Light of The World Today
What Jesus, Hezekiah and the early church teach us about asking for heaven's help.
"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53 NIV
Many believers ask, how do I activate angels when I need them? The answer might surprise you. The Bible never tells us to. It does not give us a method for commanding angels, and it never shows believers praying to them. What it does show, again and again, is people calling on God, and God sending help as his response.
Even Jesus Said, Call My Father
In Gethsemane, when soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus said he could call on his Father and receive more than twelve legions of angels. A Roman legion was a unit of thousands of soldiers, so this was an enormous force. Notice the words. Call on my Father. Even Jesus did not command angels himself. He looked to the Father. And notice that he chose not to ask, because in verse 54 the Scriptures had to be fulfilled. Asking includes surrendering to God's purposes.
The Pattern in Scripture
When Hezekiah faced an Assyrian army, he spread the threatening letter before the Lord and prayed (2 Kings 19:14 to 19). That night an angel acted. When Peter was in prison, Acts 12:5 says the church was earnestly praying to God for him, and an angel came. When Daniel prayed, an angel responded to his words (Daniel 10:12). In each case the prayer went to God, and God sent the angel.
"Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Colossians 2:18 in the NIV also warns against anyone who delights in the worship of angels. We should neither pray to them nor go looking for angelic experiences. We look to God.
Four Steps to Ask for Help the Right Way
1. Come to God directly. Hebrews 4:16 invites you to come boldly to the throne. You do not need a go between.
2. Ask in line with his word. First John 5:14 in the NKJV says that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Find a promise in Scripture that fits your situation and pray it.
3. Pray with others. The church in Acts 12 prayed together. Ask one trusted friend or your family to join you.
4. Leave the outcome with him. Jesus prayed in Matthew 26:39, yet not as I will, but as you will. Ask boldly, then trust the Father's wisdom.
How to Apply This Today
Pray immediately in trouble. You do not need long words. A simple prayer such as, Lord, help me, is enough. Psalm 50:15 says call on me in the day of trouble.
Pair a promise with your request. Write your request next to a verse that fits it, and pray both together.
Invite someone to pray with you this week about a real need.
Conclusion
The Bible's pattern is simple. We call on the Father, and he sends help in his way and time. Part 8 closes the series with how to recognise true messengers from false ones, and how to treat strangers.
Memory Verse
"Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
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Key scriptures: Matthew 26:39 and 53 NIV, 2 Kings 19:14 to 19, Acts 12:5, Daniel 10:12 NIV, Hebrews 4:16 NLT, Colossians 2:18 NIV, 1 John 5:14 NKJV, Psalm 50:15 NIV, Psalm 91:15 NIV.