Thoughts for Life: #19 Your Invisible Prayer Expediters

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- God's holy angels are your invisible prayer expediters. Scripture teaches that the total number of God's angels is beyond human numbering (Heb 12:22). Their primary responsibility as created beings is to worship and serve Christ (Heb. 1:4, 6-7).

Secondarily, they are assigned by God to serve "those who will inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14). Angels have a keen interest in all that concerns us, because we are important to Christ. We are His church, His bride. (Google image, Angel protection)

How Angels Helped Answer Prayer in Bible Times

The Bible teaches how God used His angels to help answer the prayers of many of the great biblical heroes. When Abraham prayed for his nephew Lot during the time he was living in the pagan city of Sodom, God sent angels to deliver Lot before destroying the city (Gen. 19).

Undoubtedly Jacob was praying fervently as he fled from his father-in-law Laban, for God instructed him to return to his own relatives (Gen. 31:3, 11-12) and sent a group of angels to protect him (Gen. 32:1-2).

When Elijah was fleeing from the wrath of Jezebel praying in desperation, God sent His angels twice to provide food for him (1 Kings 19:5, 7). When enemy forces surrounded Elisha, God sent multitudes of angels to protect him (2 Kings 6:17).

When Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven, the Lord sent an angel to deliver Jerusalem from her enemies (2 Chron. 32:20-21). After Daniel, the prayer warrior, was thrown into the lions' den, he testified, "My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions" (Dan. 6:22). When Daniel sought to understand his vision, God sent Gabriel to interpret for him (Dan. 8:15-16)

Again Daniel prayed, with fasting, and again Gabriel was sent to him (Dan. 9:3, 20-23). Another time Gabriel appeared and reported that Michael had helped him bring the answer in spite of demonic opposition (Dan. 10:2, 13). During the prophet Zechariah's vision and prayer, one of God's angels gave him the answer (Zech. 1:8-9).

In the New Testament times God sent an angel to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, to tell him that his prayer for a son had been heard (Luke 1:11-13). It was angels who brought news of Christ's resurrection to the women who visited His tomb (Matt. 28:5).

It was two angels who spoke to the disciples when Jesus ascended back to heaven (Acts 1:10-11). When the apostles were arrested by the high priest, God sent an angel to open the prison doors and to instruct them to tell the Good News (Acts 5:19-20).

During the Samaritan revival, an angel directed Philip to go south on the road to Gaza where he met and witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26). No doubt an angel was involved as well in transporting him miraculously from that place to other mission sites (vv. 39-40).

When the church prayed for Peter while he was in prison, God sent an angel to open the doors and lead him out (Acts 12:5-10). As the church continued to pray, God sent an angel to destroy their persecutor, King Herod (Acts 12:17-24).

During the long, tragic Mediterranean storm when Paul and his shipmates were about to lose their lives, and angel sent from God assured him that, in answer to his prayer, all on board would be saved (Acts 27:23-24).

No doubt angelic assistance as involved in getting them all to shore alive. When John prayed during his exile on Patmos, God sent His angel to give him the vision found the the Book of revelation (Rev. 1:1).

Undoubtedly God's angels were far more active throughout Bible times than we realize. Jesus, too, received angelic assistance. We know that at least twice when He prayed, angels came to strengthen and help him (Matt. 4:11; Like 22:43). The Bible implies that angels are just as active today.

(Chapter 7, pp. 51-53, italics added for emphasis)

Used by permission

of the Duewel Literature Trust, Inc,

Greenwood, Indiana

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Let's pray-

"Father, in the name of Jesus, it is into Your keeping that I place my family—my parents, spouse, children and grandchildren—knowing that You are able to keep that which I commit to You against that day. Thank you for the angels that You’ve commanded to guard my family and me so that we will not strike our foot against a stone. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen"

Scripture Reading 2 Timothy 1:12; Psalm 91:11-12
Germine Copeland

Prayers that avail much

https://youtu.be/9qTHuwISBTQ

It is a video of many people from Pittsburgh churches singing a beautiful prayer of blessing. [Inspiring!]

Today's Bible verses-

Prov. 3:5-8 (NKJV) "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; (v. 6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (v. 7) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. (v. 8) It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."
Prov. 4:7 (NKJV)"Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."

Today's quote-

~ Oswald Chambers- Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others.
If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God. (From My Utmost for His HighestUpdated Edition)

Words of wisdom-

~ Did you know that Jesus made heaven a possibility for you? Yes, because of what He accomplished by His willingly taking the punishment you and I deserved, we have the promise that through faith in Him and what He did, we'll be received by the Father in heaven. Won't that be wonderful? No pain or sorrow there!

Today's question-

What recommendations does the Apostle Paul give us in Philippians?

Forgetting what lies behind, press on to what lies ahead
Follow the upward call of God on your life
Deny yourself, and take up your cross daily
Joyful suffering, while obeying God brings joy
Replace the past by the power of the resurrection of Christ
Imitate those who are faithful; copying is easier
Set a standard which points to Jesus
Be aware of people who mind earthy things

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