Angels Among Us?
I was putting Jett to bed last night and he prayed…
“Dear God, thank you for my family and friends. Please help Kellen Winslow score a touchdown tonight so I can win my fantasy game and please send an angel to protect me tonight from bad guys and monsters.”
I realized after he prayed that prayer I really don’t think about angels very often. To be honest, rarely do I think about angels. I’m not even sure I even totally understand their role.
Here’s what the Bible says:
Psalm 91: 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands,so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Here’s what others have said…
“When my time to die comes an angel will be there to comfort me. He will give me peace and joy even at that most critical hour, and usher me into the presence of God, and I will dwell with the Lord forever. Thank God for the ministry of His blessed angels.”
- Billy Graham
“An angel is a spiritual creature created by God for the service of Christendom and the church.”
- Martin Luther
So what do you think? Do you believe in angels? What do you think their role is in our world today?
**Prayer update: Jett woke up this morning without a scratch on him. No bad guys or monsters were allowed to wreak havoc in his room last night. However, Kellen Winslow didn’t do jack and he lost his fantasy game.
Maybe he should have prayed for an angel to “inhabit” Mr. Winslow!
Is Kellen Winslow a “believer”? Or He might have forgotten to pray.
Obviously if angels are mentioned in scripture…alot, I believe in them.
God must deem them important as He sent them to deliver many VERY important messages (“Behold I bring you tidings of great joy. Unto you this day shall be born, in the CIty of David, A SAVIOR…”).
Seems like Angels were sent to give encouragement and direction as well as protection in the OLD and NEW testaments.
And they can fly…You gotta’ love em’!
They know how to worship, too!
I don’t pray to them though.
And it seems some tend to “worship” angels, but that’s just how we do. We’ll take something beautiful God has created for our benefit and rather than thanking God for the gift, our attention instead glorifies the gift itself.
Angels are good.
God is GREAT!
When Christ was addressing the crowd about how we need to become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God, He goes on to say this:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
By the way, CNN ran an article earlier this year about guardian angels. I did a post on it and asked a similar question… If you would like me to link the post or the article let me know.
I say “God please dispatch your angels to protect my family” all of the time. And I can give you an occasion when I realized he did just that. By the way I believe they show up in all forms.
My som works at night at a convience store. When he first started I couldn’t sleep at night. Afterwhile I realized that I couldn’t do that forever so I started praying the “angel” prayer (just my name for it). My som even told me not to worry because he worked at one of the few places that didn’t get robbed on a daily basis (he had worked at another place before this and had been robbed at gunpoint, so he knew why I was concerned when he changed jobs). It would be many years later before I got it. One night my daughter and I went to see him at his job and pick up a few things. Before I even got out of the car I noticed cop car’s in the front of the store, behind the store and on the side. And even as one would leave, not long after another group would pull in. My son told me this happens all the time because the cops get free coffee and a donut. It wasn’t until I got back home that night that I remembered my prayer….God please “dispatch” angels to protect my son and those he works with. Cover then Lord, from the front to the back. I realized then that those cops were my sons angels!
Yeah man for sure. Not in an “Oprah” kinda way but I absolutely believe in angels. I can’t take the “angel worship” that goes on in society and our fascination is disproportionate to societies hunger for God.
But I think the Bible does spell out that they real and are real spiritual beings that do assist in the struggles that do go on in the spiritual realm.
It’s funny because I think Christians don’t think much about them because of the new agey gobblety gook that many of turned it into.
I believe that angels walk amongst us daily. From the person you meet at the store, to the person next to you at church. Be kind to all.
Well, Kellen Winslow was no angel in the game but I think we do underestimate angels and their effect in the world.
A little angel history for us. Angels were a very in thing back in the mid 90′s but then lost their way when “Touched by an Angel” was canceled. I even remember a praise song or two that talked about the “brush of angel’s wings”. Let us not forget the late 70′s early 80′s Amy Grant hit “Angel’s watching over me”.
