Praying to angels?

[Jesness]

I was having a problem and so someone suggested to me to pray the rosary. There was an initial aversion to this, for some unknown reason; I say it’s unknown because I have never had a problem with the rosary before. I went to catholic school as a child and we were made to pray it on certain days. Then I did it without question; as an adult it took meditation and prayer for me to understand how this was not idolatrous. Nevertheless, I recently started praying it and found that there were some new prayers added that I don’t remember from childhood; one of them being a concluding prayer to St. Micheal the Archangel.

I honestly don’t know where or how to start with this. It’s not my intention to judge anyone, however, I can’t quite wrap my mind around how this is okay. Angels are ministering spirits; it is to my understanding, angels guard us, they protect countries, cities, churches and I’m sure a whole slew of other people and places that we don’t even know about; but I have never received any indication that we should be praying to these spirits. Obviously, as it is an optional prayer I don’t have to say it; I’m just wonder what’s up with this? Also, I did not get the same response to prayer on this point as I did with the rosary. I asked God what was up with this, and I got a very firm response that suggested that- if it’s not wrong, at the very least it’s wrong for me. So maybe you guys can enlighten me on this?

 

[rinnie]

I was having a problem and so someone suggested to me to pray the rosary. There was an initial aversion to this, for some unknown reason; I say it’s unknown because I have never had a problem with the rosary before. I went to catholic school as a child and we were made to pray it on certain days. Then I did it without question; as an adult it took meditation and prayer for me to understand how this was not idolatrous. Nevertheless, I recently started praying it and found that there were some new prayers added that I don’t remember from childhood; one of them being a concluding prayer to St. Micheal the Archangel.

I honestly don’t know where or how to start with this. It’s not my intention to judge anyone, however, I can’t quite wrap my mind around how this is okay. Angels are ministering spirits; it is to my understanding, angels guard us, they protect countries, cities, churches and I’m sure a whole slew of other people and places that we don’t even know about; but I have never received any indication that we should be praying to these spirits. Obviously, as it is an optional prayer I don’t have to say it; I’m just wonder what’s up with this? Also, I did not get the same response to prayer on this point as I did with the rosary. I asked God what was up with this, and I got a very firm response that suggested that- if it’s not wrong, at the very least it’s wrong for me. So maybe you guys can enlighten me on this?

I was never aware that we prayed to anyone but God. I was always taught that the Angels as well as the Saints are wih God. I was always taught that we ask for thier prayers.

So what would be the difference between asking the Angels or the Saints for prayers? Do you believe in prayers of others? If I ask you to pray for me do you feel that I am wrong? So then if you do feel that I can pray for you, why could the Angels and Saints not pray for us.

Lets talk about he Prayer to Saint Michael shall we!

St 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 thrust into hell satan and all evil spirits who prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Now where in that prayer are we praying TO Saint Michael. We are asking him to help protect us and our Children and the world from the snares of the devil.

But who is to rebuke the Devil, God or Saint Michael? See what I mean. We are asking St Michael to continue to do Gods work and to continue to use the Power given to him by God to Do GODS WORK! It is all according to Gods will and power.

We are just asking him to use the Power given to him to continue to protect us with the Power God gave him. We know all power comes from God. We are not praying to Saint Michael per say, we are asking for his assistance with his prayers and power given to him from God.

 

[rinnie]

Something that may also help you. Did you know that the prayer is only scirpture from the bible?

Check it out

Eph 6:12
Wis. 2: 23-24
1 Cor. 6:20
Rev, 27-9

 

[uxordepp]

Another thing…

You don’t have to pray the St. Michael Prayer when you say the rosary. I’ve never actually heard of this.

The rosary is a devotion, and therefore variations exist. The main prayers, the Hail Mary and the Our Father are nearly entirely scriptural (well, the Our Father IS entirely scriptural).

Otherwise, what Rinnee says is quite correct, as far as I know.

We ask angels and saints to pray for us, or to cooperate in God’s will for us. They have no power to do anything outside of God’s will. This is just as we do when we ask other people on earth to pray for us or help us.

But the Saints have a bird’s eye view of what’s going on.

