{Addendum_5} WHY YOUR HEART KEEPS BEATING - Divine Encounters with God's Sustaining Power

Jan 12
27 min read

Updated: Jan 23

Chapter 11: The Bathroom Encounter - "His Heart Is Still Good"

"He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." — Psalm 107:20 (NASB)

The healing happened in the most ordinary place: my bathroom.

I wasn't in a church service with worship music playing and hands laid on me. I wasn't at a healing crusade with a famous evangelist. I wasn't even praying specifically for healing.

I was just washing up, getting ready to obey God's command to clean my apartment.

And that's when Gabriel healed my heart.

This chapter tells the story of that miraculous encounter—what happened, how it felt, and what it reveals about God's desire to heal His people.

The Morning of the Healing

It was several days before the vision of hell. I had been sleeping excessively for weeks, barely able to function, too tired to clean or do basic household tasks.

Then God spoke to me: "Go clean."

It was a clear, direct command. Not a suggestion. Not a gentle nudge. A command.

So I got up, despite feeling exhausted, and went to my bathroom to wash up before starting the cleaning.

As I stood at the sink, splashing water on my face, trying to wake up and gather enough energy to tackle the mess in my apartment, something supernatural happened.

The Surge

Suddenly, I felt something in my chest.

It wasn't pain. It was movement.

I felt blood that had been sitting still—pooled in chambers of my heart—suddenly start pumping.

It was like someone had turned a key and the engine roared to life. Like jump-starting a dead car battery. Like flipping a switch and electricity surging through wires that had been dark.

My heart jump-started.

I felt chambers that hadn't been contracting properly suddenly contract. I felt blood that had been stagnant suddenly flow. I felt energy that had been absent suddenly flood my body.

It was instantaneous. One moment I was exhausted; the next moment I had energy.

Real energy. Not just a temporary boost, but genuine, sustained vitality.

I immediately knew something supernatural had happened.

The Voice

At the exact moment my heart started pumping, I heard a voice say:

"His heart is still good."

It wasn't my voice. It wasn't my thoughts. It was a clear, audible (or spiritually audible) declaration spoken by someone else.

The tone was one of satisfaction and relief—like a mechanic checking an engine and saying, "This can still run. It's not beyond repair."

The voice was making a pronouncement: This heart is salvageable. It's still functional. It can still serve its purpose.

I looked in the mirror.

Seeing Gabriel

In the reflection, I saw him.

About ten feet behind me, standing in my bedroom, was the black angel I had glimpsed before but never fully understood.

He was:

Black like a shadow — not a dark color, but the absence of light itself
Human-sized — approximately six feet tall with a humanoid shape
Distinct features — two eyes, a mouth, but otherworldly characteristics like a sea creature
Smiling — his expression was joyful, pleased, victorious
Pointing at me — his hand was extended toward me, finger pointing

He was pointing at me and praying.

That's how I was healed. Gabriel, my guardian angel, was standing behind me, pointing his finger at my heart, and praying to God for my healing.

And God answered.

The Mechanics of the Healing

What exactly happened in that moment?

From a medical perspective:

The electrical impulses in my heart were restored
The sinoatrial node (the heart's pacemaker) started firing properly
The chambers of my heart began contracting in coordinated rhythm
Blood that had been pooled in weak chambers started circulating
Oxygen-rich blood flowed to my organs, muscles, and brain
My energy level increased immediately

From a spiritual perspective:

Gabriel prayed
God responded
The power of God touched my physical heart
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead gave life to my dying organ
A miracle occurred

Romans 8:11 says: "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

The Holy Spirit gave life to my mortal body. Gabriel was the instrument, but God was the Healer.

Why Gabriel Pointed

The image of Gabriel pointing at me while praying is significant.

In Scripture, pointing often represents:

Identification — "This is the one"
Declaration — "Let this be done"
Direction — "Let power flow here"

Gabriel was identifying me to God and directing divine power to my specific need: my failing heart.

