I have never wondered what happens to my prayers when I pray, but this was an interesting description for me —

As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. – Revelation 5:8 GNT

Remarkable imagery on how my prayers are offered to Jesus. I am sure there is symbolism here, however, I have no doubt that Jesus intercedes for me. In terms of symbolism, I see the preciousness of my prayers – incense, which is modelled in the Old Testament too and they are held in gold bowls.

The harps symbolise worship. Prayer and worship come together.

They sang a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to break open its seals.
For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God
    people from every tribe, language, nation, and race.
You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God,
    and they shall rule on earth.” – Revelation 5:9-10 GNT

I am encouraged in my purpose to live as a priest to serve God. Through my praise and prayer followed by my obedience, the purposes of God are established.

How long does it take? There have been a lot of prayers that have asked God, how long?

 How much longer will it be before you show them mercy? – Zechariah 1:12b GNT

It will be when it is time and until then, I pray.

John says in so many words, that everything he asked for he got. How many of us can say this: “Whatsoever I ask I receive”? But John explains why this was so, “Because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” In other words, the one who expects God to do as he asks Him, must on his part DO WHATEVER GOD BIDS HIM. If we give a listening ear to all God’s commands to us, He will give a listening ear to all our petitions to Him. If, on the other hand, we turn a deaf ear to His precepts, He will be likely to turn a deaf ear to our prayers. Here we find the secret of much unanswered prayer. We are not listening to God’s Word, and therefore He is not listening to our petitions. – R. A. Torrey