 

[Jesness]

I was never aware that we prayed to anyone but God. I was always taught that the Angels as well as the Saints are wih God. I was always taught that we ask for thier prayers.

So what would be the difference between asking the Angels or the Saints for prayers? Do you believe in prayers of others? If I ask you do pray for me do you feel that I am wrong? So then if you do not feel that I cannot pray for you, why could the Angels and Saints pray for us.

Lets talk about he Prayer to Saint Michael shall we!

St 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 thrust into hell satan and all evil spirits who prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. This is not the prayer I learned. My apologies, I didn’t know there was more than one. This is the prayer in question:

"St. Micheal the Archangel, with your light enlighten us. St. Micheal the Archangel with your wings protect us. St. Micheal with your sword defend us.

Now where in that prayer are we praying TO Saint Michael. We are asking him to help protect us and our Children and the world from the snares of the devil.

But who is to rebuke the Devil, God or Saint Michael? See what I mean. We are asking St Michael to continue to do Gods work and to continue to use the Power given to him by God to Do GODS WORK! It is all according to Gods will and power.

We are just asking him to use the Power given to him to continue to protect us with the Power God gave him. We know all power comes from God. We are not praying to Saint Michael per say, we are asking for his assistance with his prayers and power given to him from God.

If you are under his protection by God’s authority, then why do you need to ask him for continued or more protection? Do you think he’ll stop if you don’t ask him? Do you think he’ll continue if God tells him to stop; or, give you more protection than what God has alloted to you? In the Hail Mary, it is asked of Mary to pray for you at the end of the scriptural bits. 'Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." You are asking for her to petition God on your behalf.

You’re not asking for his prayer for God’s protection, but are asking Micheal the Archangel to defend you.

 

[Elizium23]

In praying the rosary we customarily pray the Apostles’ Creed. I suppose that you pray it as well. If you mean what you say then you believe all this creed teaches - the Catholic faith. Then you surely believe in “the communion of saints.” This is what allows us to pray to saints and angels in heaven. Yes indeed we pray TO them, and we ask them to pray FOR us. You cannot say the Hail Mary without praying to a saint. You may pray to anyone who is in heaven, even someone who has not been canonized by the Church. You can pray to your deceased mother and if she is in heaven then she will hear your prayer. That is how the communion of saints works - we are all connected - in life, we use different forms of communication with each other, and in eternal life we use prayer.

 

[absitinvidia]

*This is not the prayer I learned. My apologies, I didn’t know there was more than one. This is the prayer in question:

"St. Micheal the Archangel, with your light enlighten us. St. Micheal the Archangel with your wings protect us. St. Micheal with your sword defend us.*

I’m not familiar with that one, but the last two sentences are very similar to a prayer I pray as a private devotion to St. Michael, which I composed myself.

Look at Tobit 12:12, where St. Raphael says that he carried Tobit’s prayer to God. And Luke 22:43, where God sends an Angel to comfort Jesus. Angels are sent to do God’s work all throughout the Bible. The Saints and Angels are actively participating in the work of God, and have specific talents and skills. There’s nothing really wrong with asking them to help you.

But if you’re not comfortable with it, then don’t feel you have to pray it. We should be sincere in our prayers.

 

[rinnie]

If you are under his protection by God’s authority, then why do you need to ask him for continued or more protection? Do you think he’ll stop if you don’t ask him? Do you think he’ll continue if God tells him to stop; or, give you more protection than what God has alloted to you? In the Hail Mary, it is asked of Mary to pray for you at the end of the scriptural bits. 'Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." You are asking for her to petition God on your behalf.

You’re not asking for his prayer for God’s protection, but are asking Micheal the Archangel to defend you.

No Go back to the prayer. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. We are asking St Michael to protect us, and by the power that is GODS POWER may he use it to keep the devil away from us.

God has given Power to St Michael. Just like if you go back to scripture. Remember how God said to the Apostles All power from heaven and earth has been given to me by my Father. Then think what he said to St Peter. You are Peter…and to YOU I give the keys to the kingdom, what you bind on earth is bound in heaven. Now Jesus had the power from God and gave it to St Peter and also the Apostles. But my point. Power. Just as he gave the Apostles the power to forgive sin etc, he gave St Michael the power to over power the devil. See what I mean?