Luke 11:20 records Jesus saying: "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

The "finger of God" represents His direct, powerful intervention. Gabriel's finger pointing at me was like a conduit for God's healing power.

The Energy That Followed

The change was immediate and dramatic.

Before the healing:

I could barely get out of bed
Simple tasks were exhausting
I needed naps after minimal activity
I had no motivation

After the healing:

I had energy to clean all night
I could complete tasks without needing rest
My mind was clear and focused
I felt alive again

The energy didn't fade. It wasn't a temporary surge followed by a crash. It was sustained, real, permanent.

From that day forward, I haven't had the same excessive sleepiness. My heart has continued to beat properly. The energy has remained.

That's how you know a healing is from God: it lasts.

The Timing of God

The timing of this healing was perfect:

1. It happened before the vision. If my heart had still been weak when I experienced the vision of hell, the stress might have killed me. God healed me first so I could endure what was coming.

2. It happened when I obeyed. God told me to go clean, and I obeyed despite being exhausted. As I was preparing to obey, He healed me and gave me the strength to complete the task.

3. It happened when Cardioclear7 arrived. The natural supplement I had ordered arrived the same day as the supernatural healing. God coordinated both.

4. It happened before I turned 55. God renewed my strength before I entered a new decade of life, demonstrating that He can reverse the effects of aging.

God's timing is never random. It's always strategic, purposeful, and perfect.

Angels and Healing

This experience taught me that angels are involved in healing.

We often think of healing as coming directly from God or through the laying on of hands by believers. But Scripture shows that angels also minister healing:

John 5:2-4 (in some manuscripts) describes an angel troubling the waters of the pool of Bethesda, and whoever stepped in first was healed.

Acts 12:23 records an angel striking Herod with a fatal illness (the reverse of healing, but showing angels can affect physical health).

Revelation 22:2 describes the leaves of the tree of life being "for the healing of the nations," and angels are present around the throne where that tree grows.

Psalm 103:20 calls angels "mighty in strength, who perform His word."

Angels perform God's word—and God's word includes healing.

Gabriel performed God's word in my bathroom. He prayed, God answered, and I was healed.

The Connection to the Vision

I didn't understand at the time why God healed my heart in the bathroom. I was grateful, but I didn't see the bigger picture.

But after the vision of hell, God explained:

He wanted to show me why my heart keeps beating.

The healing demonstrated that God is the One who keeps our hearts beating. Scientists can't explain the electrical impulse that starts and sustains the heartbeat. But God showed me the answer: He sustains it through His power, often mediated through angels.

My heart didn't just "happen" to start working again. It wasn't random biological recovery. It was a deliberate, divine intervention orchestrated by God and carried out by Gabriel.

That's why every heart beats. Not because of autonomous biological processes, but because God wills it to beat and empowers it to beat.

Psalm 104:29-30 — God Holds Life in His Hands

"You hide Your face, they are dismayed; You take away their spirit, they expire and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the ground." (Psalm 104:29-30)

God gives life. God sustains life. God takes away life.

When He hides His face, we die. When He sends forth His Spirit, we live.

My heart was dying. God sent Gabriel. Gabriel prayed. God sent His Spirit. My heart lived.

It's that simple and that profound.

The Danger I Didn't Know

I mentioned earlier that I might have died that week if God hadn't intervened.

Here's why:

Heart failure can lead to sudden cardiac death. If the heart's electrical system becomes too disrupted, it can go into arrhythmia (irregular rhythm) or even stop entirely.

People die in their sleep from heart attacks all the time. They go to bed feeling fine (or just tired) and never wake up.

That could have been me.

If Gabriel hadn't healed my heart, I might have:

Died in my sleep from heart failure
Had a heart attack during the vision (from the stress)
Collapsed while cleaning and never gotten up

But God had a plan.

He needed me alive to:

Receive the vision
Write this testimony
Witness to others
Fulfill my calling

So He sent Gabriel to heal me.

