Praying in the Light of Revelation
of heavenly realities. In Daniel 9, the angel Gabriel comes to visit Daniel and reveal truth to him as a result of his prayer. And Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian church regarding prepa- ration for spiritual battle is not only to take up spiritual but also to pray “at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (v. 18). It is thus seen that the act of prayer is a way by which the believer engages in the unseen world of spiritual realities. Just as John has a vision of the throne- room of heaven in Revelation 4, the believer in prayer can “draw near to the throne of grace [to] receive mercy The book of Revelation, while
providing a behind-the-scenes look at “these last days” (Heb. 1:2), also instructs its readers in prayer. Along- petition, there are also ways by which the content of the book generally in- forms our prayers. How, then, might we pray in light of all that the book of Revelation reveals to us? Here are just a few ways:
By Emily Woodard, Women’s Ministries Spiritual Life T 20
apo- kalypsis (Greek), which means a revelation, or disclosure of truth. What- ever else comes to mind when we think of the book of Revelation, it is
helpful to remember that the book (and Biblical apocalyptic literature in gen- eral) is meant to reveal, or disclose, something of the truth that is otherwise unseen or unknown. In Revelation, readers get a peek behind the curtain of life on this earth and are able to view reality from the perspective of heaven. Other parts of Scripture have prepared the reader of Revelation for its con- tents. In the apocalyptic second half of the book of Daniel, for example, Daniel visitor (e.g., 9:20-23, 10:1-14). Truth is revealed to him about what is happen- ing in history behind the level of what humans can see and experience. And in blood, “but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic pow- ers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (v. 12).
In both Daniel and Ephesians, prayer is part of the context for the disclosure
Pray with Adoration In Revelation, John records his ex- perience of viewing the worship of heaven. In chapter 4 he sees the four living creatures around the throne who “never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” (v. 8). The 24 elders also, casting their crowns be- fore the throne, praise the Lord who is “worthy… to receive glory and honor and power…” (v. 10-11). The worship around the throne contin- ues into chapter 5, and there are other scenes throughout the book of sing- ing and adoration. Our earthly wor- ship follows this example, beginning with hymns and prayers of praise. It prayer with praise and adoration. The worship John observes in-
cludes a visual representation of prayer. In chapter 5, as the Lamb takes the scroll, the 24 elders who fall down before the Lamb are each hold- ing a harp and “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (v. 8). It is very much in the style of Revelation to incorporate Old Testament imagery, see Ps. 141:2. The idea of prayers as incense, as Derek Thomas explains, is for us to picture
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Women’s Ministries
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