God hears and remembers our prayers, and though it seems that He is not listening and our prayers won’t happen, the bible shows us that they do. But we have to understand that its fulfillment will happen according to God’s timing not ours.
Prayers fulfilled at present
Our prayers are heard by God and God instruct angels to fulfill our prayers according to the timeline that it must be happen. Some prayers are done at present (David, Moses, Elijah, miracles) and some are given after a long time.
- Elijah Prays for Rain – 1 Kings 18:41-19:8
- Moses prayed for Mirriam’s healing from leprosy – Numbers 12:1-15 (Quick response from God, and He gave instructions on how Mirriam will be healed)
Prayers that will be fulfilled after some time
Read the narratives about Daniel (Daniel 10:12-13), Simon (Luke 2:25-37) and other books of the Bible where angels of God showed to servants of God to fulfill their prayers.
Moses led the Israelites to reach the promised land, and prayed for their journey and the people. But Moses died without seeing promised land. Does this mean God did not fulfill Moses prayers? No. The Israelites reached the promised land under the guidance of Moses’s successor – Joshua. (Joshua 13-22)1 This means that God fulfilled Moses’ prayers, it’s just that Moses did not see it in his time on Earth.
1. Daniel
Daniel 10:12-13, NKJV
12 Then he said to me. Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that you did set your heart to comprehend so that you might stand before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come in response to your words.
13 The ruler of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there against the wishes of the ruler of Persia.
2. Simon
Luke 2:25-35, Lamsa
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simon; and this man was pious and righteous, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it was said to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death, until he sees the Anointed of the Lord.
27 This man was led by the Spirit to the temple; and when the parents brought in the boy Jesus, to do for him according to what is commanded in the law,
28 He received him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Now dismiss thy servant, O my Lord, in peace, according to your word;
30 For behold, mine eyes have already seen your mercies,
31Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32A light for a revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory to your people Israel.
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled about these things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simon blessed them, and he said to Mary, his mother, Behold, this one is appointed for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign of dispute;
35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul; so that the thoughts of the hearts of many may be revealed.
3. Prophets and servants of God accoding to Paul
Hebrews 11:13, Lamsa
“13 These all died in faith not having received the promised land, but they saw it from afar off, and rejoiced in it; and they acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth.”
Prayers that will be fulfilled even after we die and will happen before judgement day
Some of our prayers will happen after we die and in the future – particularly the time where the events in the book of revelation will take place.
What happens to our prayers?
Our prayers become incense’s smoke.
Revelation 8:3-5, Lamsa
“4 And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.“
Revelation 5:7-10, Lamsa
“8 And as he took the book, the four wild beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, and everyone of them had a harp and a cup of gold full of incense, and these were the prayers of the saints.“
Where do our prayers go to?
Our prayers are stored upon the golden altar which is located before the throne of God.
Revelation 8:3-5, Lamsa
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, and he had a golden censer; and abundant incense was given to him, that he might offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Are they remembered by God after we pray them?
A. Handled by the four wild beasts and twenty-four elder – Before the seals will be opened
Yes, in the book of Revelation it stated that there’s is place for our prayers and they are being included for worship by the four wild beasts and twenty-four elders as they sing praises to open the seals. These seals are the events that will happen during the tribulation towards the second coming of Christ.
Revelation 5:7-10, Lamsa
“7 And he came and took the book from the right hand of him who sat upon the throne.
8 And as he took the book, the four wild beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, and everyone of them had a harp and a cup of gold full of incense, and these were the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang new praise saying. You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And have made them to our God kings and priests: and they shall reign on the earth.”
B. Handled by angels – Before the 7 trumpets and 3 woes
The angels manage the prayers so it can ascend to God, and before the 7 trumpets and 3 woes happen a time where there will be a series of suffering and chaos on earth.
Revelation 8:3-5, Lamsa
“3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, and he had a golden censer; and abundant incense was given to him, that he might offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there were voices and thunderings and lightnings, and an earthquake.”
Reference:
(1) Olson, D. Commentary on Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25. Working Preacher retrieved on March 31, 2024 from https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-32/commentary-on-joshua-241-3-14-25-3.
Everlasting 