Job 33:23-30 — The Mediator Angel

There's a passage in Job that perfectly describes what Gabriel did for me:

"If there is an angel as mediator for him, one out of a thousand, to remind a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him, and to say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; let his flesh become fresher than in youth, let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, that he may see His face with joy, and He may restore His righteousness to man. He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, and it is not proper for me. He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, and my life shall see the light.'" (Job 33:23-28)

Notice the elements:

An angel as mediator — Gabriel
One out of a thousand — a special, assigned angel
Deliver him from going down to the pit — save him from death/hell
Let his flesh become fresher than in youth — restore health and vitality
He will pray to God — the angel prays for the person
God will accept him — God responds to the angel's prayer
Restore his righteousness — spiritual restoration
Redeemed from the pit — saved from death

This is exactly what happened to me. Gabriel was my mediator angel, one assigned specifically to me. He prayed for me to be delivered from death. God answered. My health was restored. I was saved from the pit.

The Prayer of an Angel

What does an angel's prayer sound like?

I don't know exactly what Gabriel prayed in that bathroom. But I imagine it went something like this:

"Father, this is Your servant. You have assignments for him still. His time is not yet finished. His heart is weakening, but it's still good—it can still serve. Send Your power. Restore the rhythm. Pump the blood. Give him strength. Deliver him from death. Let him fulfill his purpose. In the name of Jesus, let this heart live."

And God said, "Yes."

Revelation 8:3-4 — The Prayers of the Saints and Angels

"Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand." (Revelation 8:3-4)

Angels present our prayers to God, and they add their own intercession to ours.

Gabriel wasn't just a passive observer of my life—he was an active intercessor, bringing my need before God and praying for my healing.

That's part of angelic ministry: intercessory prayer on behalf of those they're assigned to guard.

The Energy to Clean

After the healing, I had energy I hadn't felt in weeks.

I started cleaning. And I didn't stop until everything was done—hours and hours of scrubbing, organizing, washing, and restoring order.

That energy came from a properly functioning heart pumping oxygen-rich blood to my muscles and brain.

But it also came from obedience. God told me to clean, I obeyed, He healed me, and I completed the task.

There's power in obedience.

When we obey God's commands—even when we don't feel like it, even when we're tired, even when it doesn't make sense—He empowers us to complete what He's called us to do.

Philippians 2:13 says: "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

God gives the desire (to will) and the ability (to work). He gave me the command to clean, the healing to enable it, and the strength to finish it.

The Lesson

This healing taught me several truths:

1. God heals in ordinary places. You don't need to be in a church service or a healing crusade. God can heal you in your bathroom, your bedroom, your car—anywhere.

2. Angels are involved in healing. Gabriel prayed, and God answered. Angels are active participants in our physical well-being.

3. Obedience unlocks blessing. I was healed as I was preparing to obey God's command to clean. Obedience positions us for God's power.

4. God's timing is perfect. The healing came exactly when I needed it—before the vision, before turning 55, when the supplement arrived.

5. God sustains life. My heart didn't heal itself. God healed it through Gabriel's prayer and His own power. He is the one who keeps our hearts beating.

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever experienced a healing that you knew was supernatural? What happened?
Read Job 33:23-30. What does it mean that angels can be "mediators" for us?
Why do you think God sometimes heals instantly and other times heals gradually (or not at all in this life)?
How does knowing that angels pray for us change your understanding of spiritual warfare and divine protection?
Is there an area of your life where you need to obey God even though you don't feel like you have the strength? What would it look like to obey and trust Him to provide the power?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for healing. Thank You that You care about our physical bodies as well as our souls. Thank You for assigning angels to pray for us and minister to us. Lord, if there are areas of my health that need Your touch, I ask You to heal me—whether instantly or gradually, through supernatural means or natural medicine. Give me the strength to obey You even when I'm tired. And help me to never take my heartbeat for granted, knowing that every beat is a gift from You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Chapter 12: The Divine Appointment - Cardioclear7 and God's Timing

"The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." — Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

The same day Gabriel healed my heart in the bathroom, a package arrived in the mail.

