Calling All Good Angels: Combatting Evil and Saving Souls

How many see the news and throw up their hands with an attitude of defeatism, lamenting the seemingly overwhelming demonic influences beyond our sphere of control. How do we fight Congress when even our small City Hall detests and ignores us? Well, we are not at all helpless. In fact, we can and should be far more powerful in intercessory prayer, especially with the angels at our sides and in the universe.

Each of us has a Guardian Angel, so it stands to reason that satan would counter with his own legions of devils.  In the billions…are all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.   Judging from the rebellious persons in many locations, they are most certainly active, stealthily whispering in the minds and souls of their targeted but spiritually weak or dead persons and succeeding in overpowering their consciousness of sin.  

However, the natural question arises, “Why do not the Guardian Angels of these lost souls rise up to defeat satan and his minions?  After all, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church 336).  Perhaps the answer lies in the word “believer.”  If one is unaware of that which can save him or her from danger, it is unlikely that he or she will know how to deploy a Guardian Angel.  In other words, in order for Guardian Angels to defend their charges, they must be recognized and called upon. 

 
Imagine having a weapon in the home, but not knowing of its existence, as a deadly intruder barges through the door.  The victim would likely be overwhelmed, whereas had he or she been familiar with a defense instrument and how to readily access and utilize it,  the outcome would have been different. 

 
God’s Guardian Angels “assigned” to these assaulted persons often are not even acknowledged and so God’s messengers and protectors witness these attacks in silence  and sorrow.  This is where we, as believers, may intercede on their behalf, a spiritual corps of heavenly agents of love and truth.    Moreover, we may reach higher to the Archangels, as well, and in specific ways, even for strangers.

 
More specifically, we should pray even with “unknown Guardian Angels” to foster their charge’s knowledge of God, an increase in salvific hope, and, thereby, instilling and increasing their capacity for love.

 
Well known member of the Community of the Beatitudes, retreat preacher and author, Rev.Jaques Philippe in Interior Freedom, notes that lack of (genuine) freedom stems from a lack of love.  He cites the scourge of victimization when the “real problem (and solution)  is within us.”   He asserts that “people who have not learned how to love will always feel like victims.”  

 
Let us pause here and look at our world, especially the hot spots of rage whereby individuals incessantly chant—often with raised fists—about “the downtrodden poor,” “racism,” “sex identity bigotry,” “police brutality” and “fascism.”  Recently Governor Newsom’s wife lamented that the media seemed not to care about the ‘war on women’ while chiding an all female press corp.  Her tirade inferred a never ending dilemma of injustice for women.  Nothing satisfies while hate fuels these incessant outbursts. Parenthetically, the actual victims are babies in the womb and impressionable youth in government schools, to name only a couple, 

 
Among our intentions which transcend figures of worldly power and pass through all physical barriers should be that the Light attracts the blinded, casts out ignorance, and dissolves resistance,  whereby Faith grows and Hope blossoms.  

 
Numerous prayers are searchable.  One is below.

 
Holy Guardian Angels,

Whom God has appointed to watch over us, 

we honor you and seek your powerful intercession.

Protect our families, friends, and all humanity

From physical and spiritual harm.

Guide us to live in peace, charity, and truth,

And lead us all to the eternal kingdom of God.

With your light, illuminate our paths, 

And with your strength, defend us from evil.

Amen

 
e-catholic.org also has a “Light a Candle” online to offer this and other prayers, as a “profound expression of faith and devotion.”

 
Then, this morning, as I considered all the significantly spiritually—if not mentally—ill souls, some of whom may never have had any catechesis who are under the deep influence of evil disguised as good, I think we can take this one step further.

 
I am beginning my day with a Guardian Angel prayer to reach two strangers—male and female—known only to God and according to His will.  If millions of faithful Catholics faithful would follow through on that, envision the souls that could be illuminated with their Creator’s love and truth.  I also daily entreat St. Michael the Archangel to drive away demons from these persons while defending them in battle; St. Gabriel to bring them encouragement and persons who truly love them; and St. Raphael to bind up any woundedness that prevents their full embrace of God’s perfect love.