Demons and the believer

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

We are to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This is accomplished by donning the whole armour of God, which is truth, righteousness, supporting the propagation of the Gospel, faith, our salvation, and the anointed Spirit-directed speaking of the Word. This is helped by (and largely takes place during) the praying and supplicating for all saints, said prayers being prayed "in the Spirit". And especially for Paul (and by extension all other preachers) that they might be empowered by God to boldly proclaim the Word at all times and every where.

The reason all this is needed is because "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. This is not talking about demons, but magistrates, religious leaders, religious ideas, secular persecuting governments and mass antichristian hysteria. The context of the verse you asked about is not about demons, but apostolic preaching and propagation of the Gospel in the midst of a hostile secular environment.

Powers and principalities are secular governments and magistrates:

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Paul is saying our warfare or contest is not a physical contest like a typical wrestling match, but an ideological, spiritual war against the powers that be, which are magisterial positions (government positions, whether secular or religious) which are occupied and dominated by wickedness. As he says also here:

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

We do not war according to the flesh (in the power or might of mere flesh, as unregenerate men) but our weapons are Divine and are designed to: pull down strongholds ( a metaphor taken from siege warfare, a stronghold is a fortress or castle) which strongholds are "imaginations... every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God... every disobedient thought". Biblical spiritual warfare is not about demons or anything else star wars related, it is all about the conflict of worldviews between God's Word and Truth on the one hand, and the darkened imaginations of unregenerate, rebellious, sinful society on the other hand.

Since we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, and since the weapons of our warfare are designed to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ while tearing down every imagination and disobedient thought, etc, it follows that our wrestling against powers and principalities has to do with ideological conflict between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of unregenerate man. See Daniel 2 for a bird's eye view of that conflict in prophecy.

Isaias, you are correct on the meaning of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 in that a part of spiritual warfare is to tear down antichrist philosophies, teachings, and religions. However, where I take issue is on two points.

First, I do not see where the NT mandates that Christians subvert government authorities through the preaching of the Gospel, nor do I see any bent towards a politicized authority that gives men power over the masses. Satan is slick. He will get our focus on attaining natural authority over the nations, knowing that it's an exercise in futility until Christ returns. We are to tear down antichrist philosophies, teachings, and religious notions within the lives of individuals who are seeking truth, and in the body of Christ to keep her doctrinally pure. We are the Kingdom of God. A spiritual kingdom. A spiritual people. I believe that we will always be a minority and strangers in a strange land in this world. That is, until Christ returns.

Second, I take issue with the following statement:

Biblical spiritual warfare is not about demons or anything else star wars related, it is all about the conflict of worldviews between God's Word and Truth on the one hand, and the darkened imaginations of unregenerate, rebellious, sinful society on the other hand.

You had a good thing going in your approach, until you made the above statement. You see, while you were right about 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, you jumped to an extreme and created a false dichotomy. An "either/or" false hood. The reality is... both aspects of spiritual warfare are in play. We cannot ignore the philosophical war or the spiritual war. These are two very real fronts in our warfare.

Jesus said:

Mark 16:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Here we see signs that follow the true believers. The very first thing mentioned is, the casting out of devils. For 3 1/2 years Jesus trained the disciples. Let's take a look at an instance of spiritual warfare under Christ's own direction.

Matthew 10:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Jesus gave His disciples POWER and AUTHORITY over specific things. In Matthew 10:7-8 those things are:

- the healing of the sick
- cleansing of the lepers
- the raising of the dead
- the casting out of demons

These disciples went forth KNOWING that it was the Lord's will that they exercise power and authority in these areas. They didn't go forth pleading and begging Jesus to answer their prayers in these areas. Nor did they go forth passively assuming that God would just do it for them. Nor did they dismiss the casting out of demons as being merely "Charismatic showmanship". They went forth knowing that they were indeed empowered, equipped, and commissioned to heal and deliver the spiritually possessed and oppressed. They were not thinking too highly of themselves. Nor were they thinking that in some way they were twisting God's arm to move on their behalf. They were COMISSIONED to do these things. They were ordered to use the power of God in these areas. They were deputized to use both authority and power in these areas.