Oh I believe! An almost daily prayer for me is: “God send out Angels on________’s behalf to guard her/him in all his/her ways.
And as for those pictures of sissy looking angels, ahhh no thank you, I choose to believe my angel is massive!
I believe.
I have felt their presence (it was only once but it was unmistakable).
i DEFINITELY believe in angels. They have saved me many times. I know it.
Crazy! i was just thinking about this exact thing this morning… This is so weird. I was wondering if I have ever encountered an angel. Because I definitely believe in angels, and I also believe that they are there ministering to each of us. I wonder how many times I have been ministered to by an angel. Just a thought… You know? Pete, you impress me not only as a pastor but also as a husband and a dad. That’s part of the reason I keep reading and coming back… I’m a youth pastor, and I want to make sure that I don’t become an excellent pastor and a crappy dad/husband. Thanks Pete! You encourage me…
i definatly believe in angles, although even though God may have used them to protect me at times, I give all glory to God. My son loves these angels http://www.angelwars.com. I hope mine are this cool.
I believe there are battalions of angels assigned to children and they are all out of breath at one point or another. Picture basketball players subbing in–fresh legs. Can I email you a short piece I wrote about that?
And unrelated…Heb 13:2 is the scriptural support for “mystery shoppers” at church
Supposedly I have one that plays the violin. I play the violin, so I think that’s pretty neat. I’ve never heard or seen him though (even though friends and family members have). I have seen angels, but mainly the “other” kind. But I sense the presence of both on a regular basis.
Good old fashioned charismatic here!;)
Frank Peretti’s books opened my eyes to see angels 20 or so years ago. He did more in his fictious stories to help me be constantly aware of Angels and to know how to pray agaisnt demonic fallen angels and for God’s Heavenly Warrior/Messenger Angels. If you participate in spiritual warfare pray, understanding the role of angels/demons are critical. I have been reading Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets, He teaches on praying in this spiritual way.
Being a lover of mission work, I also have heard so many real life testimonies where angels manifested themselves to appear to be people/ guards/ whatever needed to keep a family/church safe. The stories are faith building. I can find them for you if you want them. I heard many testimonies 20 or more years ago when I would attend mission conferences.
Many children also see Angels, even if we don’t. My friends car rolled over and over off the road and her then 8 yo son, asked her who the big people where standing by the car when it was rolling. No one in the car got a sratch on them. Other people in missionary stories have questioned, why were we not attacked last night. Local people responded about the large strong army seen encamping around their property, hut, or home. A little child I knew from years ago fell off a swing set, and she asked her mother about the people who helped her when she fell. This is very common.
I pray often to release God’s Heavenly armies into the spiritual realm to fight the demons. God set the world in order in a way that we need to ask, and He will provide. Often He wants to move in a situation, but no one asks. I see my prayers as a way for God to use me, to see His Kingdom work done and coming into action. He chooses to partner with us in this world. It is not my power, but my prayer of His child allowing/partnering with Him and His power through me, His redeemed vessel.
Yes absolutely I believe in angels…. so many times throughout my life I have felt the presence of angels in different circumstances. Since my father died, I am convinced that he is my angel because I feel his presence so many times when I am discouraged or need help making a decision. It’s like God knows I need my “guardian angel” and he sends him to stand with me. I love how awesome our God is uses His angels to comfort us… and to protect us from evil….
So here’s another question. I’m just thinking outside here. I get they (angels) are with us to protect us.
How do we explain their role when things don’t go so well in life?
@Pete… I think that is a limiting statement to say that Angels are here to protect us. Protection is just one aspect of their service to God not to us. It is His will that is carried out when they involve themselves in our lives just as it is when they do not.
We are given free will and that brings about the ability to make poor choices that affect ourselves as well as others. Those are growing moments and many times they are messy.
In those times, we are reminded that we can’t do it on our own.
Just my 2 pennies.
I think that Daniel 10 answer’s a lot.
I think that often… our prayer life sucks… and that prayer is needed to have heaven’s answer come to earth. God chooses to need our participation in answers coming.
