Meditating with angels

Angels, though invisible, are very real. The Catholic Church acknowledges the existence of this invisible universe that surrounds us: "Angels contribute to everything that is good for us" (CCC no. 350). These celestial creatures, very present in the Bible, are not only messengers from heaven , but also protectors for human beings throughout their lives. There are many angels - Christian tradition even mentions nine choirs of angels. These include the archangels, but also our guardian angels. How can we enlist the help of angels? How can we nurture a relationship with angels ? Meditating on angels and their role in our lives, but also meditating with angels on our spiritual journey and entrusting our prayers to them, each day, are great ways of getting closer to these spiritual companions.

Which angel(s) can I pray to?

Christian tradition teaches us that angels are spiritual creatures created by God. There are a myriad of them (as it says in the Bible). Like each of these creatures, God created them free: free to choose him or reject him. So there are good angels and bad angels (also called demons or evil spirits). So it's important to know which angel you're invoking, and to be wary of vague, imprecise names.

Ask my guardian angel for help

When we think of angels, the image of the guardian angel often comes to mind. Every human being has an angel to whom he or she is entrusted for the duration of his or her life on earth: "Every faithful person has at his or her side an angel as protector and shepherd to guide him or her through life" (CCC no. 336). The mission of the guardian angel is to guide us to God and protect our soul. He also carries our prayers to the Lord because, like all angels, he can come and go freely between Heaven(the spiritual, eternal world) and Earth(the material, temporal world).

Our guardian angel is a life companion whom we can call on whenever we feel the need, or even develop a genuine friendship with, as Padre Pio with his angel did. Our angel's action is real, even if it doesn't necessarily take the form we might have imagined.

(You'll find some great  prayers to your guardian angelhere.)

Place yourself under the protection of the archangels of the Bible

There is sometimes talk of 7 archangels. The Bible doesn't say how many archangels there are, but it clearly names 3: Gabriel, Michael and Raphael. The Church therefore advises us to pray only to these three known archangels, whose very names evoke God ("Strength of God" for Gabriel, "Who is like God?" for Michael, and "God heals" for Raphael...) and whom we know to be clearly at his service.

In particular, we can ask for his intercession and the protection of St. Michael in our spiritual battles and to help us fight evil. Saint Raphael, for his part, is often prayed to for a request for healing.

What can I ask the angels?

We don't have to try to contact angels (as we would try to contact spirits - see the dangers of spiritualism) or to attract angels. Holy angels, in the service of God, are free spiritual beings whom we cannot summon at will or through rituals. Their help, protection and action in our lives are first and foremost God's work. Our prayers, even when entrusted to an angel, must therefore always be directed to God and conform to his will: "For [the Lord] will command his angels to keep you in all your ways" (Psalm 90 (91):11).

So we can ask the angels for help
- in our spiritual life: to protect us from Evil, to help us do Good, to follow God's will, to grow in holiness...
- but also in our daily lives: to help us make the right decision, to protect us and help us in our daily work, to inspire us to calm tense relationships or conflictual situations...

Two guided meditations with angels

Meditation with Archangel Michael

I settle into a stable, comfortable position. 

My breathing is calm and deep. I take a few moments to observe it, without trying to change its rhythm. I simply listen to the sound of my breathing. I'm attentive to the movements it makes on my body.

When I feel ready, I turn inward to God. I can do this by making the sign of the cross.
To better welcome the text I'm about to read, I can ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and mind to God's word.

I first read these verses from the Book of Revelation, aloud if possible: (Revelations 12:7-8) 

Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

I reread this biblical text slowly one or two more times.
Then I can close my eyes and let the images these words conjure up come to me. I can imagine Michael, the archangel, the leader of the heavenly militia, with his army of angels. I take the time to contemplate them, to see their strength, their courage, their brilliance in this battle.

I realize that this battle is not a fable, but that it does exist; that Archangel Michael is fighting for me - for all men - against the forces of Evil.

I end this time of meditation with this  prayer by Pope Leo XIII: 
 "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our help against the malice and snares of the devil. May God make him feel his empire, we beg you. And you, prince of the heavenly militia, by the power of God, drive Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl the world, intent on losing souls, back to hell. Amen."

Evening meditation with my guardian angel

I make myself comfortable , but in a position that will keep me awake for the duration of the meditation. If I'm on my bed, I sit up to avoid dozing off.

I begin by releasing the tensions of the day. To do this, I take a deep breath in, then exhale slowly, concentrating on the effect of relaxation. I do this twice, and with each exhalation, I relax my whole body.
Then I let my breathing resume its natural rhythm.

I become aware of the presence of my guardian angel, at my side, now, as at any moment of my day.
I can show him my attention with a word or a smile.

With him by my side, I take the time to introduce myself to God. 
I know that my angel is praying with me, accompanying and guiding me during this time of prayer, as he can see God and knows his will.

I remember all the good things I've experienced today : joyful moments, good news, shared laughter, exchanges and sharing, beauty contemplated, comfort received, work done...
I let my guardian angel remind me of the richness of my day.
I thank my guardian angel for showing them to me, either at the time, or now in retrospect.
Then, with him, I thank God for all his goodness.

I also look back on the most difficult moments of my day. I welcome the emotions these memories bring back to me.
I see how I may have felt the presence of my guardian angel at those moments. And with humility and honesty, I see how I did - or didn't - let myself be guided by him.
I take the time to thank my angel for his help, whether I welcomed it or not at the time.
Then, with him, I present these difficulties, worries and sorrows to God.
I can formulate a request to the Lord, trusting that my guardian angel will place it at his feet.

I can end this time of meditation 
- with a short prayer to my guardian angel : "Angel of God, you my guardian, watch over me at all times: night, day, evening and morning, all my life, be my support. Keep me from all evil and guide me to eternal life. Amen. "
 - and with the words of praise to God sung by the angels in heaven:  (Luke 2:14)

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Bible verses for meditating on the role of angels in our lives

The mission of angels: God's glory and our salvation

Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)

Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in strength, acting at his behest, obedient to his command. (Psalm 103:20)

Praise him, all you his angels; give praise, all you his hosts. (Psalm 148:2)

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5–6)