In Luke 10:19 Jesus focuses in on the seventy and gives them supernatural power and authority to wage spiritual warfare against evil spirits. We read:

Luke 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Here, we see Jesus granting power in specific areas. These are:

- Power to tread on serpents and scorpions (evil spirits)
- Power to break curses, hexes, generational curses, evil constructs, deceptions, etc. and all power of the enemy
- Powerful protection from all spiritual attack and opposition.

Remember, the seventy were amazed that they were granted such authority and power:

Luke 10:17
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

While the greatest thing is to rejoice over being saved, their amazement illustrates that they did indeed have the power to do the things Jesus specifically asked them to do. They didn't go out begging for Him to heal or remove a demon, they spoke healing and cast out the devil themselves.

This is power granted to the believer to use and employ. We don't have to beg that God banish demons that are behind sickness, oppression, curses, deceptions, demonic plots, or possession. We have been given this authority to release the power to uproot, bind, and cast out all evil spirits and over all the power of the enemy.

When a soldier is issued a weapon and deployed for war, that soldier has the orders to use that weapon within the parameters given to accomplish the mission. We are like soldiers. We have been issued authority and power through the Holy Spirit to release the power of God within the parameters of the mission. As long as we release the power of God to accomplish what is within the parameters of the mission, we can be assured that the power will yield the results our Lord said it would. In Mark 16 Jesus clearly explains what is to be expected in the wake of believers:

Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Here we see that the signs following true believers are:

- Casting out devils.
- Speaking in new tongues.
- Uprooting spiritual strongholds (taking up serpents, treading on scorpions).
- Divine protection from harm.
- The healing of the sick.

We shouldn't question if we have the power and authority to do that which is commanded of us by God.

When it comes to spiritual warfare, we have the power and the authority imparted to us by Jesus Himself. And in this, we are more than conquerors.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Aquila]

Another important element concerning spiritual warfare is that one must be grounded in the faith. One must understand the essential doctrines that will uphold one in the midst of spiritual warfare. Paul wrote:

Ephesians 6:11-17
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

What Paul has written here can be elaborated upon, and entire libraries written about it from various angles. But, I like to keep it simple. Spiritual warfare for the Christian requires that one must be grounded in the following doctrines which serve as our "spiritual armor":

1.) Salvation = Knowing that you are a child of God.
2.) Righteousness = Knowing that you stand in Christ's righteousness and not your own.
3.) Truth = Knowing that Christ is Lord.
4.) Word of God = Knowing the authority of Scripture.
5.) Faith = Reliance upon God and His Word.
6.) Gospel Commission = Knowing we are called and commissioned to advance the Kingdom of God with all spiritual authority delegated by Christ Himself.

It's important to remember that the battlefield of our warfare is in the mind. Satan will whisper lies into your spirit, your inner man, and these surface as thoughts that seem like they are your own. Just as if I said, "Red Ball", the image of a red ball pops into your mind, so too do the lies of the enemy. The enemy will attack your mind by questioning your very salvation, casting doubt on rather you are a child of God or not. Being grounded in the doctrines of salvation gives you the assurance to defeat this lie. Satan, through his demonic hoards, will attack your heart and throw accusations and accuse you by bringing up your past, your weaknesses, the sins you struggle with, your character flaws, and your imperfections to cast doubt on your worthiness to bind and cast him out. Being grounded in the knowledge that you stand in Christ's righteousness and not your own will give you the assurance to defeat this lie. Satan will attempt to unravel your armor by attempting to cast doubt on if what you have learned is truth. Just as the belt of the centurion's armor held the armor together, so too does the reality of knowing the truth. By being grounded in knowing the that this Gospel is the truth, you can have the assurance to defeat this lie. The sword of the spirit, the Word of God, is the only offensive weapon in your armor. Knowing the Scriptures and what they teach can feat any and every lie of the enemy, not only in your life, but the lives of others. When confronted with the enemies lies and temptations, you can quote the Word of God with assurance to defeat these lies. Satan will also use what limited power he has to bring trials into your life that eat away at and seek to crush your faith and resolve. Being grounded in child like faith and trust is a shield that will allow you to overcome these trials and defeat the intentions of Satan. Satan will also attack your commission. When you seek to take a step forward into the will of God, or into spiritual combat, Satan knows that if you have the other parts of your armor, he can try to strike at your ankles in the hopes of bringing you down. He will question your commission. "Are you really called to do this?" "Are you really granted the authority to bind and cast me out?" "Is this really your job, why not call the pastor?" But you are called to advance, step by step, spreading the Gospel of peace. You have been commissioned and granted all authority over the power of the enemy. By being grounded in this truth you can defeat these lies of the enemy. This is your ARMOR. Being grounded in these truths will bring you assured victory over all the powers of Hell.

