Thoughts: I once went to Cuba to visit and encourage the Presbyterian churches there. I got to speak to the head of a voodoo church there ("African religion" they called it). He spoke of the difference between the African animalistic religion and Christianity and was convinced that he had chosen the best of both worlds. He was convinced that we are too low to approach the Almighty God, so we must use intermediate spirits- angels (or demi-gods)- to link up to Him. Some of this still exists in those who think that they must pray to the saints in order to get to God. But this is a false humility.
It is true that we are dead in our sins- but God makes us alive to Him (regeneration). Through Jesus, our only needed mediary, we can approach God in prayer-in His name and for His sake. The cross bridges the gap between us and God.
Several times in scripture good angels refuse to be worshiped (Rev. 19:10; 22:9). Only Satan- the evil angel asked Jesus to worship Him (Mt. 4:9)- and Jesus answered by saying to worship God alone (Mt. 4:10). Hebrews 1 tells us that Jesus is greater than the angels- who are ministering spirits sent to serve believers (1:14). There are about 300 references to angels in the Bible. It is clear that part of the angelic duty is to bring glory and worship and praise to God (so they sang Gloria in excelsis Deo at Christ's birth). Interestingly in our secular culture there has been a huge rise in attention to angels (someone said one in every ten songs has a mention of an angel), and Time and Newsweek have had articles about them in the last few years. But good angels are not mediate spiritual beings- but only different spiritual beings that serve God by serving us.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for allowing me to approach you with confidence because of Jesus.
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