(Wendy Cabell, July 6, 2020, feast day of Saint Maria Teresa Goretti. Image from here. )
Angel Prayer
Michael at right,
Love of God,
hear us.
Gabriel at left,
Strength of God,
rear us.
Uriel ahead,
Light of God,
steer us.*
Raphael at back,
Healing of God,
cheer us.
Sheltering Wings,
Presence of God,
Ever be
Thou near us.
Amen.
*This prayer poem is based on traditional qualities of the archangels, coupled with verses from the Siddur's Bedtime Shema (Kriyat Shema She'al Hamitah): "To my right Michael and to my left Gabriel, in front of me Uriel and behind me Raphael, and over my head God's Shekhinah".
Just to note however, the Talmud (Numbers Rabbah 2:10) interchanges the positions of Uriel and Gabriel. From the Wikipedia entry Angels in Judaism: "As the Holy One blessed be He created four winds (directions) and four banners (for Israel's army), so also did He make four angels to surround His Throne--Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael. Michael is on its right, corresponding to the tribe of Reuben; Uriel on its left, corresponding to the tribe of Dan, which was located in the north; Gabriel in front, corresponding to the tribe of Judah as well as Moses and Aaron who were in the east; and Raphael in the rear, corresponding to the tribe of Ephraim which was in the west."
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