You also have the gifts of the Spirit to assist you in your warfare and in advancing the kingdom of God. These can be found in I Corinthians 12:7-11. I believe we can pray and enter into the flow of these gifts, as God wills to reveal their availability. These gifts are:

Word of Wisdom - Divine wisdom or insight about a situation that is delivered straight from the mind and heart of God.

Word of Knowledge - The impartation of knowledge pertaining to a specific person, situation, or chain of events (past, present, or future) that the gift holder could not have known by any natural means.

Discernment of Spirits - The ability to supernaturally know the motive of a human spirit or the presence and nature of spiritual beings (human, angel, demon).

Gift of Faith - The impartation of supernatural faith that defies all logic in a given, seemingly hopeless, situation, or circumstance.

Gifts of Healing - The impartation of the power to heal various maladies in the body, soul, and/or spirit.

Gift of Miracles - The impartation of the power to pray and have prayers answered, even if the outcome requires supernatural means that defy the laws of nature and likelihood.

Gift of Tongues - The impartation of the ability to speak a message directly from God "in the Spirit" or to supernaturally "pray in the Spirit".

Gift of Interpretation of Tongues - The impartation of the ability to "interpret" (not translate) unknown tongues spoken under the "Gift of Tongues" before listeners.

Gift of Prophesy - The impartation of the ability to speak a message directly from God concerning the future or a present spiritual reality or situation confronting the church or a people ("Thus saith the LORD...").

These gifts are to empower all of us to overcome the snares and whiles of the enemy. They are also to minister healing and life to those into our lives. They reveal God's power and God's glory when they are manifested and in this, they testify to Jesus being Lord. Each gift can be used in many different ways when manifest. They are primarily used in preaching and teaching to confirm the Word of God and the power of God. However, they are also used in warfare, especially the gift of Discernment of Spirits. This gift empowers you to discern if a spiritual attack is real or not. It can also be used to reveal the nature of the spiritual attack and the spirits involved. Remember, you have to be grounded in the armor of God. When this gift is in operation Satan will tell you lies. He will whisper into your spirit, "That's just your imagination!" Oh really? This is why I like to worship and praise God in the face of spiritual warfare, it infuriates the enemy and he will typically make himself known, leaving no doubt that what you are dealing with is truly of a spiritual nature. A Word of Wisdom or a Word of Knowledge can open someone's eyes to the reality of this warfare, and the truth of the Gospel, especially if you are engaging spirits on their behalf.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Aquila]

Another powerful element of spiritual warfare is pleading the blood of Christ and the name of Jesus. We know that through the blood of Jesus we have atonement and propitiation which makes all these things available to us. In addition, we know that through the power and authority of the name of Jesus demons tremble and are cast out.

But how does this happen? What are the spiritual mechanics of this "pleading the blood" business???

Remember when I used the “red ball” example in a previous post? I hope you remember it. To revisit this example briefly, if I were to say to you, “Red ball” the image of a red ball instantly comes to mind. This is a powerful understanding of the power of the spoken word and how we can actually implant a thought in one’s consciousness using the spoken word. Now, with this understanding, try to imagine what happens in the mind of a demonic spirit when you say, “I plead the blood of Jesus!” What image, what reality, what event did you just create in the mind of that spirit? When an evil spirit contemplates, thinks of, or is confronted with the reality of the blood of Jesus… it experiences torment and agony because you call to mind the very cross of Calvary. You are forcing it to think of the crucifixion and the atoning work of Jesus. Such a thing is too pure and holy for that demon to comfortably imagine. What transpired on Calvary assured the defeat and sealed the fate of the wicked and every demonic spirit. In one fell swoop you are filling the very mind of that demon spirit with an image so holy, so terrifying, it cannot bear it. You are reminding it of its eternal destiny in Hell. You are calling to mind a horror beyond words for this spirit. Just whisper, “The blood of Jesus is against you.”, and you will torment the mind of any evil spirit you’re confronting. They cannot withstand this torment. They will often become irrational and belligerent because of the torment this very thought provokes. They may also become submissive and plead for mercy, just to try and make you stop.

Did you know??? You can test spiritual oppression or possession by invoking the blood of Jesus. Some rather dedicated saints of God become “uneasy” at the thought of the blood or even pleading the blood. Why? The blood of Jesus is the most precious and holy thing one can ever imagine. Why would it possibly make a sincere born again believer so uneasy? Why do some even become argumentative in their effort to silence calling to mind the shed blood of Christ Jesus? I’ll tell you…an evil spirit is present in their lives. They are actually picking up on its uneasiness or anger at the thought of the blood and they don’t realize it. They think these thoughts are their own, but they aren’t. I had a man who seemed like a very solid Christian who became so enraged I thought he was going to hurt me after I had pled the blood of Jesus in prayer. Oh, he didn’t just go off, but he approached me intellectually wanting to argue about why there is no “biblical warrant” to speak of or call to mind the blood of Jesus when praying over someone struggling with a spirit. I told him that I politely disagreed. He became more forceful with his argument until I looked him in the eyes and said, “The blood of Jesus.” Then he became so enraged I thought he was going to punch me! LOL Friends, that’s a spirit. Be very weary of anyone who is uneasy at the thought of the blood.

Think of it this way, by calling the blood of Jesus to mind, you are allowing it to speak with regards to your circumstance while in warfare:

Hebrews 12:24
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

By pleading the blood of Jesus, you are overcoming the enemy through the blood of Christ Jesus:

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The name of Jesus works much the same way. It calls to mind He who conquered death and has all authority and power. The very thought of the glorified Christ Jesus torments the minds of evil spirits. Through the very reality behind the name, demon spirits will flee in horror when confronted with a saint of God with steadfast faith in the power of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. It calls to mind all that Christ is, who Christ is, all that Christ has done, His victory, and His authority, and the judgment He will bring. The very power of God is also released through the authority of the name. And so every device of the enemy is rendered broken and shattered. It is through the name that every gift flows. It is through the name that men are saved. It is through the name that sins are forgiven. It is through the name that we have authority to command evil spirits to be cast out. And so to call this reality to mind will quickly send spirits fleeing.

TO BE CONTINUED...

[Aquila]

The last element of spiritual warfare I wish to mention is the ministry of angels. The ministry of angels includes, but is not limited to, the following:

They praise God (Psalm 148:1, 2; Isaiah 6:3).
They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).
They rejoice in what God does (Job 38:6-7).
They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).
They appear before God (Job 1:6; Job 2:1).
They protect God's elect (Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Psalm 34:7).
They are instruments of God's judgments (Revelation 7:1; Revelation 8:2).
They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10).
They serve the redeemed (Hebrews 1:14).
They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3).
They preach the gospel (Revelation 14:6).
They have a degree of control over the natural elements (Revelation 7:1).
They observe and defend Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; I Corinthians 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).
They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23, 24).
They carry the souls of the righteous to Heaven after death (Luke 16:22).
They encourage and strengthen those experiencing trial (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43 )
They engage evil spiritual forces who oppose us and our prayers (Daniel 10:3; Daniel 10:13)

Angels can be called upon to respond in regards to protection, bringing judgment, bringing answers to prayer, assisting in winning people to Christ, affecting the natural elements, defending the Christian work, to offer encouragement to the weary, in carrying the souls of the redeemed to Heaven, and to engage unseen spiritual forces we might be unaware of. So, if you feel impressed by the Holy Spirit to call upon angels to assist you, do so.

More can be said about the ministry of angels. In fact, entire books could be written about many of the things I’ve briefly touched upon.

[Aquila]

So, while spiritual warfare is tearing down antichrist philosophies in the lives of others and that creep into the church. Spiritual warfare is also very much about spiritually engaging demonic principalities and powers. It is both.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The last element of spiritual warfare I wish to mention is the ministry of angels. The ministry of angels includes, but is not limited to, the following:

They praise God (Psalm 148:1, 2; Isaiah 6:3).
They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).
They rejoice in what God does (Job 38:6-7).
They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).
They appear before God (Job 1:6; Job 2:1).
They protect God's elect (Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Psalm 34:7).
They are instruments of God's judgments (Revelation 7:1; Revelation 8:2).
They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10).
They serve the redeemed (Hebrews 1:14).
They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3).
They preach the gospel (Revelation 14:6).
They have a degree of control over the natural elements (Revelation 7:1).
They observe and defend Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; I Corinthians 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).
They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23, 24).
They carry the souls of the righteous to Heaven after death (Luke 16:22).
They encourage and strengthen those experiencing trial (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43 )
They engage evil spiritual forces who oppose us and our prayers (Daniel 10:3; Daniel 10:13)

Angels can be called upon to respond in regards to protection, bringing judgment, bringing answers to prayer, assisting in winning people to Christ, affecting the natural elements, defending the Christian work, to offer encouragement to the weary, in carrying the souls of the redeemed to Heaven, and to engage unseen spiritual forces we might be unaware of. So, if you feel impressed by the Holy Spirit to call upon angels to assist you, do so.

More can be said about the ministry of angels. In fact, entire books could be written about many of the things I’ve briefly touched upon. The point is… we can use Halloween to revisit the truths of spiritual warfare, the reality of evil, and our victory in Christ. Why give Satan a day of his own? It belongs to Jesus.

is there a new testament example of people calling on angels, praying to angels, or asking angels to intercede?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

is there a new testament example of people calling on angels, praying to angels, or asking angels to intercede?

I do not believe we see anyone praying to angels, or asking angels to intercede. What we do see are occasional interactions and communication with angels. From Mary speaking to Gabriel to John speaking to the angels in Revelation, we do see communication between man and angel. Scripture is given as an example of what to do and what to expect regarding the spiritual. If we see how angels came and ministered to people, or if angels are said to war on our behalf, or if angels deliver divine messages, throughout the Scriptures, it isn't out of order to pray to experience and/or expect the same in our lives? I don't think so. And so, it becomes an "applied" theological position as opposed to a "demonstrated" theological position.

Here's an example of another "applied" theological understanding, and I know that many will disagree with me, but that's fine with me. In the book of Acts we read about how aprons and handkerchiefs that Paul wore and handled while working were brought to the sick, possessed, and demonized... and they were healed and delivered. Here's the account:

Acts 19:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

What we see here is that residual power and anointing were upon these cloths after having been in contact with Paul's body. We see the same residual power in Elisha's bones, in the OT. When a dead man was cast into a grave, he touched Elisha's bones and instantly he was raised back to life. We also see how a woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of Christ's garment and He perceived that "virtue (power) had gone out of him". It is based on a spiritual understanding of the principles in play that people have come to believe in "prayer cloths". And, we do see evidence for prayer cloths being used at least once. And many testimonies abound regarding prayer cloths. So, that is "demonstrated" theology. Now, an "applied" theological position would ask...must it only be "cloths"??? Can one pray over a loved one's chair, Teddy Bear, car, pillow, and even water and the power and anointing of the prayer be imbued upon the object or substance in question? Scripture states that this event was a special miracle. However, is it special in that it we should only expect to see such a miracle in Scripture and not in our lives? Or are these miracles special in that for the first time, it was seen through the use of cloths...and can actually be experienced in innumerable ways? It will depend one's own understanding as to how they handle the issue. But I hope you can see the difference between a "demonstrated" application of principle and the expansive notion of "applied" application of a given principle in multifaceted ways.

Now, back to angels...

The Scriptures state:

Hebrews 1:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Angels are ministering spirits. They serve the elect. That is their primary purpose, that is their charge. It therefore isn't out of order to pray that God send forth angels to minister in various ways in various circumstances. Is it required? No. Is it prohibited? No.

