We hear in Revelation 8:1-5 that after opening the seventh seal, there is a time of silence in heaven. During this silence, several events occur. Seven angels are given seven trumpets. An angel offers much incense along with the prayers of all saints on the golden altar before the throne. The censer, filled with fire from the altar, is cast into the earth, resulting in voices, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. In other words, our prayers are heard by God! On the prayers of the saints, God hastens the Second Coming of Christ. What a reason to pray fervently. But we may ask ourselves, “Lord, why is Your return taking so long?” It seems as if the Lord is delaying. This question has been asked throughout the centuries; we read about it in the New Testament. It also arises in Revelation 8, with the silence that prevails and the many prayers that are heard but seem to go unanswered. Is the Lord delaying His coming? Can He hear us? Will He hear and answer? Well, those prayers are not unanswered! Moreover, God is not delaying. There may seem to be a delay, but it serves a purpose. The first purpose is that the gospel must go forth. All nations must be reached—those from the hedges and fences, from everywhere. That is what God is doing; there is no delay at all! Second, we know that, in connection with this, enmity will increase. The spiritual battle will intensify. It will rise to such a climax that Satan will be released for a short time. But these things must happen. The man of lawlessness must still be revealed, as Paul writes in Thessalonians. No, God is not delaying, but let us not fall asleep or be tempted. Let us watch and pray, knowing that those prayers play a role in God's salvation history. What a high calling prayer is!