Cardioclear7—a heart health supplement I had ordered online several days earlier.

Coincidence?

No. Divine appointment.

This chapter explores how God orchestrates both supernatural and natural means to accomplish His purposes, and why His timing is always perfect.

The Prompting to Order

About a week before the healing, I felt a strong urge to do something about my health.

I didn't know my heart was failing. I just knew I felt terrible—exhausted, sluggish, weak. I thought maybe I needed vitamins or supplements.

I started researching online, and I came across Cardioclear7—a supplement designed to support cardiovascular health.

Something about it resonated with me. I felt a prompting to order it.

Was it just my own idea? Or was it the Holy Spirit guiding me?

Looking back, I know it was God. He was already putting pieces in place for my healing before I even knew I needed healing.

Proverbs 16:9 says: "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."

I thought I was just ordering a supplement. God was directing my steps toward healing.

The Timing of the Delivery

The package arrived on the exact day Gabriel healed my heart.

Think about that.

I ordered it days earlier. Shipping times vary. It could have arrived earlier or later.

But it arrived that specific day—the day my heart was supernaturally jump-started.

That's not random. That's divine orchestration.

God coordinated:

The prompting to order (days earlier)
The shipping timeline
Gabriel's healing prayer
The package arrival

All on the same day.

Why?

Because God wanted to demonstrate that He uses both supernatural and natural means to heal and sustain us.

2 Kings 20:1-7 — Hezekiah's Healing

This isn't the first time God has combined supernatural healing with natural remedies.

When King Hezekiah was sick unto death, the prophet Isaiah came and told him to prepare to die. Hezekiah prayed desperately, and God heard him:

"Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, 'I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.'"'" (2 Kings 20:4-5)

God promised to heal Hezekiah supernaturally. But then Isaiah gave a specific instruction:

"Then Isaiah said, 'Take a cake of figs.' And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered." (2 Kings 20:7)

Wait—figs? God was going to heal him supernaturally, so why use figs?

Because God often uses natural means in conjunction with supernatural power.

The figs were a natural remedy with medicinal properties. But the healing was still from God. The figs didn't heal Hezekiah; God healed Hezekiah through the figs.

The same principle applied to me: God healed my heart through Gabriel's prayer, and He provided Cardioclear7 to support ongoing heart health.

Why God Uses Natural Means

If God can heal instantly and miraculously, why bother with medicine, supplements, or doctors?

Several reasons:

1. To teach us to be wise stewards of our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

God expects us to take care of the bodies He's given us. That includes:

Eating healthy
Exercising
Getting rest
Taking appropriate medicine or supplements

Faith doesn't mean neglecting natural wisdom. It means combining faith with stewardship.

2. To demonstrate His sovereignty over all things—natural and supernatural.

God is Lord over:

Doctors and medicine
Herbs and supplements
Nutrition and exercise
Miracles and healings

He can use any means He chooses. When He uses both natural and supernatural means together, He's showing that He's not limited to one method.

3. To involve us in the healing process.

God could have healed me without Gabriel's prayer and without Cardioclear7. But by involving both, He invited participation:

Gabriel participated by praying
I participated by ordering the supplement and taking it

God loves to work through His creation, not just on His creation.

4. To provide ongoing support after the initial healing.

The supernatural healing was instant—my heart was jump-started in a moment. But Cardioclear7 provides ongoing support to keep my heart healthy.

God doesn't just give us momentary miracles; He provides sustained grace through both supernatural and natural means.

James 5:14-16 — Prayer and Anointing with Oil

James gives us a biblical model that combines spiritual and physical elements:

"Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:14-16)

Notice the combination:

Prayer (spiritual)
Anointing with oil (physical)
Faith (spiritual)
Confession (spiritual)
The result: healing (physical and spiritual)

Oil in biblical times had medicinal properties. It was used to treat wounds, soothe inflammation, and promote healing. But it was also a symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence and power.

James doesn't say, "Just pray and ignore medicine." He says, "Pray and anoint with oil."

