives of believers, responding to their prayers with grace and power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 30:27
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even to heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 5:8
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 odors, which are the prayers of saints.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer and Fervency
... By flame, prayer ascends to heaven. Yet fire is not fuss, nor heat, noise.
Heat is intensity " something that glows and burns. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/v prayer and fervency.htm

Prayer and Desire
... And we, of this hour, have need to have the live coal from God's altar and the
consuming flame from heaven glowing in our hearts. ... Prayer ascends by fire. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/iv prayer and desire.htm

M. Bulfinch. The Crucifixion.
... Listen! as the cross they raise, One brief prayer ascends to heaven; For
his murderers he prays," Father, may they be forgiven! ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/134 7s m bulfinch the.htm

LM Whittier. The Day of Freedom.
... 2 When, from each temple of the free, A nation's song ascends to heaven, Most
holy Father, unto Thee Now let our humble prayer be given. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/435 l m whittier the.htm

David's Dying Prayer
... extended to you might reach to others, and unless it prompts you to pray this prayer,
"Let the ... Do you see him, as he climbs to heaven, as he ascends to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/davids dying prayer.htm

The Message.
... if bereft of that love whose smile is heaven. ... like Baal, "slumbering and sleeping,
or taking a journey" when the voice of importunate prayer ascends from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/v the message.htm

For a Liberty Meeting on the Fourth of July.
... 2 When, from each temple of the free, A nation's song ascends to heaven, Most
Holy Father! unto thee, May not our humble prayer be given,". ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/803 for a liberty.htm

Heaven on Earth.
... From infancy to age,. Heaven is the Christian pilgrim's home,. ... Thither his raptured
thought ascends,. Eternal joys to share; ... While here be kneels in prayer. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxxviii heaven on earth.htm

Psalm 10. Prayer Heard, and Saints Saved; Or, Pride, Atheism, and ...
... Prayer heard, and saints saved; or, Pride, atheism, and oppression ... shall dare to
stand When God ascends on high. ... with foolish pride, "The God of heaven will ne ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 10 prayer heard and.htm

A Word in the Prayer.
... In this prayer the loving Master revealed to His ... The petition ascends from His
immaculate heart like ... dogmas for its expulsion before entrance into heaven. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter i a word in.htm