The Vapor of Prayer

The Vapor of Prayer
by Florida Shaw (wnop.com)

Have you ever heard the expression, "What goes up, must come down?" There is reality in this statement in regards to gravity. How about, "You will reap what you sow?" This is scriptural (Gal. 6:7). Or "If you make a deposit, you can make a withdrawal?" A simple common principle that applies here is that whatever you put into it is what you will get out of it. If you desire a return, there must be an investment. So is it with prayer, you must send it up so that answers, according to the will of God, may come down. Prayers are eternal, and have no boundaries, and can even travel worldwide when aligned with the purpose and plan of God.
A "vapor" in the natural sense of the word is defined as a gas formed by boiling or evaporating a liquid; water in a gaseous state, especially when diffused as a vapor in the atmosphere and at a temperature below boiling point. "However much vapor you send up will determine what will come down." This statement has inspired me to venture into an analogy of prayer. Gen. 29:2-3 recounts when the servants of Jacob rolled away the stone from the well's mouth and the flocks of sheep were watered. Later, we see the stone being rolled away again in the New Testament when Jesus rose, and afterward came forth as "The Living Waters." John 7:38 states, "...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters." This, spake He signifying the Spirit. However, in Matt. 3:11 John the Baptist declared, "he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

Water exists in three main natural phases: solid, liquid and vapor. When water is solid it is much like "ice;" rigid, solid and cold...it does not flow out. When water exists as a liquid, it is a little more flexible; however, it still takes the shape of the container. If your container is small, you will have little water, and if your container is larger, then you will have more water. Nonetheless, it still takes the shape of the container, and it is limited. It flows out to some degree. However, when water is in the vapor phase, it has little or no limits. It expands to the heavens as it evaporates into the clouds. How does water transform into this state? It is heated up! The Holy Ghost is like "Living Waters," but "Fire" is a step further. The Bible says in James 5:16b, "The effectual fervent (heated) prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Our prayers are like vapors ascending upward. It is best not to be cold, or lukewarm, but rather "hot." Be on fire for God with fervent prayer!

Now, the clouds can form, and down comes the "latter rain." God said that He would give us both "the former and the latter rain." So, here comes the downpour.  It's time for Churches everywhere to pray with great confidence knowing that if we have sent up prayers (vapors), the results (water) and outpouring will come down. In doing so, prepare and get out your the raincoats, umbrellas and boots because there is a sound of an abundance of rain. Better yet, step into the waters like Ezekiel did in Ezek. 47:1-5, when he went into the rivers of the sanctuary. The waters were at his feet, then ankles, then knees, then waist, then shoulders and then waters to swim in. Let's get out our scuba diving equipment to go deeper, because "deep calleth unto deep." Or, get an Ark. Noah did. But, it was only to the saving of his family. Moses floated in a little one; but, he was brought forth only to the saving of a nation. But, perhaps, you have access to an ark of prayer as you reach for the spiritual Ark of the Covenant behind the veil at the throne of God, which will help to the saving of a world!

In I Kings 8:41-45 Elijah said "there is a sound of abundance of rain... And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand…and it came to pass... that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain." So, send up the vapor of prayer like Elijah did and expect great return! We see again in James 5:17-18  "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."