The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”
Acts 10:4
Yesterday we covered one way we can position ourselves to get angelic help: by speaking God’s Word. Today let’s go to Acts chapter 10 to discover another way.
In this story, a soldier named Cornelius was visited by an angel of God. This is a very interesting portion of scripture because the angel told Cornelius that he had built a memorial before God through his giving and his prayers.
A memorial is something we build to remember. We have memorials built for those who have given their lives for our freedom so that we never forget their sacrifice. This angel was telling Cornelius that God would never forget his prayers and what he had given to help others.
In the Book of Revelation we read picturesque descriptions of how the prayers of God’s people are before God (Revelations 5:8, 8:3–4). My grandma passed away a long time ago, but the prayers she prayed for her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids never expire. We can pray for our future family that has not yet been born and know that those prayers remain effective forever!
In your prayer time, claim God’s promises! You can pray for the friends and family you have today, and you can also pray for those to come in the future. If you’re not married, pray for your future spouse. Pray for future kids or grandchildren and their future spouses. The effects of your prayers transcend space and time. Start by claiming Psalm 91: 11–12 today: “Thank you Father for commanding your angels to guard me and my family in all our ways!”
Read more devotionals on Angels!
December 1: The Truth about Angels
December 2: Angels: In Awe of God
December 3: Angels: What do they do?
December 4: Angels Fight on our Behalf
December 5: Angels all Around You
December 6: Angels Aren’t Always Obvious
December 7: New Look at Angels
December 8: What do Angels Respond to?
December 9: Angels Obey God’s Word