I believe in Angels.
As simple as it seems, I believe their role is to do whatever God commands of them. Be it protect, or comfort, or even test us as Hebrews talks about entertaining Angels unaware.
When things don’t go so well in life, I think its for some other reason, not because angels have not done their job, rather, it was not God’s plan for them to possibly intervene. I don’t think God promises us protection in our post cross living, so therefore I guess I don’t believe angels only role is to protect us, sometimes God’s plan is bigger than our lives or our well being (Louie Giglio said that and I agree with him).
How do we explain their role when things don’t go so well in life?
They are there to comfort us and to remind us where our real hope comes from. I don’t talk about it much because it freaks people out.. but I know without a doubt I was visited by at least two during the years I was ill. Each time they were sent to remind me that no matter what the doctors said or didn’t say… I was safe in His arms even if I never walked again or would be healed completely. I’m willing to look like a fool today for Jesus.
Was it Daniel that wanted to know where the help was and the response was cool it. I had to go back and get Michael the Archangel and it took us weeks to battle through the forces of evil. Likely during that time of waiting, lots of bad things would have an opportunity to happen.
Jesus will come again. Hopefully, sooner instead of later. Then, we will see angels bigtime!
Absolutely! Always have – always will! I’ve sensed them several times throughout my life, often not until they’re gone that it hits me. I have witnessed children seeing them. And I believe that I know of a specific child who is…he was born to save his mother (not her soul, just her life here on earth) and he has.
I can’t wait to meet the angels that have helped to protect me on so many occasions throughout my life – and say “thank you” to each of them!
Interesting all of the thoughts on post, I too thought of the Frank Peretti books..
I believe we have angels among us.
A few weeks ago a lady gave me an angel pin and I later tossed it because of the context from “whence it came”..it was new agey attatched.
I read the book Billy Graham had on angels..gives me goose bumps. Some moments can’t be explained, they are God!
Jesus said “….you must become like these children.” My kids remind me of how I should be on a daily basis. For those of you without, this is reason 1001 to adopt or have children. If you raise them responsibly in God’s word, they can show you God’s presense everyday and sometimes be angels themselves. We will hold the devilish cries and stinky diapers for another discussion.
I fear I’ve been putting God in a box.
What do you mean Pete..putting God in a box?
Thanks a lot Jett. I LOST my fantasy game thanks to that prayer. I guess God did not appreciate my prayer of, “God, please let Kellen Winslow get some sort of virus or infection and have to sit out!”
I do believe in angels… and I honestly would love to learn more about what the Bible says about them…
I do believe in angels… and I’ve had that conversation with a friend of mine about angels’ presence when bad things happen…
My best friend Susie’s dad was killed in a car accident seven years ago… he accidentally crossed the center line and hit a semi head on. My friend Susie, her little boy and her mom were in the van driving right in front of him when it happened and she saw the whole thing in her rearview mirror. It was devastating to say the least. About three months after the accident she showed up on my doorstep at 11:00 at night… shaking, crying, freezing cold. I think she was just coming out of the shock and daze she’d been in since the accident.
I wrapped her in a blanket and she kept wanting to know why it happened, why God didn’t stop it, why there weren’t angels there to protect her family on that day. And then we started talking about all of the things that DID happen that day. One of the bystanders at the scene was a minister and his wife who came and sat with Susie and her mom; after the paramedics took her dad they took them to their church so Jonathan (her son) could play in the playroom and Susie and her mom could decompress. Susie’s husband is a state trooper and was on duty close by so he was able to get to the scene and be there to help her dad, which meant a lot to Susie that he wasn’t with strangers. I was singing at my cousin’s wedding that day and was only about a half hour away from her parents’ home, so I was able to get the call and go directly to her, rather than be hours away.
God didn’t stop the accident… He promised us free will. We make simple choices every day that affect the outcome in our lives… but He also had angels everywhere in the circumstances that followed. There were amazing ways that God and the angels took care of my friend during the worst day of her life.
