The Sweet Incense of Prayer: A Gift in the Season of Waiting

Waiting. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That space where time seems to drag, and our hearts cry out for God’s promises to unfold. For Christian women, especially in seasons of waiting—whether it’s for a spouse, a child, healing, or simply an answer to a long-asked prayer—it can feel like we’re treading water, trying to keep our heads above uncertainty. But take heart! Our waiting is not in vain, and neither are our prayers.

In fact, Scripture gives us a beautiful, heavenly perspective on our prayers, especially in those times when we’re waiting. Revelation 5:8 says:
“And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8 NLT)

This verse paints a vivid picture of how precious our prayers are to God. They rise before Him like incense, filling His throne room with a sweet fragrance. And yes, even the prayers we utter in frustration or exhaustion are valuable to Him.

Let’s dive deeper into this beautiful metaphor of prayer as incense and how it offers hope to women in their season of waiting.

1. Our Prayers Rise Like Incense Before the Lord

Incense in the Bible often symbolizes the prayers of God’s people. It was a sacred, fragrant offering used in the temple worship of Israel, and the aroma was said to rise toward heaven. This image isn't just poetic—it’s deeply symbolic of how God views our prayers.

Psalm 141:1-2 echoes this sentiment:
“I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalms 141:1-2 NIV)

Notice the cry of the psalmist: "I call to You, Lord, come quickly to me." Doesn't that sound like so many of our prayers in waiting? Yet, even in the desperation of his cry, the psalmist’s prayer is described as incense, a precious aroma that rises up to the Lord.

What does this mean for you in your waiting?
It means that every prayer—whether it’s whispered at night as tears fall or joyfully proclaimed in faith—doesn’t just drift away. It goes straight to the heart of God. It’s cherished, gathered, and held. You might feel like you’re stuck in the "in-between," but your prayers are doing spiritual work, rising before the throne of grace. Even when you can't see the result, God is hearing you.

2. The Waiting Season Is Not Wasted

When you're in a season of waiting, it's easy to feel like time is slipping through your fingers. You might wonder, "What’s the point of all these prayers if nothing is happening?" But here’s a truth we can hold onto: the waiting season is not wasted when it’s bathed in prayer.

Think of the incense rising. It takes time for it to fully fill the temple, just as it may take time for the fullness of God's plan to unfold in your life. But that fragrance? It's constant. Even when we can’t see the physical change, our prayers—our incense—are saturating the air, preparing the way for God’s answer.

While you're waiting, God is working. His timing is perfect, even if it doesn’t align with our human clocks. Your prayers are like seeds planted in the soil. Though the harvest hasn't come yet, the process is underway beneath the surface. Trust that God is both hearing and moving, even if the results aren’t immediately visible.

3. Prayer as a Spiritual Offering

In the Old Testament, incense was an offering—a gift given to God. Similarly, when we pray, especially in our waiting seasons, it becomes an offering of faith and trust. Every time you lift your voice or heart to God, you are essentially saying, “Lord, I believe You. I trust that Your timing is perfect, even when I don’t understand it.”

This act of surrender is powerful. It's a sacrifice, much like the evening sacrifice mentioned in Psalm 141:2. Lifting up our hands in prayer can be seen as an act of surrender and worship, trusting that God's plan is greater than what we can currently see.

An invitation for us as women waiting:
Offer your prayers like incense, knowing that God is pleased with your persistence. Remember that even unanswered prayers are still heard and cherished. They fill the heavenly bowls, as Revelation 5:8 tells us, waiting for God's perfect timing to be poured back out in blessings and breakthroughs.

4. Encouragement for Christian Women in Their Season of Waiting

Sisters, if you’re in a season of waiting, know this: You are not forgotten. Your prayers are not empty words spoken into the void. They are cherished, gathered, and held before the Lord as a fragrant offering.

God sees you. He sees your heart, your hopes, and yes, your frustrations. And while the waiting may be hard, you are not waiting alone. Just as your prayers rise like incense to the Lord, so does His presence descend to comfort and guide you in your waiting.

Practical Ways to Embrace Your Waiting Season:

• Daily Prayer: Lift up your concerns, hopes, and desires to God every day. Let your prayers be an offering that rises to Him.

• Scripture Meditation: Reflect on verses that remind you of God's faithfulness in seasons of waiting, like Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

• Gratitude Journal: While you wait, write down the small blessings you experience daily. It's easy to overlook God’s goodness in difficult times, but practicing gratitude helps us see His hand at work, even in the wait.

• Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Seek out a community of faith, whether it’s in your church or online. Sometimes, we need others to remind us of God's promises when our own strength feels weak.

Trust the Fragrance of Your Faith

In closing, remember this: your prayers are powerful. They are not just words spoken into the air, but incense rising before the throne of grace. Every time you cry out to God, He hears you. And even though the waiting may feel long, God’s timing is perfect, and He will answer in the best way.

So, lift up your prayers, dear sister. Let them rise like incense, filling the house of the Lord, and know that He is faithful to bring beauty from your waiting.