In this study, we explore whether or not Christians should pray to angels. We also look at what it takes for our prayers to reach God.

Scriptures:

Psalms 103:20-21

Psalms 148:1-4

Rev 8:3-4

Psalms 141:1-2

Exodus 30:34-38

Luke 1:8-13

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Timothy 2:1-6

Romans 8:26-27

Exodus 20:3-6

Col 2:18

Rev 19:9-10

Exodus 23:13

Matthew 25:40-41

2 Cor 11:14-15

1 John 4:1-3

Galatians 1:8

Matthew 4:8-10

Deuteronomy 18:9-13

Matthew 28:18

Introduction - Praying to Angels

Since angels are seen as supernatural beings, some people try to pray to them directly to get their requests fulfilled.

Those who pray to angels include:

Catholics

angel saints: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael
pray to their angels: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
Michael and Gabriel are in the bible
Uriel and Raphael are from their apocryphal books: Tobit and Enoch 1

New Age Religions

pray to many angels by name
light candles of a certain color candle for a corresponding angel
wear crystals that represent a certain angel

Orthodox Christians
Some Jews

Why people pray to angels:

to bring blessings and favor in various parts of their lives
seeking favor or answers in their relationships
seeking favor in their finances
healing
to get parking spots
for guidance

Why Some Believe It’s Biblical

Psalms 103:20-21

Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

Is David asking the angels to do anything for his benefit?

What is he asking the angels to do?

praise God

Is he asking or instructing them to do it?

he’s instructing them

Psalms 148:1-4

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

What is David instructing “the waters” to do?

praise God

These are songs in which David is telling all things in Heaven and earth that they should praise God

let Heaven and nature sing

Angels Joining in Worship

If anything this is telling us that it’s okay to request/instruct the angels to praise and worship God

Some Jewish and Christians traditions directly request angels to join in with them in worship or praise

Are Your Prayers Reaching God?

Rev 8:3-4

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

Did the angel give the prayers to God?

It says: “prayers of God’s people”. Who were they praying to?

God
not the angel

What is the angels responsibility?

to get the prayers to God

Does the angel respond to the prayers?

Is there any reason to think that if we prayed to the angel that those prayers would even get to God?

What was combined with the prayers?

incense

Where did the incense come from?

it was given to the angel

By whom?

it doesn’t say

Getting Our Prayers To God

Psalms 141:1-2

1I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;

hear me when I call to you.

2May my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

What did David hope that his prayers would resemble?

incense

The Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle

Exodus 30:34-38

34Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”

Where was this incense used?

on the altar in front of the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle

Where else could this incense be used?

no where else but in the Holy place for God

God said the incense would be:

most holy
pure
sacred

Luke 1:8-13*

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.

Who was praying?

all the assembled worshippers

Did the priest assist in getting the prayers to God

Did the people pray to the priest?

Could the angel have assisted in getting the prayers to God?

yes, it’s feasible

Did the people pray to the angel?

So we have an image of the priest in the physical realm presenting the prayers to Heaven and an angel in the spiritual realm taking them and presenting them to God

The Golden Altar of Incense

When God designed the Jewish temple, the layout was meant to represent the layout that exists in the spiritual realm in Heaven. So we can examine the physical representation to understand the spiritual reality.

--M.L.

The golden altar of incense, which is not to be confused with the brazen altar, sat in front of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This altar was smaller than the brazen altar. It was a square with each side measuring 1.5 feet and was 3 feet high. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. Four horns protruded from the four corners of the altar.

God commanded the priests to burn incense on the golden altar every morning and evening, the same time that the daily burnt offerings were made. The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It was made of an equal part of four precious spices (stacte, onycha, galbanum and frankincense) and was considered holy.

-- The Tabernacle Place

Rev 8:3 And there was given unto him much incense . . .—Literally, And there was given to him much incense that he might (not “offer it with,” as English version, but) give it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. The incense was to be mingled with the prayers of the saints. The incense was added to give a fragrance to the prayers of the saints, and render them acceptable before God. The incense which is added to the prayers is not supplied by the angel: it is first given to him, and he then mingles it with the prayers of all saints.

-- Ellicott's Commentary

there were two altars in the tabernacle:

the Altar of Burnt Offering
the Altar of Incense

the burnt offering was a blood offering to atone for the sins of the people
the incense was added to the prayers to make the prayers sweet smelling and acceptable to God
In Rev 8, the incense was not supplied by the angel, but it was given to the angel
the bible does not tell us who gives the incense to the angel
you can look at the incense as purifying our prayers so that they will be worthy of reaching God
only holy things can be in God’s presence
since the incense was holy and sacred when it intermingled with the prayers the prayers became holy enough to reach God

One Mediator

Since we no longer use these altars how are our prayers getting purified?

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

So we see that Jesus’ death and resurrection replaced not only the blood sacrifice, but also the altar for incense
Jesus makes our prayers sweet smelling to God
Jesus purifies our prayers and makes them holy
Jesus washes away our sins
Although we see biblical examples alluding to priests and angels assisting in getting our prayers to God, Christians no longer need their assistance because Jesus will now ensure that our prayers get to God

Jesus is Our Only Mediator

1 Timothy 2:1-6

1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

Does Paul encourage intercessory prayer?

Who do we need to go through to get our prayers to God?

only Jesus
not priests, pastors, angels, saints, Mary

The Holy Spirit

Romans 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

the Holy Spirit will also pray on our behalf

So although it’s fine to have others pray for you, you can have direct access to God through Jesus. You don’t need to send your prayers through anyone else. You can go directly to God through Jesus. The Holy Spirit will also pray to God on your behalf.

