Page 22 - Lessons and Activities on Prayer

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guarDian angeL Prayer
Catechist background
God gave each of us a guardian angel at our birth to watch over us, to pray for us, and to guide us. angels can protect us from spiritual and physical harm. Jesus referred to angels when he said that children’s “angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
Many theologians and saints have referred to angels. st. basil wrote “every one of the faithful has an angel at his side as educator and guide, di- recting his life.” st. clement and st. Gregory the Great believed that countries, cities, towns, and families had angels watching over them.
e word “angel” comes from the Greek work “angelos,” which means “messenger.” angels are God’s special messengers. angels are found throughout the scriptures. raphael, an archan- gel, was sent to Tobit to heal his blindness (Tobit, chapter 11). angels protected the three young men who were thrown in a ery furnace by King ne- buchadnezzar (daniel, chapter 3). Gabriel asked Mary to be the mother of Jesus (luke 1:26–38). and remember when st. Peter was in prison? an angel rescued him (acts 12:6–10).
Archangels
e biblical reference for the archangel raphael is found in the book of Tobit. he was disguised as a man and journeyed with Tobit’s son. after the journey, he healed Tobit of his blindness. e name raphael means “God heals.” he is the patron of the blind, of nurses and physicians, and of travelers.
e archangel Michael is known for ghting the bad angels. Michael is mentioned in the book of daniel and in the book of revelation. e name Michael means “who is like God.” he is the patron of paratroopers, police, mariners, and grocers.
in the bible, the archangel Gabriel is found in the book of daniel and the Gospel of luke. cath- olics are most familiar with his role as the one who asked Mary to be the mother of God. Gabriel
means “God is my strength.” he is the patron of messengers, those who work for radio and televi- sion, and postal workers.
ese three archangels are the only ones found in the scriptures. each one has a di erent job: Mi- chael protects, Gabriel announces, and raphael guides.
Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
gUArDiAnAngelPrAyerLeSSonPLan1
Objectives
□ children will use song to discuss angels and what they do
□ children will recite the Guardian angel prayer
materials
□ Angel template (run o on cardstock, if possible) (page 24)
□ Hole punch (for younger children; or to save time, punch the holes in the templates prior to class)
□ Yarn Song
Angels (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
angels, angels up in heaven how i wonder what you do. Guarding, guiding us today, Keeps you busy all day long. angels, angels up in heaven how i wonder what you do.
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