Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne” (Revelation 8:3).

Your prayers are like incense before the throne of God.  There are also the prayers too deep where the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  These prayers come continuously before God.  He hears every one of them.  Remember, God is outside of time so He has, so to speak, all the time He needs for every prayer.  The Lord gives you promises so that you will live by them and prepare for what is coming.

I know the day is coming when we shall all stand before the Lord and know Him even as we have always been fully known.  Lord, I still need so many things and I do not know where to begin.  Let me begin this day by remembering that You have taught us to pray without ceasing.  Teach me how to do this again.  Guide me — because I know that You hear me — so that I keep in constant contact with You.

Lord, there are many kinds of prayers I pray.  This is between You and me.  I need help so that I don’t just complain to You, or continuously ask for things.  Many of Your words tell me to praise You, which I can do in prayer.  Help me again by reminding me of the prayer You taught us to pray and then to expand upon it so that I am constantly in communion with You, my Savior.  Amen.

“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them” (Revelation 8:2).

After the silence, the Lord speaks.  Are you prepared to hear what the Lord has to say?  Many go about their day without a thought about the One who made them.  Some deny Him and become wrapped up in the false gods of this age.  But what about you?  Are you prepared to hear when the Lord speaks?  Open your ears and listen, for the Savior desires that you not perish, but come to Him and remain with Him forever.

Lord, You have spoken in many and various ways.  In these latter times, You have spoken words of warning so that we may realize how serious You are about our salvation.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of truth so that I may humbly walk with You and learn.  You have given me the gift of grace and You send me into the world to tell others of the Good News of great joy.  Send me, Lord, prepared by Your word.

Lord, there are many things I can ask for.  In terms of things in this world, what good would they do?  Help me to prepare by knowing Your word and walking in Your ways.  Guide me to proclaim with all that I am the truth of the Gospel. Lead me, Lord, in the way You would have me go.  If I am to declare You in this world, give me the voice to speak of You faithfully.  In all things, help me learn from You how to be steadfast in Your Word.  Amen

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1).

The Lord is slow to anger.  Do you think the Lord likes seeing all the suffering upon the earth in this age?  “And Jesus wept.”  But there comes a time when things must be as they are.  The Lord gives us time.  Plenty of time.  None of us will have an excuse.  Will we come to the Lord and walk with Him, or will we continue in our own way.  There is a time for silence, but then a time for action.

Lord, help me to know when to do what is needed.  Sometimes I am busy when I should be still and other times I am still when I should be busy.  Guide me in Your grace to do what needs to be done in both cases.  Through all things, help me to see more clearly that You are doing what needs to be done in this age in order that we may be saved from the silence where Your word will not be present.

Dear Savior, all things are in Your hands.  Guide me today in the grace and mercy You have given me so that I may humbly walk in Your way.  Help me to be still and know that You are the One who saves.  Keep me today and every day in the way of truth.  May I know and always marvel at the amazing grace You have given me.  May I learn to praise you in song and in silent prayer.  Amen.

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17).

This is a promise to cling to.  The Lord Himself will wipe away every tear.  Why do you look to created things to comfort you?  Many of us do this, but why?  Why not learn to come to the One who made all things.  He has promised to be our comfort.  He has promised to watch over us and lead us.  Why go anywhere else?  Come to the Lord of all now and follow Him today as you shall forever.

Lord, I do not know why I take comfort in things.  To a point, that is fine, but I often cross the line where I take comfort in things of this world instead of resting in You.  Lead me into a life of deeper prayer so that I look to You truly as the source of all things.  May I learn the comfort You give so that even in times of personal adversity I can retain the true hope You have promised for those who are in You.

Lord Jesus, Scripture says that I should become like You, a child of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me in the hope, grace, mercy, and comfort You give so that I may abide in You deeply.  Help me now and always so that I may overcome the obstacles of this world and learn from You, the Great Shepherd, not only how to live in this age, but prepare for the age to come.  Lead me now and always, dear Savior.  Amen.

“‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.  The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat” (Revelation 7:16).

The promise is paradise.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  We long for a place where we no longer battle against the elements.  It has been easier in our age with food and shelter, but there is more depravity and hatred.  This age is filled with sin.  Focus upon the promise, “Never again.”  The Lord promises that we shall be freed forever from sin.

Lord, I cannot even begin to imagine what a place without sin, want, depravity looks like.  Help me to focus upon the task at hand knowing that the day will come.  Meanwhile, there is still sin in me.  Lead me to pick up my own cross, follow You, and live through this age knowing that You have given me great hope.  My hope is in You and what You have promised.  Lead me to work toward that promise.

My dear Savior, I like the idea of a place without want and fear.  I like the idea of a perfectly safe place.  But it must begin with me.  As I am, I would ruin the whole thing.  Lead me, Lord, by the grace You have given to go to work.  I have been lukewarm.  Put fire under me so that I respond to You as to what needs work.  Help me to not lash out at my neighbor as I am confronted by the sin in me.  Amen.

“Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence” (Revelation 7:15).

Jesus told us all that we need to know.  Do we listen?  He said, abide in me and I in you.”  Those who abide in Him will be with Him forever.  Do not answer with the trivial, “That sounds boring.”  It is not about You.  This is His creation and you have been invited to abide with Him.  The proposition of living a life of faith is a twenty-four a day, seven days each week proposition.  Do not think that your faith-life is a hobby or a part-time pursuit.

