Memorial Before God

 

Allow me to encourage you with a thought: our prayers never die.  What in the world do I mean by that?
In  Acts chapter 10 verse 2; Cornelius “prayed to God always” and God sent an angel to tell him “thy prayers… are come up for a memorial before God” (verse 4). We must learn to continually be in communication with our Heavenly Father so that prayer becomes as constant as breathing (I Thessalonians 5:17).
Evidently our prayers never die, in the sense that God remembers each prayer we pray throughout eternity.  Look at Revelation 5:8.  When John looked over into heaven, he saw “golden vials (or bowls) full of odors (or incense), which are the prayers of saints.” Also in Revelation 8:3 there they are again “the prayers of all saints” before the throne of God.
Now back to Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. It was through the faithful prayers of this devout Christian servant, that Peter was sent to him, was shown in a vision (the great sheet) that all peoples are loved by God and deserve to hear the gospel (Acts 10:34,35 & 45).  You could say that because of the faithful prayers of Cornelius, Gentile people like you and me received the good news.
What are you praying about? What is it heavy on your heart? Just remember that your prayers never die!  They ascend to God in heaven and are remembered throughout eternity.  Imagine in heaven, God reminding us of certain prayers we prayed and the lives changed, the souls won, the ministries sustained, churches revived, etc. All because we chose to be faithful in our prayer life.


Pastor Bruce Freeman

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