I read this story recently. It was about a woman up in years who had lived as a widow for a very long time. The book explained in just a few words how she spent her life. It was simple and most people wouldn’t have written about it at all. Her life to most would seem of no consequence. But we are always missing things, the main ones too. So I read intrigued about how she spent her time and used the years of life. My heart happily surprised that purpose could be so simple yet fruitful and beautiful. She prayed and fasted everyday. She wasn’t looking for greater work. She realized prayer and fasting… this is the great most powerful work of a saint. And she spent her life more beautifully than some receiving accolades.

What if prayer is the great work of our lives? What if the great work God is calling us to involves our isolation at times, solitude, and  a great refrain from the repeated chorus of busyness resounding in our days? What if the great work isn’t done on a platform or in a meticulously edited book? What if the great work of the Christian is to join God directly in His work?  What if we have been missing greatness all this time? Bent knees, eyes raised up or heads bowed down, tears or laughter, in happiness or pain the outcry of the saint is great work and {a supernatural overthrowing of our kingdom for the One, the true}.

In a breath of words we renounce our own kingdom (repentance) and bid Christ’s kingdom come (exaltation).

We can in a moment align our will with that of heavens. 

We can say “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” And mean it and see now or later, or more likely now and later how gloriously God weaves our work in prayer and His foreordained will together. God having predestined all, and we joining Him, renouncing our kingdom, while simultaneously ushering in His. We are waiting for some greater call. All the while are missing the greatest… Our hearts interwoven with the perfect plan leads us to the ground to pray. This is the great work of the saint.

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

What if prayer with the Word of God is the great informer of all the best writing and speaking? What if prayer is the way you make it through laundry and dishes and sweeping times without number? What if prayer is a means God employs in the winning souls and the wooing the hearts of children to God? What if life is made or broken in murmuring confessions and thanks, sorrows and joys to our God who anticipates us. How often do we go to the throne Jesus bled and died to give us access to? What if heaven is missing our prayers? They are all carefully kept. Every one of them.

And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:7-8

The secret things of God are for those who fear Him. The promises are for the believers and believers pray.

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 141:2