Angels are a popular part of culture. There have been countless books, TV shows, and movies about angels. Human beings have been fascinated by them long before our modern forms of entertainment and story-telling. However, what do we really know about angels?
The one place to learn more is the Bible because it mentions a variety of angels doing a variety of things. One instance is in Matthew 4:11 - Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus (NLT). Here we see that angels took care of the Savior after He resisted satan in the wilderness. There isn't much detail on what this entailed but we gain some understanding via Hebrews 1:14 which states, What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation (GNT).
We see that angels are God's servants whom He sends to assist people. And all over the Bible, they performed this role, doing God's will for those He sent them to. He dispatched angels to Abraham, Gideon, Samson's parents, the parents of John the Baptist, and so many others. In some cases, angels provided prophecy and wisdom. In others, they showed up to give immediate and practical assistance to individuals such as when an angel was sent to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:5-7. There, the prophet was in mental, physical, and spiritual distress but an angel brought him food, restoring his strength.
In the case of Daniel, an angel entered the den with him to shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:22). His enemies had schemed to have him unjustly thrown into the lion's den because they were jealous of his success. The Lord saved Daniel, while the conspirators, and their families, were thrown into the same den where they were eaten.
Notice that the people God sent His angels to were not wicked people. These were individuals who sought to live by God's rules and not the ways of the world. They were far from perfect but the fear of the Lord guided them. And God, in His mercy and patience, allowed them to encounter His agents.
Also, be aware that no single angel encouraged or permitted any human to pray to or worship them. They always stopped such from happening and instructed humans to serve and worship God instead. They never permitted idolatry. The only 'angel' who sought glory for himself was Lucifer and the result was that he was evicted from heaven and made less than nothing by God.
Angels play a crucial role in the work God is doing here on earth. Let us all be careful to not diminish or dismiss their part in the Lord's kingdom work. Instead, having learned of their significance, let us pray that we will be like those whom God sent His angels to. We must open our Bibles to study the types of people who experienced angels and strive to be more like them so we can also enjoy the benefits of heavenly assistance when we call out for it.
Come back for P&P at Noon EST when we shall praise the Lord, pray for others, then plead with God to send us angelic help. See you then!
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You once again for making it possible for us to meet for an hour of fellowship. We are grateful for this grace and thank You.
Lord, You taught us today that Your angelic help is available. Help us, Lord to walk with You, for when we are living for You, Your angelic help appears even without us praying for it. Still, hear our cries for angelic help as we navigate the issues of life that seek to challenge us. Move in unprecedented ways, we pray, IJMN, Amen.
I pray over Your people who participated today and those who will, the following - May they be occupied with gladness of heart, IJN, Amen.
Take all the glory, my King.
God bless you all and keep you.
From AW - Good morning/afternoon Peppers! Please keep my daddy uplifted in prayer. He is getting ready to be wheeled in surgery. The procedure isn’t complicated, but the anesthesiologist is concerned about his heart. They have to do a lot of prep. I’m at the hospital right now with him. I’ll check in later, though it will probably be after P&P is over. Love y’all!
ETA - I forgot about the time difference! I’m in PST.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Folks, if you don't think you 'qualify' to receive angelic assistance, today is the day to fix that perspective.
Christ came to this earth and died just to reconcile you to the Father in Heaven. The blood of Jesus was shed to purify and redeem you so that you are exactly the sort of person who receives angelic help. But, you have to repent and believe that Jesus is God's Son. You have to want Him to be your Lord and Savior, meaning you submit to His instructions.
So we're going to repent for depriving God of the glory in our lives, then we'll call on Jesus to become our Lord and Savior. Then we'll ask God to send that angelic help to solve whatever problems we face.
Shall we?
Glorious God, thank You for being the God who cares about me even when I haven't cared enough about my physical and spiritual state. I am sorry for not doing better and not living in a manner that consistently glorifies You. Please forgive me for depriving You of the glory and honor You always deserve.
Father, I believe Jesus is Your Son and the only way to eternal life with You. I submit to His rulership and therefore Your rulership of my life. Please cleanse and redeem me by Your grace.
Now Lord, having repented and acknowledged Your Son and Yourself, I cry out to You about the problems I'm experiencing. Please God, I need Your help and ask for Your angels to step into this issue and solve it. I'm not strong enough and have thought I could do things my way but now, I know that You have agents ready and able to assist me and I want that help. Break all protocols for my benefit Lord and help me always, IJMN Amen.
As you've prayed, please remember that you've committed yourself to God. This means He will change you so you become more like Him and less like your old self - your Before Christ (BC) self. The Lord will help you if you let Him, so please read your Bible to learn. And I pray for you that you will experience angels moving things as God has dictated for you. Amen.
God bless you.
Lord, when the kings of Aram and Israel gathered at the gate of Jerusalem to attack it, You told King Ahaz to take a deep breath. You declared that Jerusalem would be safe. You called his opponents smoldering firewood. This, despite, the king being able to hear the army at his gates.
Father, I pray that we Your children will never become smoldering firewood but will remain threshing tools for Your use here on the earth and beyond it. That we will be vessels for Your kingdom's purpose and plan.
Thank You for speaking Your word regarding the wicked. Your word shall surely come to pass without delay. As was the case for the enemies of Jerusalem who were gone in no time, so shall it be for every enemy that thinks it can contend with Your own, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, praise be unto You, Jehovah Sabaoth. The God of the Heavenly Hosts.
Father, I come against witchcraft in the lives of the members of this fellowship and their families I speak against every attempt to control, destroy and ensnare with such arts, IJMN, Amen. I know satan's modus operandi is to steal, kill and destroy the glorious destinies of Your people by enticing them with slickly-packaged, deceptive messaging that blurs the lines between what is godly and what You have specifically forbidden Your people to get entangled with.