Spiritual power and natural means working together.

That's what happened with me: Gabriel's prayer (spiritual) and Cardioclear7 (natural) working together.

What is Cardioclear7?

Cardioclear7 is a nutritional supplement designed to support cardiovascular health. It contains ingredients like:

L-citrulline (supports nitric oxide production for healthy blood flow)
Beetroot extract (supports blood pressure and circulation)
CoQ10 (supports heart muscle function)
Vitamins and minerals that support cardiovascular health

I'm not saying everyone needs this specific supplement. I'm sharing what God provided for me at the right time.

The point isn't the brand or the product—it's the principle: God uses natural means alongside supernatural power.

The Order of Events

Let me lay out the timeline to show God's perfect orchestration:

Week 1: I feel prompted to research heart health supplements. I order Cardioclear7 online.

Week 2: The package is in transit. I'm still exhausted, sleeping excessively, my heart weakening.

Day X (several days before the vision): The package arrives. That same morning, Gabriel heals my heart in the bathroom. I immediately have energy to obey God's command to clean.

Day X + 3: I clean my apartment all night, shower, and lie down to sleep. The vision of hell occurs.

Weeks after: I continue taking Cardioclear7 to support my now-healed heart. The energy remains. The excessive sleepiness doesn't return.

Every piece fell into place at exactly the right time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 — A Time for Everything

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

God's timing is appointed—planned, ordained, perfectly calibrated.

The healing didn't happen too early (before I had ordered the supplement) or too late (after my heart had completely failed). It happened at the exact right moment.

The supplement didn't arrive too early (when I wasn't ready to use it) or too late (after I was already dead). It arrived at the exact right moment.

That's how God works. He's never early, never late, always right on time.

The Lesson of Partnership

This experience taught me that God invites us to partner with Him in our own healing and well-being.

He could do everything supernaturally without our involvement. But instead, He:

Prompts us to make wise choices (ordering supplements, seeing doctors)
Empowers us to carry out those choices (giving me the money to order Cardioclear7)
Blesses our obedience with supernatural intervention (Gabriel's healing prayer)
Sustains the results through both ongoing grace and natural support (continued prayer and daily supplement)

We're not passive recipients of God's grace. We're active participants in partnership with Him.

Philippians 2:12-13 captures this balance: "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

We work (obedience, stewardship, action). God works in us (power, will, grace).

Both are true. Both are necessary.

The Danger of Extremes

There are two dangerous extremes when it comes to faith and healing:

Extreme 1: Rejecting all natural means in favor of "faith alone"

Some people believe that seeking medical help shows a lack of faith. They refuse doctors, medicine, and treatments, claiming that "God will heal" if you just believe hard enough.

This is unbiblical and dangerous.

God gave us:

Intelligence to develop medicine
Doctors with skill to treat illness
Natural remedies with healing properties

To reject these is not faith—it's presumption. It's like jumping off a building and expecting God to catch you just because you "have faith."

Jesus rebuked this kind of thinking when Satan tempted Him to jump off the temple: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:7).

Extreme 2: Rejecting all supernatural means in favor of "medicine alone"

Other people believe that prayer is nice but ultimately ineffective. They put all their trust in doctors and medicine, never asking God for healing, never believing He can intervene supernaturally.

This is also unbiblical and robs God of glory.

James 5:16 says: "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

Prayer works. God heals. Miracles happen.

To reject supernatural healing is to limit God and deny His power.

The Biblical Balance

The biblical balance is to use both:

Pray for healing and see a doctor
Trust God and take medicine
Believe in miracles and be a wise steward of your health

That's what I did. I ordered Cardioclear7 (natural stewardship). Gabriel prayed for me (supernatural intervention). God healed me (divine power). I continued taking the supplement (ongoing stewardship).

All of it worked together because God orchestrated it.

Providence: God's Hand in the Details

Theologians use the word providence to describe God's sovereign guidance and care over all things.

Proverbs 16:33 says: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."

Even something as random as casting lots is under God's control. How much more the details of our lives?

