Did you know that about 77 percent of adults in America believe that angels exist? The belief that everyone has a guardian angel is a dogma of the Christian faith, dating even back to the belief of the Jews during the Old and New Testaments.
Matthew 18:10 (NIV), in particular, gives us evidence of guardian angels:
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Through this Bible verse, it can be discerned that “their angels” refers to an individual’s – referred to as “little ones” – God-assigned guardian angel.
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In the newest Pure Flix Original Christmas movie, “An Angelic Christmas,” we watch as God’s messenger and angel, Celest, is sent on a mission to earn her wings and become a guardian angel. But what exactly is a guardian angel? Let’s dive deeper into what a guardian angel is, the types of angels and who benefits from having a guardian angel.
The English word "angel" comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. Angels are non-human, non-corporeal pure spirits created by God. Essentially angels are heavenly beings that do God’s will and are God’s messengers. Throughout scripture, we can find several types of angels that are discussed and identified.
Angels fall into one of nine categories, ranking from highest order to lowest: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, archangels – probably the most known angels – principalities, and angels. To go through each category would be an article in and of itself, so we’ll just focus on what a guardian angel is and its Biblical references.
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The passage Psalm 91:10-12 (NIV) gives us a good understanding of why God sent us each a guardian angel:
No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
A guardian angel is sent by God to protect us. Each person is assigned a guardian angel whose specific duty is to watch over us. Guardian angels are first and foremost doing God’s will. Our guardian angel is in constant communication with God and intercedes for us on our behalf to the heavenly court.
Their mission is to do whatever they can to protect our souls, help that person avoid sin and spiritual dangers and gain entrance to heaven. We can think of them as silent yet trustworthy advisors and personal cheerleaders for our salvation. Our guardian angel always journeys with us, regardless of where we find ourselves. It is even believed that it is our guardian angel who carries our soul into heaven.
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References to guardian angels can be found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
In the Old Testament, we first encounter the discussion of angels in Genesis. Angels saved Lot and his family from danger, just like our guardian angel protects us, as described in the passaged Genesis 19:1-22 (NIV):
With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.’”– Genesis 19:15 (NIV)
Hebrews also has another Bible verse that gives us evidence our guardian angels are sent by God to help us in our journey to heaven:
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)
In the Books of Exodus and Numbers, God declares that He is sending His messengers, His angels to prepare the way for the Israelites to lead them out of Egypt:
See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. – Exodus 23:20 (NIV)
But when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt… – Numbers 20:16 (NIV)
These angels protected and guided the Israelites, just like our guardian angel is sent to protect us individually.
In the New Testament, angels appeared to Mary and Joseph to deliver the message of Jesus’ birth, as well as to the apostles after Christ’s death. These angels delivered messages reminding the apostles to not be afraid, helped Peter escape prison, and to share God’s mission for Cornelius.
While we are not sure of the name of our guardian angel, we can pray to God and ask for their intercession, protection, encouragement and aid. Our guardian angel rejoices when we ask for their help and thank them for being by our side.
A traditional Catholic prayer about our guardian angel goes as follows:
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.
We can also pray to God for our loved ones’ guardian angels for intercession on their behalf. Here’s a specific prayer for the guardian angel of your child:
I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company. Amen.
We can also pray in gratitude for our guardian angel:
Heavenly Father, Your infinite love for us has chosen a blessed angel in heaven and appointed him our guide during this earthly pilgrimage. Accept our thanks for so great a blessing. Grant that we may experience the assistance of our holy protector in all our necessities. And you, holy, loving angel and guide, watch over us with all the tenderness of your angelic heart. Keep us always on the way that leads to heaven, and cease not to pray for us until we have attained our final destiny, eternal salvation. Then we shall love you for all eternity. We shall praise and glorify you unceasingly for all the good you have done for us while here on earth. Especially be a faithful and watchful protector of our children. Take our place, and supply what may be wanting to us through human frailty, short-sightedness, or sinful neglect. Lighten, O you perfect servants of God, our heavy task. Guide our children, that they may become like unto Jesus, may imitate Him faithfully, and persevere till they attain eternal life. Amen.
The role of a guardian can be seen in the Pure Flix Original movie, “An Angelic Christmas.” Celest is on a mission to get her wings as a guardian angel and enlists the help of sisters Delainey and Loren during the Christmas season. “An Angelic Christmas” starts streaming on Pure Flix November 18.