Lord, You gave Your all.  It is a an all or nothing proposition to walk humbly with You.  Guide me, Lord, in the truth so that I do not fall into the trap of playing games with anyone.  Lead me according to Your goodness to see reality more clearly.  The wicked one will assault me in body, mind, and spirit.  Help me resist the attacks he will launch.  Help me to keep my focus, and may it be clearly upon You.

Lord Jesus, You have invited me to walk humbly with You all the days of this life and into eternity.  Help me take the steps I need to take.  Help me and clear my mind.  Guide me in Your goodness, knowing that in You alone is there hope and an eternal future.  May I be one who knows that You alone are Lord and that my awareness of truth begins with abiding in You.  Come, Lord Jesus, and abide in me and teach me to abide in You.  Amen.

“I answered, “Sir, you know.”  And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

This age is a tribulation.  Some have it more difficult than others, but it is hard to be faithful amongst such unfaithfulness.  Those on one side who hate the Lord outright and those on the other who pretend to have faith, but always limit it to Sunday mornings and positive thoughts.  One must be washed in the blood of the Lamb.  One must be immersed in the Word. Are you in the Lord?

Lord, I need to be cleansed.  Only You can create in me a clean heart.  Guide me according to Your will to walk humbly with You so that Your Spirit can do the deep work that needs to happen in me.  Lead me according to Your goodness to know the hope You give.  Let me not go one way or the other but lean wholly upon You for all things and walk the narrow path.  Guide me in Your goodness, Lord.

I need Your blood to completely cover me my Lord and Savior.  Only in You Jesus do I have hope for righteousness.  Keep me from scoffing or joining those who hate You.  Let me never become lukewarm where I think faith alone is enough.  Lead me on the narrow path, dear Savior, so that I may be one who is washed in Your grace and mercy.  Guide me in Your goodness to join with the saints as one of Your faithful.  Amen.    

“Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” (Revelation 7:13)

Where do you come from?  How did you get to the place where you read these words?  Who is behind the journey you are on?  You did not arrive at this place on your own.  The saints who have gone before you have provided a faithful witness.  The Holy Spirit has been at work all along.  Pay attention to your neighbors, for they too deserve your thanks.  Move out of yourself and into reality.

Lord, I do not think about all the things that have happened so that I could hear about You and the Good News of Great joy.  Help me to appreciate all the things that have come together to make my faith possible.  Help me to be moved by all the things that were necessary in order for me to believe.  Then teach me how to be thankful for all the faithful saints who have provided their witness.

Lord Jesus, there are a great cloud of witnesses who have provided a path for me to follow.  It began with You.  Help me to walk the path of salvation and be one of those who leaves a witness for others who will come after me.  Guide me in Your goodness to join the cloud of witnesses and sing Your praise with my life, taking up my cross and going where You lead me.  Lead me into faithfulness this day dear Lord.  Amen.

“All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:  “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!” (Revelation 7:11-12)

Where is the center of your life?  Is it you?  Is it your circumstance?  Is it the Lord?  Look at the reality in heaven.  All praise, thanks and honor belongs to the Lord.  Are you moving in the direction where the worries of this world are becoming secondary to your praise of the One who holds all things together.  This is not a show to watch, but an invitation to come and join the reality of eternity.

Lord, I do sit on the sidelines and watch things.  In my mind, I constantly worry about all kinds of things, leaving little room for You.  I need a new and clean heart.  I need to be saved yet again to begin again the journey of faithfully walking with You.  Guide me on the path of salvation so that I may join with all of those in heaven who sing your praise.  Help me come to the place where I know there is nothing else to worship but You.

Savior and Master, You know all that is before me.  You know the obstacles I will face.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Lead me up and out of the pit of sin and help me to bear to my own cross as I follow You.  You are Lord and Master, and rightly are You to be praised.  Let all I do this day be a praise and thanksgiving to You, my Master and Savior.  May I walk in Your promises this day.  Amen.

“And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”  (Revelation 7:10).

There is no salvation apart from the Lord.  This is the way and truth of the matter.  If you want to connect with God, then let Him connect with you.  There is no other way for connection, for the connection is saving grace.  There are many whose egos are such that they think this unreasonable.  Those in rebellion are unreasonable.  God is God and He has set the rules in place.  There is no salvation apart from His grace.  Build your life of faith around the truth which He gives to those who hear and obey it.

Lord, You have spoken Your word and Your word is truth.  Lead me away from the false religion that has me doing whatever needs to be done for my salvation.  You are the Savior.  But do guide me in responding to Your amazing grace by seeking to live a life worthy of Your calling.  Such a thing is impossible for me alone, but I can strive toward that goal anyway, knowing that You are the One who completes us.  Lord, You know what is needed.  Save me that I may stand in Your presence forever.

Savior of the world, help me to stand firm in the truth that there are not many roads, but one path that leads to eternal life.  Guide me in the truth You have revealed in order that I would humbly walk on the path You have established.  Lead me according to the Father’s purposes to learn how to obey all that You have commanded.  Guide me all of the days You give me here to respond with acts of thanksgiving, reflecting Your love for me to others in all I do.  Amen.