God's providence was evident in:

The prompting to research heart health
The discovery of Cardioclear7 specifically
The decision to order it
The shipping timeline
The delivery on the exact day of healing
The timing of the vision afterward
The writing of this book

Nothing was random. Everything was providential.

Romans 8:28 promises: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

All things—supernatural and natural, big and small, seen and unseen—work together for good.

The Testimony of God's Faithfulness

When I tell people this story, some are skeptical. "How do you know it was God? Maybe your heart just got better on its own. Maybe the supplement is what healed you."

But I know the difference between:

Gradual improvement from a supplement (which takes weeks)
Instant, supernatural healing (which happened in a moment)

My heart was jump-started before I even took the first dose of Cardioclear7. The supplement supported the healing, but it didn't cause the healing.

God caused the healing. Gabriel prayed. God answered. My heart was healed.

And I will testify to that truth for the rest of my life.

The Application for You

If you're facing a health crisis:

1. Pray. Ask God for healing. Believe He can and will intervene supernaturally.

2. Seek wise counsel. See a doctor. Get a diagnosis. Understand what's happening in your body.

3. Follow medical advice. Take prescribed medicine. Use recommended treatments.

4. Be open to natural remedies. Research supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle changes that support health.

5. Trust God's timing. He may heal you instantly, gradually, or in heaven. All three are valid expressions of His will.

6. Give God the glory. Whether He uses doctors or miracles (or both), acknowledge that all healing comes from Him.

Don't pit faith against medicine. Don't choose between prayer and action. Do both, trusting that God orchestrates all means for His purposes.

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever experienced God's timing in a way that seemed too perfect to be coincidence? What happened?
Do you tend toward one of the two extremes—trusting only in faith without action, or trusting only in medicine without prayer? How can you find balance?
Read 2 Kings 20:1-7. Why do you think God told Hezekiah to use figs when He could have healed him without them?
What does it mean to "partner" with God in your own health and well-being?
Is there an area of your health where you need to take action (see a doctor, start a supplement, change your diet) while also trusting God for healing?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your perfect timing in every detail of my life. Thank You that You use both supernatural power and natural means to accomplish Your purposes. Help me to be a wise steward of my health while also trusting in Your power to heal. Give me discernment to know when to act and when to wait, when to seek medical help and when to trust You for a miracle. And Lord, help me to give You glory for all healing, whether it comes through doctors, medicine, prayer, or miraculous intervention. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Chapter 13: Jump-Started by Prayer - Gabriel's Intercession

"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." — Hebrews 7:25 (NASB)

Prayer is not passive.

Prayer is not a religious formality or a comforting ritual. Prayer is powerful, effective, and world-changing.

When Gabriel prayed for my heart, it wasn't a gentle suggestion to God. It was intercession—standing in the gap between death and life, between sickness and health, between my need and God's power.

And God answered.

This chapter explores the power of intercessory prayer—both angelic and human—and what happens when prayers ascend to the throne of God.

The Moment of Intercession

Picture the scene again:

I'm standing at my bathroom sink, exhausted, preparing to obey God's command to clean. My heart is weak, pumping inefficiently, blood pooling in chambers that aren't contracting.

Behind me, invisible to my natural eyes but visible in the spiritual realm, stands Gabriel. He extends his hand, points his finger at me, and prays.

What did he pray?

I don't know the exact words, but I know the heart of the prayer:

"Father, heal this man. Restore his heart. Give him strength. He has assignments yet to fulfill. His time is not finished. Let his heart beat strong again. In Your power, let life flow through him."

And God, who always hears the prayers of His servants, responded immediately.

My heart jump-started. Blood that had been stagnant began to flow. Energy flooded my body. Life returned.

That's the power of prayer.

Romans 8:26-27 — The Spirit Intercedes

The Bible teaches that we have multiple intercessors:

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us: "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)

Jesus Christ intercedes for us: "Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us." (Romans 8:34)

And now I know from experience: Angels also intercede for us.