At least that’s what I believe. (Sorry that was so long)
@Pete…. don’t we all?
As long as I can remember angels have been a very real part of my life, probably thanks to my mom. She always prayed that God would surround us with His protective and warring angels which led to imaginations of giant angels encompassing my bed, car or walking in front and behind me.
On the other hand I think people seem to forget that angels are not little gods. It’s ridiculous when people pray to angels or worship them. They’re God’s army, His servants and ministers, not more than that.
@Sara – I love your story. I use that “God gave us free will” to explain a lot of the bad things that happen.
“City of Angels”is my favorite movie of all time. I have this image in my head of God’s Angels lifting and taking my (first) husband from his car before it tumbled and rolled off the side of the road. Chuck was not in that car, as I believe your friend’s dad was not. The Angels took him in their arms and protected him.
I believe in angels because they’re mentioned all over the place in the bible. There’s a pretty strong argument that people have (or maybe had) guardian angels. Acts 12 includes a conversation between Peter and an angel, and THEN it gets interesting. When he knocks on the door where his buddies are hiding one of the ladies inside says, “Peter is at the door!” but then another guy says she’s crazy and that it’s probably “his angel”. I could be wrong, but he seems to be talking about Peter’s guardian angel.
But why do we need a guardian angel these days? We have CHRIST in us! What more could we need? Asking for an angel might imply that we don’t think Christ is enough for what’s coming… or maybe that we’re not quite convinced that Christ is actually always with us (in us), even though he says he is. But hey, what can it hurt to have a few of the good guys with me?!
@ryanguard, Dang it. Stop it. You guys are making my brain hurt. That is a great point dude!
It is weird that God can just speak to make His will happen, but so many times in the Bible He did send angels to do His work. Sometime He uses people, sometimes angels and sometimes He just does it Himself. I wonder when He uses whom? Very interesting!
@ryanguard – That is such a great point! I’m glad I stopped to read what you had to say.
Angelology needs to be based in the Scripture. The question to ask is what does God in His Word say about angels? It doesn’t matter what we think, experience, believe, feel, sense, have been told, etc. If you want to understand angels, or anything else for that matter, you have to study the Bible. And you can’t just take one angel verse and make it your angel truth. A topic has to be studied out in whole, through Scripture. It is always a good reference to see when the word angel was first used in Scripture…this is commonly the leading meaning of the term/word.
Fact 1 – angels are real. God talks about them and uses them in the Bible.
Fact 2-The word angel used in the OT and NT is 5 different Hebrew/Greek words.
Fact 3 – The first use of angel is Gen 16:7 …the angel of the Lord found her… prophetikos a foreteller, of prophecy, prophetic..This word prophetikos is used exclusively in the OT. No other Hebrew word is used to translate to angel. Every OT verse has this word for angel.
Fact 4 – There is a very important point. When Angel is capitolized it is God (most Bible studying people believe it is specifically Jesus).
Fact 5 – Gen 16:7 is the passage of God speaking to Hagar…clearly the Angel of the Lord is God.
Fact 6 – the first use of angel (lowercase) is Gen 24:7b “..He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there…” Abraham is sending his servant to get a wife for his son from the daughters of Canaanites. Abraham knows God has angels and that they can be used by God to help, direct, move before you, prepare your way. This is just the beginning of the OT study.
Fact 7 – NT aggelos – a messenger, Mt 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit….”
That’s all I can say for the night…my children are waiting to watch a movie…it is movie time for our family. Hope this encourages you that a simple person can study God’s Word and learn to understand what God says. I am just a 40 yo sahm, homeschool mom, 20+ Christian – a child of God that loves Him with all my heart.
yes I do believe in angels. i truly believe that there are angels watching over each of my children and grandchild and i truly believe that one of them is constantly challenged and exhausted. here is one particularly trying time for that guardian angel…and for us as well.
http://adventuresinjuggling.wordpress.com/2005/02/23/2-23-2001/