Angels are saints and heavenly beings who guide and protect, according to Christian tradition. But few Christians fully understand who angels are, what they do, and how to pray with them for God's work in the world.
Who Are Angels?
The word "angel" comes from the Greek "angelos," or "messenger." As messengers, Christians believe that angels bring people news of God's plans for them and for the world.
St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th century Dominican and Doctor of the Church, described angels as spiritual beings, eternal but without form. Like humans, angels are God's children and possess spirits, but unlike humans angels can function outside a body.
In other words, it's believed that angels have no bodies of their own, but they are thought to have spirits and a desire to serve God and all God's people.
What Do Angels Do?
In Jewish, Christian, and Muslim tradition, angels share news, protect, and comfort God's people. The Christian Holy Scriptures offer multiple glimpses of angels at work in the world.
Angels share news from God. An angel announced Jesus' birth to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and angels shared the birth of Jesus with the shepherds so the world could rejoice (Luke 1: 26-38, Luke 2:15-20).
The angels also guard and protect God's people. Angels in human bodies warn Lot and his family about Sodom and Gomorrah's fall (Genesis 19:1). Hagar, Moses' concubine, and her son Ishmael are saved from death by an angel in the desert (Genesis 16). An angel stops Abraham from sacrificing his son Issac to God as well (Genesis 22). St. Michael the Archangel fights the dragon to save souls destined for heaven (Revelations 12:7).
Since Biblical times, Christians have sought angels' protection and guidance. The Catholic Church made the three angels mentioned in Holy Scripture — Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael — saints to honor angels' work for God.
Praying with Angels
Believers pray with the angels during mass or for private devotion. Praying with the angels can be as complicated as reciting specific prayers to them or as simple as remembering them in one's prayers.
Pope Leo XIII's "Prayer to St. Michael" was a staple at mass before Vatican II and still offers protection for those who pray it. The simple prayer asks St. Michael the Archangel to protect those who believe and cast all who seek evil firmly into hell.
Cultivating devotion to one's guardian angel and including the angel in daily prayer life are other ways to connect with the angels.
Celebrating angels in the life of the Church, on the Feast of the Annunciation and the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels are other ways to honor the angels. Reflecting on stories of angels in scripture and miracles attributed to them is another way to pray with angels for God's world.
Angels care for, guide, and communicate God's blessing to God's people. With scripture and prayer, Christians continue to honor angels and their mission to save the world for God's glory.
Sources - The Holy Bible