Monday Morning Manna: Angels as Prayer Partners

When I teach on prayer I usually include the role of angels as one means through which God responds to our requests. I occasionally have a challenger in the group that questions my comments. I simply reply that 34 of the 66 books in the Bible mention angels, including Hebrews 1:14, which refers to angels as, “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” I then clarify that nowhere in the Bible does anyone address a prayer TO an angel, but rather angels assist God as our heavenly prayer partners. Furthermore, the songs we sing often refer to angels – from the traditional, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” to the more contemporary, “We are standing on holy ground and I know there are angels all around.” The Bible tells us of angels protecting God’s people, delivering God’s people, delivering God’s message to God’s people, delivering God’s punishment on behalf of God’s people, renewing physical strength, being accompanied by light, and accompanying the blessed dead to heaven. Following a wreck a few years ago, my wife described it as feeling like a big hand took our van and guided it safely on its side to stop just short of a large concrete abutment. Later I read Psalm 91:11-12, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” I believe in angels. How about you?

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.