Don’t Worship Angels

Exodus 20:3-6

3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Which images was God against?

any image depicting anything in heaven or earth

What are the two things God said we shouldn’t do to any images

worship them
bow down

What are some examples of images that people bow down to?

angels
Mary
saints

Col 2:18

18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

there are people who worship angels

Rev 19:9-10

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

Will an angel of God encourage you to worship/honor it?

Who will angels encourage you to honor?

God
Jesus

Is Prayer Worship?

If you pray you are honoring or showing respect to what you pray to

To pray to something you’re exalting it as being higher than you

Example: What if a tv pastor said that you should pray to him for a monetary blessing instead of praying to God?

No Other Names

Exodus 23:13

13 “Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.

Is it okay to say the names of other beings when praying?

no
just Jesus or God
not saints, Mary, specific angels by name

we know that God is a jealous God

Dangers of Praying to Angels

Matthew 25:40-41

40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Are all angels serving God?

Do all angels have your best interest in mind?

What are the 2 types of angels?

angels following God
demons that follow the devil

2 Cor 11:14-15

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

What does it mean that satan masquerades as an angel of light?

he will pretend to be an angel of God

What does it mean that is servants will masquerade as servants of righteousness?

the demons will pretend to be angels from God

if you’re praying directly to an angel how do you know which type you’re praying to?

example: Son wanting to drive car

If you pray to a demon are you praying to an angel?

technically

What’s the best way for a demon to get you to continue praying to it?

Testing the Spirit

1 John 4:1-3

1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

how does the bible say to test a spirit

any spirit that claims Jesus is God come in the flesh
until then you don’t know

Galatians 1:8

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!

What is a sign not to listen to an angel?

if it teaches something other than the good news of Jesus coming to earth and dying to give us eternal life

Satan Wants to be Honored

Matthew 4:8-10

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

Satan wanted Jesus to worship him. Satan wants us to worship him.

Tests:

If an angel tells you to worship him then it is not from God.
An angel shouldn’t contradict something in the bible
Notice that anytime people in the bible communicated with angels they saw the angel
If the angels teaches something other than ‘God coming to earth as Jesus and dying to give us eternal life’ it’s not from God

Why take the risk when you can pray directly to God?

Why People Pray to Angels

unanswered questions
they see them as powerful
because things supernatural are intriguing
to give them some control of their life
they think it will be more effective than praying to God
not getting a response from God

They aren’t getting what they want from God, so they turn to other sources

previous studies to reference:

Why Prayers Don’t Get Answered
10 Reasons Your Prayers Don’t Get Answered

example: calling post office to find out if you got a college acceptance letter

the post office only delivers the mail they were given
honoring the postman won’t help
don’t call the post office
it’s okay to try to call the college directly to see if it got lost in the mail

it won’t affect your chances of getting accepted

pray without ceasing

What if the guy at the post office says that you need to send him $65 for the college’s processing fee?

God Should Be Our Source

Deuteronomy 18:9-13

9When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. 13You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

God should be the first one we turn to to:

find out answers
find out future
solve our problems
find our mate

Don’t Seek Answers From:

fortune tellers / psychics
horoscopes
demons
angels

We should not take part in any rituals that involve communicating with or directing any other beings other than God or Jesus:

angels
saints
dead prophets (e.g. Moses, Elijah)
deceased relatives
ghosts
aliens
Mary (mother of Jesus)

Don’t perform any rituals involving:

creating an altar to honor anything other than God or Jesus
burning candles for other beings

candle burning isn’t referenced in the bible

chanting or praying any names other than names of God or Jesus

if the name isn’t in the bible how do you know whether it’s good or evil?

channelling spirits

assigned spirits

problems caused by praying to angels:

false sense of control/security
weakens your relationship with God
it is idolatry
opens the door for demonic contact

The bible does support seeking answers from:

Godly counsel

the bible

Conclusion

Matthew 28:18

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Your father is the king yet you're praying to the servants of his household (angels)

We should not exalt angels by praying to them or honoring them above us

If we are children of the king we should not honor the king’s messengers, soldiers, entertainers, and informants. You do not bow to them, pray to them, or put them in high esteem. Only the king is worthy of your honor. The king will assign them to protect, educate, and guide his children until they come to a point of maturity.

Question to Ponder: What happens to that relationship after the king's children reach a point of maturity? When the princes and princesses grow up what is their relationship with the servants of their father’s house?

Galatians 4:1-7

1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Presenter: Michael Leadon

Summary

some people pray to angels (like Catholics)
some cults or mystic religions pray to angels by name
there are no examples in the bible of humans petitioning angels directly for anything

with the possible exception or request to have angels join in worship to God

We looked at what the bible said was involved in getting our prayers to Heaven
In the Old Testament the High Priest stood before an altar of incense in front of the Holy of Holies in the temple/tabernacle to aid prayers reaching God
In Revelations, we see an angel in Heaven mixing holy incense with prayers to purify them so that they can reach God
Ephesians tells us that Jesus is now both the fragrant offering and the sacrifice
Jesus atones for our sins and He purifies our prayers so they are worthy of reaching God
Jesus is now the only mediator between us and God

Christ is now the mediator between us and God. But this is only if we allow Him to be. This is why Christ said “if you abide in me ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”. If you abide in Christ He will ensure God hears your prayers and you hear God’s answers get back to you.

We also saw that there are good and bad angels
The bible states that Satan and his demons disguise themselves as angels of light
If you pray to angels you open yourself up to interaction with demons

References:

http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_questions/Answers/angels/help.html

http://www.christianpost.com/news/praying-to-the-departed-conjures-fallen-angels-94947/

http://angels.about.com/od/AngelBasics/f/Do-People-Pray-To-Angels.htm

Pages

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Praying to Angels