Angels – The Presidential Prayer Team

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. – Psalm 91:11

In Luke 4:9-12, Satan quoted from Psalm 91 when tempting Jesus to prove Himself the Son of God by jumping off the temple pinnacle. Jesus resisted the temptation by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, saying not to test God. Likewise, believers are not to take unnecessary risks, believing God’s angels will rescue them. However, God does send angelic help in response to prayer. Two outstanding examples can be found in Daniel 10 and in Acts 12.

In Daniel 10, Daniel fasted and prayed for his people. An angel appeared and told him that God had heard him three weeks prior, but he was delayed by demonic forces. The archangel Michael assisted him. The angel greatly encouraged Daniel before he prophesied.

In Acts 12, Peter was arrested and most likely would have been killed like John’s brother James was. But many believers gathered at Mary’s house and prayed. An angel set him free, walking with him through the city gate, which opened by itself. After the angel had gone, Peter knocked on the door where the believers were staying. The servant girl Rhoda was so excited that she forgot to let him in.

At times, God does send messages, rescue, and protection through angels. In these two cases, there were periods of prayer and fasting. God calls His people to intercede concerning these troubled times with prayer and fasting. As you pray, ask for God’s will to be done. Ask Him to protect His people and provide a way of escape for those being persecuted for His name. Pray for peace where there is civil unrest and war. Perhaps He will send His angels.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 91:11

For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 1

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

⁵For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

⁶And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

⁷Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,
    and his ministers a flame of fire.”

⁸But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

¹⁰And,

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
¹¹they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment,
¹²like a robe you will roll them up,
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
    and your years will have no end.”

¹³And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

¹⁴Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?