An important lesson from Sayadaw Nandasiddhi

In the Ratana Sutta, it is stated

Whatever spirits have gathered here,
 — on the earth, in the sky — 
may you all be happy
& listen intently to what I say.

Thus, spirits, you should all be attentive.
Show kindness to the human race.
Day & night they give offerings,
so, being heedful, protect them.

This raises a few questions...

A. does this imply that Buddhists can appeal to devas for help in worldly problems?

B. does it imply that Buddhists when facing worldly problems pray like in other religions to Devas, desperately beseeching help?

Ans: the Ratana Sutta states the virtues of the Triple Gems. It states the Truth, and after that, it makes the wish for people to be free from suffering at Vesali.

Devas/gods/spirits/angels are a kind of beings. When we associate with them, one can think of it as the same way as one’s association with a powerful human being like a king or high government official. However one Must remember that such a relationship is not for liberation from Samsara. The Buddhist's ultimate goal is liberation, total liberation from all states of existence.

Among the Buddha’s Teaching, there are many teachings for the benefit of mundane affairs. In this sutta, there is a call to remind the Devas not to forget to help the people who make offerings to them.

If Devas become our friends, they are able to help us within their ability and power just as our friends would in the human realm. They only can help in mundane affairs and worldly happiness.

But what if one did not bring offerings ...

Ans: If one does not bring offerings, nothing will happen from it. We have to accept the results according to our good or bad Kamma. When the good Kamma produces the result there is no problem at all. But when the bad Kamma produces its result, we have to suffer. It is then when we desperately wish to seek help from others.

We all have both good and bad Kamma because we commit lots of action in our life or past countless lives. In this sutta, Ven Ananda and the Sangha encourage the Devas not to forget to look after the friends who makes offerings to them.

Here offering and praying is different. Offering is giving something, praying is wishing for what they want.

B. What offerings?

Ans: These offerings depend on people's cultural and religious concepts. The Chinese offer to Devas incense, food and whatever that in their minds they think the Devas will need.

In Buddhism, We offer our merits to the Devas.

We invite the Devas to come and participate in our wholesome religious acts, to listen to the Dhamma and guide us in our sasana work.
The sharing of our merits is the best way to make friends with the Devas. Devas and petas want merits because in their realms it is difficult to obtain merit.

While devas like to have merit, they do not need material things.

The petas like both for they also need material offerings.

That's why with wisdom, we can make proper offerings to Devas.

D. Can the Devas "guard us" or guide us?

Ans: Yes, they could help us in limited situations within their ability. In the SN, we learn that even the Devas pay respect to humans who keep their precepts well and are virtuous.

E. How does a Buddhist walking well in the meditative path relate to this segment of the Ratana sutta?

Ans: The Devas have no ability to help in the development of insight knowledge in Meditation. They however could help one to escape from danger or disturbances whether in the forest or the city.

The Buddha is Teacher to both gods and human.. "Sattha deva-manussanam", many Devas recall the Buddha and His Teachings and support the sasana.

In summary, what is offered is the Invitation to Devas to listen to Suttas, the sharing of Merits and radiating of Metta to them. When one is virtuous, the Devas are respectful to you and will help you within their abilities.