Guardian Angels : Your Best Friend, Counselor, and Protector

In modern American culture, the majority of indivuals admit to suffering some form of mental anguish, whether it be depression, anxiety, or the excruciatingly painful feeling of loneliness.

So many of us feel lost on the journey with seemingly no where, or no one to turn to. At our darkest moments we may feel as though no one understands us, or our trials and tribulations. 

God understood this human condition of loneliness, and the need for guidance at the very beginning of time. Which is the very reason he assured us that we would never be alone.

 
But this assurance wasn't in the form of a best friend, a parent or even a spouse, but rather the assurance of the divine assistance from angels, God's very own servants and messengers. The only spiritual beings who are permitted to see God's face.

 
But what exactly are angels?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the belief in angels is a truth of faith. According to the CCC the word angel is the name of their office (or what they do), but they are in fact spirits who have supreme intelligence and free will (hence the fallen angels who were once beings of good). They are inferior to God, but superior to human beings and they vary in responsibility and strength.

 
Our faith teaches us that there are 9 choirs (or types) of angels. They are Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Archangels, Principalities, and Angels.

 
Although they are different in their abilities, they were all created with free will and to be servants and messengers of God, each with specific duties and roles.

 
Of the various types of angels, guardian angels are those that have been assigned to specifically assist humans beings from the very beginning of life until death.

 
Scripture provides us with rich examples of angels giving guidance and assistance to humans throughout both the old and new testaments. For example, angels protected Jesus while he was just a baby, and gave him strength in his agony in the garden.

 
Guardian angels have very specific duties that assist us throughout life. Their primary role is to keep us in a state of grace and they accomplish this through prayer, intercession, guidance and protection. They help us in many ways, especially in avoiding sin, and ultimately in assisting us in getting to heaven.
 

 
What Guardian Angels do for us

 
1.They protect us from danger
Our guardian angels protect us dangers, both big and small. They are constantly on alert and on the look out for perils that are both seen and unseen.

 
2. They defend us against evil
The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour ( 1 Peter 5:8). Our guardian angels defends us from evil by intervening upon the tricks of the devil.

 
3. They influence holiness
Guardian angels inspire holy thoughts within us. They whisper within us ideas of modesty, piety, true love and virtue and goodness.

 
4. They warn us
Guardian angels warn us against those things that place our souls in peril. It's that quiet intention or notion within that something is amiss.

 
5. They pray with us and for us
When we pray to God, our guardian angels join us in prayer. We are never praying alone. Our guardian angels also pray for us, when we are unable to pray for ourselves, and when we don't even realize we need prayer.

 

6. They help us in our hour of death 
Every human will have a final battle before they leave this Earth, and our guardian angel is there to assist.

 

7. They help us and stay with us in purgatory
Should a soul enter purgatory before entering heaven, their guardian angel will continue to assist them by praying for their soul.

Guardian angels (just like all spirits) are of free will. Because they have free will, it is imperative to treat your guardian angel with respect, acknowledge him, and form a deep connection with him. A simple way to do this is include your guardian angel in your regular prayers.

Keep in mind that from the very beginning of your existence your guardian has been concerned about you.
They watch and prayed over you at your worst moments and rejoice with you when you make good choices. They watched over you when you were a baby, lovingly looked after you as you grew up, and protected you through the trials and tribulations of your teenage years. Your guardian angel gives you perfect counsel if you are willing to listen, divine guidance, and heavenly intercession if you allow it.

 
Your guardian angel is your very best friend.

 
 
Common Prayers to The Guardian Angels
 

 
Guardian Angel Novena
(Prayer for 9 consecutive days)
 
O Holy Angel,
Whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct,
And who assists me in all my wants and comforts me in all my afflictions,
Who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors,
I return the profound thanks,
and I earnestly beseech thee,
O most amiable protector,

to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against malignant attacks of all my enemies.
Keep me away from all occasions of sin.
Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice.
In particular,
I implore thee to obtain for me the favor which I ask for by this novena (mention your petition here).
Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life,
but more especially at the hour of my death,
and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my Creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness.
Amen

Angel of God Prayer

Angel of God, 
my guardian dear, 
to whom His love commits me here.
Ever this day (or night) be at my side,
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
Amen

 
Good Night Prayer

Good night my guardian angel.
The day has sped away;
Well spent or ill,
It's story is written down for aye.
And now, of God's kind providence,
Thou image pure and bright,
Watch over me while I'm sleeping,
My angel dear,
Good Night!