 

[rinnie]

If you are under his protection by God’s authority, then why do you need to ask him for continued or more protection? Do you think he’ll stop if you don’t ask him? Do you think he’ll continue if God tells him to stop; or, give you more protection than what God has alloted to you? In the Hail Mary, it is asked of Mary to pray for you at the end of the scriptural bits. 'Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." You are asking for her to petition God on your behalf.

You’re not asking for his prayer for God’s protection, but are asking Micheal the Archangel to defend you.

Also just because he has authority from God to protect us from the devil, there are times that we can still fall prey to the devil. Not because of the authority given to ST Michael, but because of the free will given to us from God.

It is by our own fault that we sin, but if we are in a bad way and ask St Michael to help us because we are very weak at the moment, it is by our Free Wil that we are asking for his help.

Its like a drug addict, they cannot beat the devil, they need that fix, but they can appeal to St Michael and say St Michael Please come to my aid and help me to beat him. St Michael can do this. Because it was our free will that we asked him, and Gods power that was used. Is is by the Power of GOd that no matter what the devil holds over you, God can fix. And sometimes we need the Angels to help us too. God is cool with that. God loves for us to help one another, Rather it be from heaven, or from this earth.

 

[Jesness]

In praying the rosary we customarily pray the Apostles’ Creed. I suppose that you pray it as well. If you mean what you say then you believe all this creed teaches - the Catholic faith. Then you surely believe in “the communion of saints.” This is what allows us to pray to saints and angels in heaven. Yes indeed we pray TO them, and we ask them to pray FOR us. You cannot say the Hail Mary without praying to a saint. You may pray to anyone who is in heaven, even someone who has not been canonized by the Church. You can pray to your deceased mother and if she is in heaven then she will hear your prayer. That is how the communion of saints works - we are all connected - in life, we use different forms of communication with each other, and in eternal life we use prayer.

Communion of saints I have always understood to mean fellowship with other Christians. It says in the scriptures not to forsake the communion of saints. I have never understood this to mean to speak to saints in heaven. I am not disputing intercession, as I mentioned in the first post, I sometimes pray a rosary, I’m just saying this is not how I take this when I pray the creed. (Also, if God has any problem with the way I pray the creed, He’s never made any indication of it by denying my prayer request.)

Also, rinnie, I’m not disputing that Micheal can’t overpower Satan, that’s kind of his thing, Satan stomper; but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I should ask him directly for anything. Shouldn’t I go through God, that is to say, ask God for protection?

 

[Jesness]

*This is not the prayer I learned. My apologies, I didn’t know there was more than one. This is the prayer in question:

"St. Micheal the Archangel, with your light enlighten us. St. Micheal the Archangel with your wings protect us. St. Micheal with your sword defend us.*

I’m not familiar with that one, but the last two sentences are very similar to a prayer I pray as a private devotion to St. Michael, which I composed myself.

Look at Tobit 12:12, where St. Raphael says that he carried Tobit’s prayer to God. And Luke 22:43, where God sends an Angel to comfort Jesus. Angels are sent to do God’s work all throughout the Bible. The Saints and Angels are actively participating in the work of God, and have specific talents and skills. There’s nothing really wrong with asking them to help you.

But if you’re not comfortable with it, then don’t feel you have to pray it. We should be sincere in our prayers.

This is true, sincerity in prayer is important. I mean, you gain nothing by being insincere, God knows our hearts. But anyway… Yes, Angels run around doing a lot of things; I’m not trying to take anything away from them in this area; they’re ministering spirits, and God has them ministering all over the place, but I’ve never seen any indication that we should be asking them for anything. An angel did strengthen Jesus in the garden, but did he pray for an angle? No, he prayed to his Father. It was his Father’s decision to use an angel to strengthen him. I dunno, we are justified by our faith, so maybe this is fine for someone with stronger faith, but not good for me.

 

[rinnie]

Communion of saints I have always understood to mean fellowship with other Christians. It says in the scriptures not to forsake the communion of saints. I have never understood this to mean to speak to saints in heaven. I am not disputing intercession, as I mentioned in the first post, I sometimes pray a rosary, I’m just saying this is not how I take this when I pray the creed. (Also, if God has any problem with the way I pray the creed, He’s never made any indication of it by denying my prayer request.)