Gabriel prayed. The Holy Spirit agreed with that prayer. Jesus presented it to the Father. The Father answered.

That's a prayer heaven cannot ignore.

Revelation 8:3-4 — The Prayers of the Saints and Angels

The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into how prayers work in the heavenly realm:

Notice the process:

Saints on earth pray
Angels take those prayers
Angels add incense to them (making them fragrant and acceptable)
Angels present them to God on the golden altar
The prayers ascend to God like smoke

Angels don't just deliver our prayers—they participate in them, adding their own intercession to ours.

Gabriel wasn't just a passive observer of my need. He was an active intercessor, bringing my case before God and pleading for my healing.

What is Intercession?

The word "intercession" comes from Latin roots meaning "to go between" or "to intervene on behalf of another."

An intercessor stands in the gap between:

A person in need and God's provision
A sinner and God's mercy
A crisis and God's deliverance

Ezekiel 22:30 records God saying: "I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one."

God was looking for an intercessor—someone who would stand between the people and judgment, pleading for mercy.

Moses was such an intercessor. When God was ready to destroy Israel for worshiping the golden calf, Moses interceded:

"But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, and said, 'O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?... Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people.' So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people." (Exodus 32:11, 12, 14)

Moses stood in the gap. God relented.

That's the power of intercession.

Gabriel stood in the gap for me. He interceded. God responded.

Job 33:23-28 — The Mediator Angel

As I mentioned in an earlier chapter, Job 33 describes exactly what Gabriel did for me:

The angel serves as a mediator—one who stands between man and God, interceding for deliverance and healing.

Gabriel was that mediator for me. He said to God (in essence), "Deliver him from the pit. His heart is still good. Let his flesh be renewed. Let him live."

And God answered, "Yes."

The Authority of an Angel's Prayer

Why does God answer an angel's prayer?

Because angels:

Stand in the presence of God continually (Luke 1:19) — They have direct access to the throne
Are holy and sinless — Their prayers are pure, untainted by selfish motives
Perfectly align with God's will — They only pray what God desires
Have been assigned to specific people — Their prayers are targeted and purposeful

When Gabriel prayed for my heart, it wasn't a casual request. It was a formal intercession from an authorized agent of heaven, operating within his assignment, perfectly aligned with God's will.

God doesn't ignore such prayers.

James 5:16 — The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Man

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16)

The Greek word translated "effective" is energeō, from which we get the word "energy." It means energized, powerful, active, working.

Prayer that is energized by righteousness accomplishes much.

Gabriel is righteous (he's a holy angel). His prayer was energized by God's Spirit. It accomplished exactly what it was meant to accomplish: my healing.

But notice James says "a righteous man" can also pray such prayers.

Believers who walk in righteousness, confess their sins, and pray in faith can also pray energized, effective prayers that accomplish much.

You don't have to be an angel to pray powerfully. You just have to be righteous (right with God through Jesus) and faithful (trusting God to answer).

The Pointing Hand

I keep coming back to the image of Gabriel pointing at me while he prayed.

Why did he point?

In Scripture, hands represent:

Action — "The hand of the Lord was upon me" (Ezekiel 37:1)
Power — "With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm" (Deuteronomy 5:15)
Direction — "Your hand will guide me" (Psalm 139:10)
Touch — "He touched me" (Daniel 10:10)

Gabriel's pointing hand was:

Directing God's power toward my specific need
Identifying me as the one in need of healing
Touching me in the spiritual realm with God's healing presence

Luke 11:20 records Jesus saying: "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

The finger of God represents His direct, targeted intervention. Gabriel's finger pointing at me was like a conduit for God's power.

When he pointed and prayed, heaven's power flowed through him into me.

The Jump-Start Analogy

I described the healing as my heart being "jump-started" like a dead car battery.

That's exactly what it felt like:

Before: sluggish, no energy, barely functioning
The moment of prayer: a surge of power
After: full strength, running properly, sustained function

A car's battery stores electrical energy that powers the engine. When the battery dies, the car won't start. But if you connect jumper cables to a live power source, electricity flows into the dead battery, and the engine roars to life.

