Very few Christians would doubt the existence of angels. The Bible records an abundance of verses about angels–using terms such as “legions” or “thousand thousands” to describe their number. Additionally, angels comprise one of the ten categories of theology studied by ministry leaders and Bible school students alike. But while the existence of angels is rarely–if ever–questioned by serious scholars, what isn’t so clear is the role angels play in our lives today. What do angels do? Can angels act on our behalf? Do angels have any authority? Specifically, can we pray to angels and ask them to help us?
As always, the best place to begin when determining any answer that pertains to life or the things of God is to look to the Bible—
What the Bible says
One of the greatest gifts of Christ’s time on earth–in addition to His purchase of ultimate salvation on our behalf–is the practical example He left for us to follow. And one of the things we get to witness from His example is how and to Whom He prayed while He inhabited His earthly body.
For example, when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He replied, “Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). Surely if there were other acceptable options, He would have included them here. At least 12 times in Scripture we see Christ praying, and in each instance when the Bible identifies the One to Whom Christ prays, it is always His Father.
In case an argument could be made that Christ had greater or better access to God–leaving mere mortals the need to address angels for help–Scripture gives us an example of a believer who attempted to pray to angels.
In the book of Revelation an angel reveals important news about the future to John, and what was his response? In his words, “And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God” (Revelation 22:8-9).
In this single passage we see two helpful things–angels identify as fellow servants, and angels desire that we address our worship to God alone.
Bottom line: When Christ prayed, He only and always addressed His prayer to the Father. When John attempted to fall at an angel’s feet, he was chastised.
What the Bible does not say
Often what is not said in Scripture is as helpful as what is said.
Though angels have a distinct and important role throughout the Bible, we never see any indication that they have any power to redeem, glorify, or sanctify us. The Bible never indicates that angels have the authority or attributes belonging to God.
Some believers espouse and teach that we are free to pray to angels, asking them to work on our behalf. To be certain, the Bible never condones this idea. And, in fact, many practical reasons should give us pause. First, when angels appeared in Scripture, they were always delivering a message or fulfilling an assignment–never acting on their own initiative, unless, of course, the angel in the situation was demonic. Second, praying to an angel would–by nature of prayer itself–place the angel in authority to make decisions. In case there is any doubt, God says plainly in His Word–
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5).
Notice what it does not say? Scripture simply does not condone praying to anyone but God.
Bottom line: It does not make sense–when we have direct access to God, and we are invited to pray without ceasing–that we would direct our prayer to anyone with less control or power to change our present or future circumstances.
Should Christians pray to angels?
Plain and simply, Christians should not pray to angels. And if time only allowed one reason, it would be this: Prayer is ultimately an act of worship–in which we cast our cares and concerns at the feet of our Father–and all of our worship belongs only and always to God. Any act of worship given to anyone not God is idolatry and should be swiftly and wholeheartedly rejected by those who love Him.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
