Beginning yesterday morning, we’ve been praying (here and here) with our Jewish neighbors who are observing Yom Kippur – and we’ll pray with them again at Night Prayer this evening. But we have our own liturgical calendar to keep, too, and today’s the feast of the Guardian Angels. (And looking around the world these days, it seems to me we could use an angel or two!) Click here for some information on what the Church believes and teaches about angels. The artwork above comes from the studio of Brian Kershisnik.
I could use a few angels, Lord!
Archangels, angels, seraphim and cherubim,
angels to guard and guide me, Lord!
I need an angel Lord:
a spiritual servant, a messenger from you,
bringing news of your word and your presence…
I need an angel, Lord:
to watch and keep vigil both night and day,
to guide me safely along the right path,
to guard and protect me wherever I go…
Send me your angel, Lord:
an angel of courage for when I’m afraid,
an angel of wisdom for when I’m confused,
an angel of strength for when I’m weak…
an angel of healing for when I’m not well…
an angel of comfort for times when I’m troubled…
a consoling angel for when I’m grieving…
an angel-friend for when I’m alone…
Send me a flight of angels, Lord,
with gifts of right judgment to guide my discernment,
with gifts of right judgment to guide my discernment,
with arms of strength to lift me in prayer
with wisdom and light to lead me to truth…
Send me an angel
with a spirit of reverence to humble my pride,
with kindness disposing my heart to service,
with prudence shaping my words and my deeds…
with kindness disposing my heart to service,
with prudence shaping my words and my deeds…
Send me an angel, Lord,
with peace to heal my anger and pride,
with courage to bring an end to my wars,
with courage to bring an end to my wars,
with compassion to mend my broken heart…
Send an army of angels, Lord,
to keep me honest, just and fair,
to keep me faithful whenever I’m tempted,
to keep me pure when I’d settle for less…
to keep me faithful whenever I’m tempted,
to keep me pure when I’d settle for less…
Open my heart to your angel Lord:
the angel you send to visit each day,
the angel you station along my path,
the angel whose comfort is grace and gift…
And open my heart to your local angels:
my family and friends, colleagues, neighbors
– and strangers, too –
who lift my spirits and fill me with peace,
who lift my spirits and fill me with peace,
who serve me as angels, sent with your love…
I welcome each angel you send me, Lord,
who sustains my hopes, my dreams and my plans,
who prompts me to praise your most holy name
who sustains my hopes, my dreams and my plans,
who prompts me to praise your most holy name
and who nudges me closer to you and your mercy…
All Night, All Day,
African-American spiritual
All night, all day,
angels watchin’ over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
angels watchin’ over me. (repeat)
When I lay me down to
sleep,
sleep,
angels watchin’ over me,
my Lord.
my Lord.
I pray the Lord my soul to
keep,
keep,
angels watchin’ over me.
I pray his blessing on the
land that I love
land that I love
angels watchin’ over me,
my Lord
my Lord
the earth and the sea and
the sky up above
the sky up above
angels watchin’ over me.
Every morning when I rise
angels watchin’ over me,
my Lord,
my Lord,
I thank my Lord for His
gift of life
gift of life
angels watchin’ over me.
I thank him for my lovin’
family and friends,
family and friends,
angels watchin’ over me,
my Lord
my Lord
I thank him daily for his
love without end
love without end
angels watchin’ over me.
All night, angels watchin’
All day, angels watchin’
All times hear me sing
about the holy angels
always watchin’ over me.
always watchin’ over me.
I’m singin’ about the
angels watchin’ over me
angels watchin’ over me
still singin’ about the
angels watchin’ over me,
angels watchin’ over me,