Gabriel was like the jumper cable connecting my dying heart to God's inexhaustible power source. The moment he prayed, divine electricity flowed into my physical heart, and it roared back to life.

Acts 17:28 — In Him We Live

Paul declared to the Athenians: "For in Him we live and move and exist." (Acts 17:28)

Our very existence is in Him—in God's power, by God's will, through God's sustaining grace.

Every heartbeat is proof that we live in Him. The moment He withdraws His power, we die.

Gabriel's prayer reconnected me to that power source. My heart had been disconnected (spiritually and physically). The prayer reconnected it. Life flowed. I lived.

Colossians 1:17 — In Him All Things Hold Together

Paul wrote about Jesus: "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)

The Greek word for "hold together" is synistēmi, meaning to cohere, to stand together, to continue existing.

Jesus holds all things together—including the rhythm of your heartbeat, the firing of your neurons, the functioning of your organs.

Without Him, we would literally fall apart at the molecular level.

Gabriel's prayer invoked that sustaining power. Jesus, who holds all things together, held my heart together and restored its function.

The Prayers We Don't Know About

How many times has Gabriel prayed for me without my knowledge?

How many dangers have I been spared because he interceded?

How many times has my health been sustained by his unseen prayers?

I'll never know this side of eternity.

But this one time, God allowed me to see and feel the intercession so I would know it's real.

2 Kings 6:17 records Elisha praying for his servant: "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.

God opened my eyes (in a sense) to see Gabriel praying and to feel the result of his intercession.

But I know this is happening all the time, whether I see it or not.

Angels are interceding for believers constantly. We just don't always perceive it.

The Call to Intercession

If angels intercede for us, how much more should we intercede for each other?

Paul repeatedly asked believers to pray for him:

"Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thessalonians 5:25)
"Pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me" (Ephesians 6:19)
"You also joining in helping us through your prayers" (2 Corinthians 1:11)

Paul—an apostle, miracle-worker, church-planter—needed the prayers of ordinary believers.

We all need intercession. And we're all called to intercede for others.

1 Timothy 2:1 commands: "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men."

Intercession is not optional. It's a primary responsibility of every believer.

Who are you interceding for?

Family members who don't know Jesus?
Friends facing health crises?
Leaders making critical decisions?
Nations in turmoil?
Persecuted believers?

Stand in the gap. Pray. Intercede.

Your prayers, energized by the Holy Spirit and presented by angels, accomplish much.

The Gratitude

I am profoundly grateful for Gabriel's intercession.

I didn't ask him to pray. I didn't even know he was there. But he prayed anyway because that's his assignment.

And because of his prayer, I'm alive today to write this book, to share this testimony, to witness to others, to fulfill God's calling on my life.

Thank you, Gabriel. Not worship—you wouldn't want that. But gratitude. Deep, sincere gratitude for your faithful service.

And thank You, Father, for assigning Gabriel to me. For hearing his prayer. For healing my heart. For sustaining my life.

Everything I am and everything I do from this moment forward is because You said "yes" to an angel's prayer in a bathroom one ordinary morning.

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever felt prompted to pray for someone and later discovered it was exactly when they needed it? What happened?
Read James 5:16. What makes a prayer "effective" or energized?
Who has been interceding for you—through prayer, support, or spiritual warfare—without you knowing it?
Is there someone God is calling you to intercede for right now? What step will you take?
How does knowing that angels intercede for you affect your view of prayer and spiritual warfare?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of intercession. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who intercedes for me with groanings too deep for words. Thank You for Jesus who continually intercedes at Your right hand. Thank You for angels like Gabriel who pray for me in ways I don't even see. Lord, make me an intercessor. Burden my heart for others. Teach me to stand in the gap. Give me faith to believe that my prayers, energized by Your Spirit, can accomplish much. And help me to never take for granted the prayers being offered on my behalf. In Jesus' name, Amen.