A Prayer from the Revelation of John
The words of the Bible’s final prayer will remain on the lips of believers until that certain day when the Lord returns triumphantly for His people.
The words of the Bible’s final prayer will remain on the lips of believers until that certain day when the Lord returns triumphantly for His people.
This passage reveals the hymns of praise that will be sung when the great choir of heaven rejoices in God’s judgment against the evil of the world and announces the glorious wedding feast that will take place when the church is presented as the beloved bride of Christ.
First recorded in Exodus 15:1 (and believed to be the oldest song that has been preserved), this hymn-prayer originally celebrated Israel’s freedom from Egypt’s bondage. In heaven it will be sung to honor the infinite and holy glory of the Lord and His victory over the shackles of sin and death.
This verse lifts the curtain on the glorious prayer-song the redeemed will sing throughout eternity – that the blood of the Lamb paid the price for the salvation of His people.
The records of prayer’s achievements are encouraging to faith, cheering to the expectations of saints, and an inspiration to all who would pray and test its value. Prayer is no mere untried theory. It is not some strange unique scheme, concocted in the brains of people, and set on foot by them, an invention which has never been tried nor put to the test. Prayer is a Divine arrangement in the moral government of God, designed for the benefit of all and intended as a means for furthering the interests of His cause on earth, and carrying out His gracious purposes in redemption and providence. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
God’s only condition and limitation of prayer is found in the character of the one who prays. The measure of our faith and praying is the measure of His giving. Like as our Lord said to the blind man, “According to your faith be it unto you,” so it is the same in praying, “According to the measure of your asking, be it unto you.” God measures the answer according to the prayer. He is limited by the law of prayer in the measure of the answers He gives to prayer. As is the measure of prayer, so will be the answer. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
Really the promises of God to prayer have been pared down by us to our little faith, and have been brought down to the low level of our narrow notions about God’s ability, liberality and resources. Let us ever keep in mind and never for one moment allow ourselves to doubt the statement that God means what He says in all of His promises. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
The prayer force in God’s government is as strong as any other force, and all natural and other forces must give way before the force of prayer. Sun, moon and stars are under God’s control in answer to prayer. Rain, sunshine and drought obey His will. “Fire and hail, snow and fog, stormy wind fulfilling his word.” Disease and health are governed by Him. All, all things in heaven and earth, are absolutely under the control of Him who made heaven and earth, and who governs all things according to His own will. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
In the fearful contest in this world between God and the devil, between good and evil, and between heaven and hell, prayer is the mighty force for overcoming Satan, giving dominion over sin, and defeating hell. Only praying leaders are to be counted on in this dreadful conflict. Praying believers alone are to be put to the front. These are the only sort who are able to successfully contend with all the evil forces. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)
To “pray without ceasing,” to pray in everything, and to pray everywhere -- these commands of continuity are expressive of the sleepless energy of prayer, of the exhaustless possibilities of prayer, and of its exacting necessity. Prayer can do all things. Prayer must do all things. (Adapted from E.M. Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer)