ANGELS AND INTERCESSION
While the Bible does not explicitly state that angels intercede for
humans in the same manner as Christ or the Holy Spirit, certain
passages suggest that angels are involved in presenting or
conveying human prayers to God. Bible verse that some people
interpret as showing angels delivering a message from humans to
God (i.e., acting as messengers in reverse direction — from man to
God instead of God to man).
💬 Verses Sometimes Interpreted This Way:
1. Revelation 8:3–4
“Another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer,
and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the
saints... and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the
saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”
The angel offers incense and prayers together, so some think the
angel is presenting prayers from humans to God.
But this does not mean the angel delivered the message. More
likely, it's a symbolic act showing God is pleased to receive the
saints' prayers — with angelic involvement, not dependence on
angels.
2. Daniel 10:12–13
“...from the first day that you set your heart to understand... your
words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.”
The angel (probably Gabriel) says he was sent by God in response
to Daniel's prayer.
Some claim this means the prayer caused the angel to act, but it
clearly shows God sends the angel, not the other way around.
3. Genesis 18:20–22
“Then the LORD said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and
Gomorrah is great...’”
Some theologians suggest the “outcry” could be from humans or
even angels, somehow delivered to [Link] this is
poetic/figurative; it does not show an angel carrying a verbal
message from man to God.
Here are some key scriptures often cited in discussions about
angelic intercession:
📖 Revelation 8:3–4 – Angel Presenting Prayers
"And another angel came and stood at the altar
with a golden censer, and he was given much
incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints
on the golden altar before the throne, and the
smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the
saints, rose before God from the hand of the
angel."Patheos+[Link]+2National
Catholic Register+2
This passage depicts an angel offering incense alongside the
prayers of the saints, symbolizing the presentation of these
prayers to God.
📖 Zechariah 1:12–13 – Angel Interceding for Jerusalem
"Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of
hosts, how long will you have no mercy on
Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which
you have been angry these seventy years?' And
the LORD answered gracious and comforting
words to the angel who talked with me."Bible
Hub+2National Catholic Register+2EOTCMK+2
Here, the angel of the LORD appeals to God on behalf of
Jerusalem, and God responds with comforting words,
indicating a form of intercession.
📖 Tobit 12:15 – Raphael Presenting Prayers
"I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who
present the prayers of the saints and enter into
the presence of the glory of the Holy
One."[Link]+1Patheos+1
In this deuterocanonical book, accepted in Catholic and
Orthodox traditions, the angel Raphael states that he
presents the prayers of the saints to God. Catholic Answers
📖 Job 33:23–24 – Mediating Angel…………..1:6
"If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of
the thousand, to declare to man what is right for
him, and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver
him from going down into the pit; I have found a
ransom.'"Catholic Answers
This passage suggests the role of an angel as a mediator
who intercedes on behalf of a person to prevent their
downfall.
📖 Genesis 48:16 – Angel Blessing
"The angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
bless the boys; and in them let my name be
carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham
and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in
the midst of the earth."
Jacob refers to an angel who has delivered him from harm
and invokes this angel's blessing upon his grandsons.
📖 Zechariah 3:1–2 – Angel Rebuking Satan
"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest
standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan
standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the
LORD said to Satan, 'The LORD rebuke you, O
Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem
rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the
fire?'"St. [Link]
In this vision, the angel of the LORD defends Joshua against
Satan's accusations, illustrating a protective and
intercessory role. St. [Link]+1National Catholic
Register+1
📖 Hebrews 1:14 – Angels as Ministering Spirits
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to
serve for the sake of those who are to inherit
salvation?"Patheos+[Link]+3St.
[Link]+3
This verse describes angels as servants sent to aid those
who will receive salvation, implying their supportive role in
the spiritual lives of believers.
📖 Daniel 12:1, 7:10 luke 1:19, hebrew 1;12
Summary:
While the Bible does not explicitly state that angels
intercede for humans in the same way Christ or the Holy
Spirit does, these passages suggest that angels play a role
in presenting human prayers to God and acting on behalf of
individuals. The extent and nature of this intercession are
interpreted differently across various Christian traditions.