Also, rinnie, I’m not disputing that Micheal can’t overpower Satan, that’s kind of his thing, Satan stomper; but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I should ask him directly for anything. Shouldn’t I go through God, that is to say, ask God for protection?

You can my dear, but you can also ask for intercession. ITs like me saying to you, No, don’t pray for me, I can pray for myself. What are your prayers better then mine. See what I am saying.

Then we can go to the book of Job. Remember what God said to Jobs friends. Ask Job to pray for you, his prayers I will accept. We know that God will accept the prayers of the Saints because they are righteous. See what I mean?

I am by no means saying your prayers are not accepted by God, or you are in no way righteous by we can be guaranteed our Brothers and Sisters in Christ are because that how they got to heaven!

But sure you can go straight to God. Thats cool!! But remember what did Jesus say to St Peter. Peter I have prayed for you. See what I mean. Jesus was a great example of what a rightous Man’s prayers can do. You didn’t hear Peter say, no thankx man, No need for prayers I will pray for myself!

 

[rinnie]

Also read Revelations. IT shows the Angels taking up the prayers to heaven!! Rev. 4:5 which are the Prayers of the Holy Ones. THe seven angels of the presence!! That is probally the best scripture I can show you. Hope it helps.

 

[Jesness]

You can my dear, but you can also ask for intercession. ITs like me saying to you, No, don’t pray for me, I can pray for myself. What are your prayers better then mine. See what I am saying.

Then we can go to the book of Job. Remember what God said to Jobs friends. Ask Job to pray for you, his prayers I will accept. We know that God will accept the prayers of the Saints because they are righteous. See what I mean?

I am by no means saying your prayers are not accepted by God, or you are in no way righteous by we can be guaranteed our Brothers and Sisters in Christ are because that how they got to heaven!

But sure you can go straight to God. Thats cool!! But remember what did Jesus say to St Peter. Peter I have prayed for you. See what I mean. Jesus was a great example of what a rightous Man’s prayers can do. You didn’t hear Peter say, no thankx man, No need for prayers I will pray for myself!

It’s not the intercession that bothers me though, it’s the intercessor. An angel is not a human being. There is quite a big difference between the two. Jesus actually makes a distinction to St. Faustina in the diary if divine mercy. When she asked why human’s were shown mercy when we sinned in the Garden of Eden and the rebellious angels were kicked out of heaven; He explains that it was because ‘no human, though a great saint has knowledge of God like an angel has.’ There is a distinction between angels and saints. The scriptures may allude to intercession of a saint, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we should pray to angels- for intercession or anything else. It may not be their purpose. What’s good for the goose my not necessarily be good for the gander in this case. Job was one human being praying for other human beings- Jesus was one human being praying for another. You can pray for me, and I can pray for you, but we’re both the same. Even the bible says that Jesus didn’t die for angels but died for men.

 

[rinnie]

It’s not the intercession that bothers me though, it’s the intercessor. An angel is not a human being. There is quite a big difference between the two. Jesus actually makes a distinction to St. Faustina in the diary if divine mercy. When she asked why human’s were shown mercy when we sinned in the Garden of Eden and the rebellious angels were kicked out of heaven; He explains that it was because ‘no human, though a great saint has knowledge of God like an angel has.’ There is a distinction between angels and saints. The scriptures may allude to intercession of a saint, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we should pray to angels- for intercession or anything else. It may not be their purpose. What’s good for the goose my not necessarily be good for the gander in this case. Job was one human being praying for other human beings- Jesus was one human being praying for another. You can pray for me, and I can pray for you, but we’re both the same. Even the bible says that Jesus didn’t die for angels but died for men.

Okay try this. Tobit 12:13

Raphael is one of the seven specially designated intercessors who present Mans prayers to God. Does that help? We also have Gabriel, and of course St Michael!!