So, what determines such a petition in prayer?

The Holy Spirit.

While it isn't often, there have been times in prayer wherein I've felt the Spirit impress upon me to pray for ministering angels to minister to individuals. How can they minister to us? Well, let's look at the ministry they have in Scripture:

They praise God (Psalm 148:1, 2; Isaiah 6:3).
They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).
They rejoice in what God does (Job 38:6-7).
They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).
They appear before God (Job 1:6; Job 2:1).
They protect God's elect (Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Psalm 34:7).
They are instruments of God's judgments (Revelation 7:1; Revelation 8:2).
They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10).
They serve the redeemed (Hebrews 1:14).
They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3).
They preach the gospel (Revelation 14:6).
They have a degree of control over the natural elements (Revelation 7:1).
They observe and defend Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; I Corinthians 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).
They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23, 24).
They carry the souls of the righteous to Heaven after death (Luke 16:22).
They encourage and strengthen those experiencing trial (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43 )
They engage evil spiritual forces who oppose us and our prayers (Daniel 10:3; Daniel 10:13)

Let's look at how angels ministered to Jesus. After the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus had overcome the enemy, and angels came and "ministered" to Him.

Matthew 4:11
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Jesus was no doubt weary. He hadn't eaten in 40 days. And, He had just undergone a psycho/spiritual assault from Satan himself. There is no doubt that Jesus was exhausted, perhaps emotionally weary, and spiritually drained. It is at this point that we see angels coming to "minister" to Jesus. How did they minister to Him? Well, it doesn't say. But there are many possibilities. Perhaps they brought Jesus food and water. Perhaps they only came and spoke words of worship, adoration, and encouragement into His spirit. We simply aren't told. But I have a hunch in my spirit that these angels praised Him, worshipped Him, adored Him, and encouraged Him. And I believe that their ministry in these areas helped strengthen Jesus so that He might get upon His feet and embark on His 3 1/2 year ministry on earth.

Now, let's apply this to our lives. Would it be so out of order to pray that God send angels to minister to the soul of a saint of God who is weary and discouraged? Knowing that angels protect the elect, would it be so out of order to pray that God send angels to protect a beloved family who is perhaps traveling and will be in dangerous areas? I think not.

Now, I know there are other opinions on this. But, these are my thoughts based on my understanding.

[Esaias]

[Aquila]

The point is that while some would like to totally politicize the Gospel into strictly a socio-political movement to "Christianize" a culture... biblical Christianity is spiritual. We see more in Scripture involving salvation, miracles, healing, and deliverance from demonic spirits than we do efforts to "Christianize" Rome. And historically speaking, we see where that understanding took us. Enter... the Holy Roman Empire.

Keep the church pure (opposing antichrist imaginations).
Oppose demonic forces (engaging demonic spirits in spiritual warfare).

It's actually that simple.

[Esaias]

What's simple is that you are THE.LAST.PERSON anyone needs to be taking advice from on spiritual matters:

Originally Posted by Aquila

I know. It's strange.

Hinduism is a strange animal. It seems to be polytheistic... but every deva is a manifestation of Brahman, the ultimate reality, so it shifts to being monotheistic. While the more simple Hindu believer regards their "gods" as personal entities, Hinduism also allows for their sacred stories to be regarded as spiritualized allegories of a sacred science. I had once read an article wherein a guru stated that Hindu practice, the primarily the mantras, focus on vibration, vibration that is believed to effect the natural world, seeing that everything at its sub-atomic level is a positive, negative, or neutral vibrational charge. And so, the ancient yogis explored how these mantric vibrations effected the body, level by level, and that understanding this process is more important than assigning theological definitions.

I remember back when I was in church, we'd have prayer meetings. And although I didn't know it was like a mantra at the time, me and many others would sit quietly repeating in lower tones, "Halleluiah, I love you Jesus", or just the name, "Jesus", over and over and over. I remember how the focus on God would clear my thoughts, and how the mere vibration of saying these things over and over seemed to sooth and calm my mind. It was like the vibrations produced by speaking these things resonated through my skull and massaged my brain. lol