When most people think about heaven, they think about pearly gates, angels, clouds, or streets of gold. The Bible certainly uses beautiful imagery to describe heaven, but what stands out to me most are the descriptions of what heaven feels like. In heaven, no one is carrying shame. No one is fighting cancer, or anxious about paying bills. No one is lonely, grieving, addicted, or afraid.

In Revelation, John writes that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Can you imagine a world with no betrayal, disease, panic attacks, or suffering? God created that world, but sin broke it, so for now, we live in a fallen world where people receive difficult diagnoses, anxiety keeps people awake at night, and addictions destroy families. We all know what it’s like to experience the pain of living in a broken world, and we could all use a little bit of heaven today. I believe that’s why Jesus told us to pray, “on earth as it is heaven.” He wants us, and the people around us, to get a taste of what’s to come.

I’ve always felt that this part of the Lord’s prayer is a great place to pray for the people in our lives. It’s an opportunity to ask God to intervene in the mess, pain, injustice, and sin of the world. So who needs a taste of heaven today? Maybe it’s the couple who are barely holding their marriage together or the single mom trying to survive. Now is the time to pray for heaven to invade their life. This is also a wonderful time to pray for people who don’t yet know Christ. We don’t simply want them to experience a glimpse of heaven—we want them to spend eternity there. Perhaps the greatest way heaven touches earth is when someone discovers the grace of Jesus for the very first time.

Pray By Name

There’s a popular story about the great evangelist D.L. Moody carrying around a list of 100 people he knew. These 100 people did not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus, so day after day, year after year, Moody prayed for them by name, asking God to draw each one to Himself. As time passed, people on the list began coming to faith, and one by one, their names were crossed off the list. By the end of Moody’s life, 96 of the 100 had become Christians. Here’s the best part: When Moody died in 1899, four names still remained, but the message of the gospel was shared at his funeral, and those final four people responded in faith. Maybe you should start your own list—write down the names of your children, siblings, coworkers, neighbors, or friends who don’t yet know Christ. Pray for them consistently, and ask God to let heaven come into their life. 

As a pastor, I could tell you hundreds of stories of people coming to Christ when everyone thought they were too far gone. I’ve even had spouses tell me that although they were still praying for their spouse, in their hearts of hearts they doubted God could reach them. But over and over again, He shows up, and the person who once seemed like a lost cause becomes a citizen of heaven. So don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Keep praying for whoever you’re praying for. You never know when God might answer the prayer.

My friend, Chris, went to the dentist for an abscessed tooth when he was 21 years old, and the dentist prescribed Vicodin to help manage the pain. Chris says that when he took it, it felt like a switch had flipped. In his words, “It was like I had been looking for that feeling my entire life.” That prescription kicked off a decade-long battle with addiction, during which Chris spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on drugs. He stole money from relatives, damaged nearly all of his relationships, and spent time in prison. At his lowest point, he even intentionally injured himself to get a prescription for pain pills.

Chris eventually went to rehab, and while detoxing, he felt he had hit rock bottom. Desperate and out of options, he cried out to God, “If You’re real, just give me one more chance.” He called his sponsor, Glen, who had been inviting him to church for six months. Chris had turned him down every time before, but this time, Chris was ready.  When they arrived at church, Glen took Chris to a display in the lobby where people had written down the names of people they were praying for, and Glen pointed to Chris’ name. For 14 months, Glen had been praying for Chris to get clean and give his life to Jesus. Long before Chris ever cried out, “God, give me one more chance,” someone else had already been crying out to God on his behalf.

Feel Like Heaven

Let me challenge you with one more thought. What if people felt closer to heaven after spending time with you? What if your presence helped people experience what the Apostle Paul described as a peace that passes understanding? In a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control, what provides a better glimpse of heaven than a person with perfect peace? Maybe one of the greatest ways we can bring heaven to earth is by refusing to let earth steal those little bits of heaven from us. Isaiah promises us it’s possible. He said, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 

Take a few minutes and pray for all the places and people who need to experience heaven today. Instead of “on earth as it is in heaven,” maybe you’ll say:

“In my home as it is in heaven.”

“In my workplace as it is in heaven.”

“In my school as it is in heaven.”

“In my neighborhood as it is in heaven.”

“In my marriage as it is in heaven.”

“In my friendships as it is in heaven.”

“In my church as it is in heaven.”

Practice:

Write down the names of three people who need a taste of heaven today. Pray for each of them by name, then think of one practical way you can bring a little bit of heaven into their day—maybe a phone call, a text, a meal, an invitation, or a kind word.

Prayer:

Father, I lift up the names of the people on my heart today. Bring peace where there is anxiety, hope where there is despair, healing where there is pain, and grace where there is guilt. Let my home, work, conversations, and life become places where heaven breaks through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.