Prayer to St Michael

[Anglo-catholic]

Is the prayer to St, Michael really appropriate? Are we asking for something that St. Michael can do (cast Satan into hell)? or is this something that God has chosen not to do (at least at this time) - so why ask for it?

 

[Annunciata]

Anglo-catholic:

Is the prayer to St, Michael really appropriate? Are we asking for something that St. Michael can do (cast Satan into hell)? or is this something that God has chosen not to do (at least at this time) - so why ask for it?

Read the prayer carefully and your answer is already there…

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou O Prince of the heavenly host, By the Power of God - Drive into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander throught the world seaking the ruin of Souls. Amen.

Very appropriate…he already kicked him out of heaven!
Annunciata

 

[Reilly]

I think because we, as humans, perceive from a temporal perspective, it might appear to be relatively pointless to ask for this. Looking at it (or at least trying to) from the perspective of the eternal, where all things in time are happening, it becomes a very meaningful prayer; and one, I think, we may happily believe is answered satisfactorily.

 

[Fidelis]

By the way, which of the various versions of this prayer is most widely said? I’m not talking about the longer, more “official” version, but the one along the lines that the previous poster provided. It seems that in every prayer group I have been in when we have tried to say this prayer, everyone has a different version so that it sounds like the Tower of Babel! The differences are slight, but enough to throw people off.

Which one do you pray? We can call the previous posters version number 1. Here is the one I’m used to that we can call number 2, with the variations underlined:

1. Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou O Prince of the heavenly host, By the Power of God - Drive into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander throught the world seeking the ruin of Souls. Amen.
2. St.Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

[Anglo-catholic]

My question was initiated because the prayer seems to be asking St. Michael (by the power of God) to change our current earthly struggle with temptation and evil - which seems to be unscriptural or at odds with God’s plan.

If we are asking for the “new earth” as described in Revelation then what we asking for is the same as praying Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus - or for the end of this world and the binding of Satan for 1000 years - which is scriptural.

 

[The_Barrister]

Powerful prayer. Very useful to begin any extended prayer sessions with this prayer, and call upon St. Michael to slay those demons who attempt to interrupt your prayers.

 

[deogratias]

This is how I learned the prayer over 50 years ago and it

St. Michael the archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. We humbly beseech God to command him, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the divine power thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who roam thrugh the world seeking the ruin of souls.

That line seems to have fallen by the wayside and I think it is important because in that we pray to God to give St. Michael that power as I read it.

Latin scholars may find an even more accurate meaning in this the original prayer in Latin

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nose in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus; supplices deprecamur; turque, Princeps militiae celestis. Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute in infernun detrude.

 

[mtr01]

Fidelis:

Which one do you pray? We can call the previous posters version number 1. Here is the one I’m used to that we can call number 2, with the variations underlined:

1. Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou O Prince of the heavenly host, By the Power of God - Drive into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander throught the world seeking the ruin of Souls. Amen.
2. St.Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

The version I know is #2 here listed. However, I also have a prayer book that has it this way (call it #3):

1. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wiles and wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls.

This version seems to have elements from both 1&2, plus some different elements. Also, just to throw in more confusion, I’ve also heard (during group prayer) “by the divine power of God…”

I’ve also noticed the “Tower of Babel” effect of this prayer. No wonder, with all these different versions out there!

 

[Fidelis]

I guess we can call this one number 4:

1. St. Michael the archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. We humbly beseech God to command him, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the divine power thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who roam thrugh the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Wow, nothing close to a consensus yet.

If we are asking for the “new earth” as described in Revelation then what we asking for is the same as praying Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus - or for the end of this world and the binding of Satan for 1000 years - which is scriptural.

If one is taking this in the pre-millenialist sense of a 1000 year earthly reign of Christ after a rapture and Great Tribulation, this is not scriptural.

 

[Minerva]

correct me if I’m wrong, but Satan is not cast permanently into Hell yet - he is present on this earth along with demons, in fact he is the “prince of the world” (not too implausible, just look around you ) St Michael has kicked him out of Heaven, we ask the archangel to finish the job, so to speak. Is this right?