Singing praise and bringing the prayers of God’s people to God, these are not the “jobs” that I would expect the twenty-four rulers closest to Christ to have. Rethinking the cultural paradigms that I have accepted, this is what God calls me to.
My prayer:
As I think of the elders playing and singing, I join them. “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)
Biblical Touchstones:
Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. …And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” …the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song… Revelation 4:4, 9-11, 5:8-9 (NRSV)
Invitation to Prayer:
Join the choir of the elders as you sing or say (more than once), “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Amen!
Photos: Some of the twenty-four elders shown in the outer two circles of the south rose stained glass window (1221-1230) at the Chartres Cathedral in France.
Other Posts in this series on Praying with the South Rose at the Chartres Cathedral:
(1) Meeting the Stained Glass Window
(2) The Center
(3) Symbols that still speak to us
(4) Censing angels
(5) The Eagle representing the gospel writer John
(6) What is needed now
(7) Praying for those who suffer
(8) Finding your focus
(9) Luke, the gospel writer. Diversity.
(10) Mark, the gospel writer. The courage to follow Jesus.
(11) Matthew, making God’s story available.
Pray with Jill Geoffrion 