Nevertheless, I thank You, Father, for You are He who has all dominion (Daniel 4:34-35). You are the Sovereign Lord. And no matter what satan's desires are, no matter how much it flexes and roars, it is Your purpose and plan that shall be fulfilled to the last letter (Isaiah 14:24 & 27). Hallelujah!
I therefore pronounce Your word upon these wicked practitioners of witchcraft, necromancy, and other dark arts. As they are used against your people, Ezekiel 11:21 applies. Repay them, Lord, as promised in Jeremiah 16:18. Let Your word in Isaiah 45:16 be thoroughly fulfilled for them. Hit them with the mighty blows of Your arm, oh Lord (Isaiah 30:32).
Thank You for Your word that satan itself is less than nothing and those who choose it are detestable and nothing just as the power source they rely upon (Isaiah 41:24 & 29). Expose them, Father. Drag them out, pull them down and bring them to ruins, Lord.
For the Kingdom of God is of power not about talk (1 Corinthians 4:20). Oh my God. I look forward to seeing the fulfillment of this prayer pronounced to Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen. Let me see what will happen to who will stand against You, my Lord.
From JIR - I would like to pray for atheists and agnostics to be given a mustard seed of faith, so that mustard seed grows into a tree of faith in You Lord. Nothing is impossible with You in the midst. I pray that they rebuke their unbelief and they come to the realization that without You they and everything around them would fail to exist. Please bless them to humble themselves and open their hearts to hear Your calling Lord. I pray that they fall to their knees and ask You for forgiveness. I pray that they seek You Lord, they call on You Lord and they give their lives over to You Lord. IJMN. Amen
From JIR - Please Lord look over all widows and orphans. Please turn their mourning and sorrow into joy and happiness. Please bless them with the strength and courage to keep pushing through and bless them with the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Please touch their hearts Lord to turn to You and rely on You for strength and guidance. IJMN. Amen.
God, You are the Alpha and Omega. The One who has eternal dominion over all.
Father, You sent angels to help people all over the Bible in different ways. Till this day, You dispatch angels to transform people's lives.
As such, I call on You my God to send Your angels to individuals. May people receive such help. Elisha told his servant that those who were with them were more than those who stood against them (2 Kings 6).
Send Your horses and chariots of fire, filled with angels, to stand for Your people. May Your angels rout every enemy and overcome satan's plans with decisive force and heavenly victory, IJMN Amen.
From BAB - I would love to know more about the angel and archangels as well. I think they are fascinating.
PRAYER TIME
Angels serve the Lord by doing things for those He sends them to.
Right now, we too shall serve God by praying for His people.
Please focus on the needs of others and not yourself as that is what we are called to do in P&P. It is a sacrifice but the rewards will be worth it.
Excellent Papa, You alone are worthy to be glorified forevermore. Please accept my praise and worship.
May my words and the appreciation in my heart rise as a sweet-smelling incense that pleases You, my King.
To You be all the praise, IJN Amen.
My God, I saw You move people for my loved ones in a way that wouldn't have made sense if not for the prayers that were said.
I see You working, Lord and I want to acknowledge Your faithfulness. You are my prayer-answering God. You move us forward by Your grace. You silence the opposition and ensure that Your word comes to pass.
Thank You marvelous God. I am too grateful.
From JIR - “Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; And as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, Who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, And in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms: And he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; And shall say, Destroy them.”
Deuteronomy 33:25-27 KJV
From JIR - Thank You Lord for moving in my family’s lives the way only You can do. You are the Way Maker, the Miracle Worker and I thank You for drawing the majority of family to You little by little each day. I see the change in them and I thank You for answering my prayers and moving them to be more comfortable with worshipping and glorifying Your name! IJMN! Amen.
You are the God who keeps His word!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the testimony sis @Jesus Is Real gave about her mom's recent mammogram.
You said she would be just fine and so she is. Thank You for giving her cause to praise you. Thank You that we can join Your daughter in happiness for proving the devil false.
She is well because You are God and said nothing is wrong with her. We give You all the glory!
From JIR - Thank You Lord for the remarkable blessing that You bestowed upon my family and I yesterday. Thank You for answering my prayers and giving my mom a favorable mammogram result. You are so kind, merciful and loving. You would never give us more than we can handle. You are the God who is faithful and unwavering. Those who put their faith and trust in You will never fall short. Thank You Lord for being my God, my redeemer and my Savior. I love You Lord. I submit myself to You Lord. You are the greatest love I could ask for. Thank You Lord! IJMN. Amen.
Father, I want to thank You for my family. Thank You for surrounding me with love and care.
Thank You that I see Your hand in our lives and affairs. I am truly grateful.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for your unfailing love. We thank You for always being there for us. We depend on You and we trust in You. You are our Rock. We give thanks for being there for us to lean on when we are weary. We thank You for loving us so much as to carry our burdens for us. You are our strength and we are nothing without You. Thank You Lord for Your grace and mercy and for leading us on the paths of righteousness for Your namesake. IJMN. Amen.
PRAISE TIME
The angels are singing "You are worthy, oh Lord."
If they know what time it is then we need to get with the program and sing our praises to God.
Let's do just that over the next 25 minutes.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for breathing life into us this morning and blessing us to reconvene for P&P fellowship today. Through Your grace and mercy we are blessed to see another day and we thank You for guiding us in here to praise You and pray for others. Thank You Lord! IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message @FFJ. This message is a reminder for me not to take the Lord’s angels for granted. I admit that I tend to forget the role God’s angels play in our lives. Their significance is certainly vital and is something to always remember. I pray that we never minimize the role of God’s angels and we all mirror the actions of those in the Bible who were blessed to experience the protection and assistance of God’s angels. IJMN. Amen.