 

[Spencerian]

It’s not the intercession that bothers me though, it’s the intercessor. An angel is not a human being. There is quite a big difference between the two. Jesus actually makes a distinction to St. Faustina in the diary if divine mercy. When she asked why human’s were shown mercy when we sinned in the Garden of Eden and the rebellious angels were kicked out of heaven; He explains that it was because ‘no human, though a great saint has knowledge of God like an angel has.’ There is a distinction between angels and saints. The scriptures may allude to intercession of a saint, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we should pray to angels- for intercession or anything else. It may not be their purpose. What’s good for the goose my not necessarily be good for the gander in this case. Job was one human being praying for other human beings- Jesus was one human being praying for another. You can pray for me, and I can pray for you, but we’re both the same. Even the bible says that Jesus didn’t die for angels but died for men.

Hi.

In the Catholic dogma, the Communion of Saints are all those of a saintly nature, living or dead, once physical (human) or eternally spiritual in nature (angels).

According to Catholic tradition, yes, angels do have far superior intellect than humans. Yet, despite this, one of them decided to turn away from God.

The word “angel” is derived from the Greek angelos: messenger. Each time we see an angel in Scripture, it is bringing a message from God to someone. This is supported in Revelation as the angels bring the prayers of the “holy ones” to God. Thus, it is their purpose to send and receive messages for God.

While Michael was never human, his actions as an angel and, also a member of the body of Christ in heaven, merits the title of saint in orthodox Christianity.

The term “saint” simply means “holy one.”

Those who are dead in Christ are living in heaven and aware and praying for us to God to help us here. Angels, while not human, also can be called to send a message to God from us, as is their purpose.

You seem to be “stuck” on the root of the word “prayer.” Protestants have taken it to mean “worship.” To Catholics and a few others, to pray is to use the true meaning of the word, which means simply, “to tell.” We do not *worship *Mary when we *ask *her to help us. We *tell *her to *ask *God to help us. Were you to ask me to pray for you, I would be asking God (or Christ, or Mary, or any other saint) to *ask *Him to help you.

You can ask God to help directly, always, but He asked us to pray for each other to strengthen His community. Christ noted this in Luke 15, to take one of many examples.

All creatures of God are members of the Body of Christ, the communion of saints, for, by definition, everything in heaven is holy. But only God grants the power and action of prayer (from earth or heaven, from living or in heaven, angel or human) of such prayer.

An important Catholic clarification: Jesus was more than human. He was *both *human and God, but He humbled Himself to the human form and, thus, prayed for us to the Father.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

There are 9 choirs of angels, here are just two of the class of angels recorded from scripture. One definitely wants his/her angel always present when battling “powers and principalities” from the evil side. This is an eternal reality.

Arch Angels; Michael, Raphael, Gabriel + (Hebrew traditions) Uriel, Metatran, Suriel, Phanuel
1.These are the middle angels in the choirs, and are also ministers and guardians of people and nations, these participate in both angels and principalities.

2.These also give care and minister directly and especially for us.

3.These have a chief (prince) Angel of high rank. (compared to a bishop or overseer of multiple diocese, thus Arch Bishop).

4.An Arch Angel is a captain of the army of the host of God.

5.These resist and battle Satan on our behalf.

6.These interpret visions for the prophets and are God’s messengers to man. They give divine revelations

7.These rebuke Satan and can deliver God’s wrath and judgment to evil spirits and evil peoples.

8.These are found in both old and new testaments. Mathew 13:41-42, 24;31, Rev.8:6-12, 20:9-10

“Angels” these are ministering and guardian angels who give their care especially for us. Psalm 8:6 man was made lower than these angels.

1. These can be good or bad spirits. **Exodus 23:20-22 obey your guardian angel, ****God sends an angel ahead of you. Deuteronomy 32:8 all nations and peoples receive guardian angels, Psalm 121:1-8 **The guardian never sleeps… Mathew 18:10 the angels see the father face to face on behalf of these little ones.
2. The demons believe and tremble James 2:19
3. He makes his angels winds, ministers of fiery flame, Hebrew 1:7,14
   cloud of witnesses Hebrew 12:1, 13:2 some have entertained them.
4. Acts 27:23 (Paul),(Peter) Acts 12:7-11, (Cornellius) Acts 10:3-6
5. God set up boundaries of the Peoples after the number of angels Deuteronomy 32:8, see also Wisdom 11:20