Spiritual Wellness
They are traditionally viewed as "guardians" that protect our homes and children, but are angels still active today?
For millions of Christians around the world, the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that sacred Scripture usually called "angels" is a truth of faith. Angels are defined as the highest beings in the scale of creation. They are described as personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures. They are messengers of God and beings who do not have a physical body. As evangelist Billy Graham explains, "God created the angels before the beginning of time, and they had one purpose: to be God's servants."
Elsewhere in the Bible, angels are described as spirits. Their work consists in the worship of God and in the service of humanity. They are depicted frequently in television shows, movies and books. They are pinned to our lapels and hang from our rear-view mirrors. They are traditionally viewed as "guardians" that protect our homes and children, but are angels still active today?
Far from being sweet figurines, angels are powerful beings used by God to work in the world, in our lives and the lives of others. There has been an increased interest in angels in the modern world, and there are many reports of angelic appearances. In 1998, a spike in the fascination with angels was capitalized on by the debut of the movie, City of Angels. In the film, these mystical creatures routinely move among the earthly mortals in Los Angeles where they listen to people's thoughts, observe their lives, and guide them to the next world when they die. The angels are discouraged from direct human contact; however, one angel must decide if love is more important than eternal peace.
In the Bible, angels appear to people in unpredictable and various ways. If someone casually reads scripture, a person might get the idea that angelic appearances are somewhat common, but that is not the case. The first appearance of angels in the Bible is when Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). The next angelic appearance is about 1900 years later by Hagar, an Egyptian servant (Genesis 16:7). Later, Mary receives a visit from an angel who tells her that she will be the mother of the Messiah, and Joseph is warned by an angel to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect them from Herod's edict (Matthew 2:13). Though biblical visitations appear to be more staggered in their time table, today's sightings of angelic beings seem to occur with an apparent regularity.??Since the launch of the website Angels Online in 1994, the site has evolved into a popular reservoir of stories about extraordinary experiences submitted by people from every walk of life all around the world. The stories detail angel encounters, spiritual awakenings, self-discoveries, and healing miracles. From guardian visitations to guardian rescues, visions, miracles and dreams, the site offers an array of inspirational stories that help to produce a renewed sense of hope and spiritual strength. The accounts are told in the contributors own word and they offer spiritual insight, not only in the lives of the authors, but also in the lives of friends, family, and those who visit the site. Contributors believe that stories of angels and messengers are very powerful and often helpful for human-folk to get through life's challenges. The contemporary stories are moving and healing for those who feel that they have been fortunate enough to have a super-natural visitation.
According to leaders of angel-related organizations and business, angels are turning up with increasing frequency, and people are more receptive to the phenomenon of the heavenly beings than ever before. Millions of people around the world continue to believe that angels exist, and that they are still active everywhere in today's society.
Spiritual Prayer
I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:
“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong.We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill.Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear, open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”