Prayer is an important part of Christian life, and it is a way to communicate with God. The Bible teaches us to pray to God and to seek His will. Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him. They are mentioned throughout the Bible, and they are often seen as messengers from God. So, does the Bible promote or prohibit praying to angels? From an evangelical Christian perspective, the Bible does not promote praying to angels (Colossians 2:18).
The Bible teaches us to pray to God and to seek His will (Matthew 6:9). Prayer is an act of worship and a way to communicate with God. It is a way to express our love, gratitude, and dependence on God. Prayer is a way to ask God for guidance and to seek His will in our lives. We can also use prayer to thank God for His blessings and to ask Him for help in times of need (Philippians 4:6-7).
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him (Psalm 103:20). They are mentioned throughout the Bible, and they are often seen as messengers from God (Hebrews 1:14). Angels are powerful beings, and they are often used by God to deliver His messages and to carry out His will (Daniel 10:13). They are also used to protect and guide people (Psalm 91:11-12).
The Bible does not promote praying to angels. In fact, the Bible specifically warns against it. In Colossians 2:18, Paul warns against worshipping angels: “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you.” This verse clearly shows that the Bible does not promote praying to angels. In addition, the Bible teaches us to pray directly to God. In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us to pray to God: “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” This verse shows that the Bible teaches us to pray directly to God, and not to angels (John 4:24).
The Bible does not promote praying to angels. In fact, the Bible gives us several reasons why we should not pray to angels.
1. Jesus’ Model Prayer
The first reason why we should not pray to angels is that Jesus gave us a model prayer to follow. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught us to pray to God the Father, saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus’ model prayer does not include praying to angels.
2. Jesus’ Request for Blessing
Another reason why we should not pray to angels is that Jesus asked us to pray for blessings from God the Father. In John 16:23-24, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” Jesus’ request for blessings does not include praying to angels.
3. Jesus’ Intercession
A third reason why we should not pray to angels is that Jesus is our intercessor. In 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul wrote, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the only mediator between God and mankind, so we should not pray to angels.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:17Beings
Finally, we should not pray to angels because of what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray continually.” Paul did not say to pray to angels, but to pray continually to God because only God is everywhere all the time. Angles are not.
A. Angels are Created Beings
The Bible makes it clear that angels are created beings. In Colossians 1:16, Paul writes, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Here, Paul includes angels in the category of “all things” that were created by God. As such, angels are not to be given the glory and honor that belongs to God alone.
B. Jesus is the Only Mediator
The Bible also makes it clear that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. In 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul writes, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” This verse makes it clear that Jesus is the only one who can mediate between God and man. Angels are not given this role, and they are not to be prayed to.
C. Angels are Not Worthy of Worship
Finally, the Bible makes it clear that angels are not to be worshipped. In Revelation 19:10, John writes, “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!’” Here, an angel explicitly tells John not to worship him, but to worship God instead. This is a clear indication that angels are not to be worshipped, and that prayer should be directed to God alone.
A. Paul’s Warning in Colossians 2:18<.b>
The apostle Paul warned the Colossians against the practice of praying to angels in Colossians 2:18: “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.” Paul is warning the Colossians against the false teachers who were promoting the worship of angels.
B. Jesus’ Warning in Matthew 4:10
Jesus also warned against the practice of praying to angels. In Matthew 4:10, Jesus said, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Jesus is clearly telling us that we are to worship God and serve Him alone. We are not to pray to angels.
A. Angels Are Not to Be Worshiped
The Bible is clear that angels are not to be worshiped. In Revelation 19:10, we are told, “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This verse is telling us that we are to worship God and not angels.
B. Angels Are Not Our Mediators
The Bible also tells us that angels are not our mediators. In 1 Timothy 2:5, we are told, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” This verse is telling us that Jesus is the only mediator between God and mankind. We are not to pray to angels.
The Bible is clear that we should pray to God and not to angels. In the Old Testament, God commanded that we should not worship any other gods (Exodus 20:3). In the New Testament, Jesus taught us to pray to God the Father (Matthew 6:9). The Bible also tells us that angels are created beings and are not to be worshiped (Revelation 22:8-9).
I. God is the Only One Who Can Answer Prayers
God is the only one who can answer our prayers. He is the only one who is all-knowing and all-powerful. He knows our needs before we even ask (Matthew 6:8). He is able to do all things and can answer our prayers according to His will (Ephesians 3:20).
God is also the only one who can forgive our sins (1 John 1:9). He is the only one who can give us eternal life (John 3:16). He is the only one who can give us hope and strength in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
2. God is Worthy of Worship
God is worthy of our worship and praise. He is the Creator of the universe and all that is in it (Genesis 1:1). He is the one who sustains us and gives us life (Psalm 36:9). He is the one who loves us and desires to have a relationship with us (John 3:16). He is the one who is worthy of our worship and praise (Psalm 95:6).
3. God is All-Powerful
God is all-powerful and can do anything. He is the one who can bring healing and restoration (Psalm 103:3). He is the one who can give us wisdom and understanding (James 1:5). He is the one who can provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). He is the one who can give us peace and joy (John 16:33).
God is the only one who can answer our prayers and give us what we need. He is worthy of our worship and praise. He is all-powerful and can do anything. Therefore, we should always pray to God and not to angels.
The Bible is clear on the issue of praying to angels. It is a practice that is prohibited and not to be done.
| Argument | Biblical Evidence |
|---|---|
| Jesus' Model Prayer | Matthew 6:9-13 |
| Jesus' Request for Blessings | Matthew 6:14-15 |
| Jesus' Intercession | Hebrews 7:25 |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:17 | 1 Thessalonians 5:17 |
| Angels are Created Beings | Psalm 148:2-5 |
| Jesus is the Only Mediator | 1 Timothy 2:5 |
| Angels are Not Worthy of Worship | Revelation 19:10 |
| Paul's Warning in Colossians 2:18 | Colossians 2:18 |
| Jesus' Warning in Matthew 4:10 | Matthew 4:10 |
| God is the Only One Who Can Answer Prayers | Jeremiah 33:3 |
| God is Worthy of Worship | Psalm 96:4-5 |
| God is All-Powerful | Revelation 19:6 |