A Prayer about Understanding Angels

 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3

Holy God,

We admit, our understanding of angels 

comes far more from cartoons and collectibles 

than from the descriptions in your Word. 

Throughout Scripture, angels appear to be 

fierce, supernatural, and otherworldly 

(the seraphim praising your name in Isaiah 6:3 have six wings!). 

Angels are your messengers 

(the word angel even means messenger) (Ex. 3; Judges 6:11-17); Luke 1:26-38) 

and your worshipers (Is. 6:3; Rev. 5:12; Rev. 1:6). 

People often tremble when they see angels, 

so we know they probably don’t look like fat-cheeked babies with fluffy wings. 

You send your angels to protect humans (Mt. 18:10) 

and to “serve those who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14). 

Angels will join Jesus when he returns to establish

the new heavens and the new earth (Mt. 16:27; Mark 8:38). 

Angels do communicate your might and your mercy, 

but Jesus is far superior to the angels (Heb. 1:4). 

Lord, may we never worship angels, 

who indeed worship Christ. 

Lord, may we marvel 

that you created us different from the angels, 

in your image, 

with your glory, 

with a physical body 

that will be raised when Jesus returns.

Lord, how we look forward to worshiping you 

alongside the angels in eternity. 

In Jesus’ superior name. Amen. 

Read Hebrews 1.