Day 1: Calling on the Archangels & Encountering Your Guardian Angel

OPENING PRAYER
We gather this morning bringing our hearts to the love of thousands who shimmer across the veil, offering us support and guidance: the angels, saints, and ancestors who welcome us into a community of seekers. We call especially on the Archangels this morning, those beings of protection, calling, healing, and wisdom who surround us in the four directions to help illuminate our place in the world.

OPENING SONG: Welcome to this Circle
Welcome to this circle
where love and grace abound.
We honor your journey, and wherever you are bound.
We will walk beside you, encourage you on your way,
celebrate your spirit and hold you as we pray.

There is love for one like you.
There is grace enough to see you through.
And wherever you have walked, whatever path you choose
May you know there is love for one like you.

FIRST READING: Peter Stanford
Angels are central to that same history of yearning and the search to connect the visible with invisible. In cultures stretching back tens of thousands of years, there have been winged creatures who serve the gods and who make a bridge, or ladder, between the divine realm and the earthly one.

SUNG PSALM OPENING
O Love, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Repeat)

PSALM 91: All Who Dwell
All who dwell in the shelter, the refuge of God Most High
You will rest in the shadow of God the Almighty One
I will say that the Lord is my fortress in whom I trust
Surely God will protect you from trouble all through…
From the snare of the fowler, from pestilence deadly and dark
Under wings of protection, your God will draw you close
You’ll not fear the night, for God’s faithfulness shields you from harm
Surely God will protect you from trouble all through…
The terrors of night and the arrows that fly by day
A thousand may fall at your right, and ten thousand beside
But they will not come near you; the Lord is your refuge and might
Surely God will protect you from trouble all through your life
The angels will lift you, your foot will not strike a stone
Though you tread on a lion, it will not hunt you down
For God will protect you, beloved, and answer your cry
Surely God will protect you from trouble all through your life

SUNG DOXOLOGY
Glory to the Maker, Lover, and Keeper; as ago, in this breath, and will be ever. Amen, Amen.

SECOND READING: Genesis 28:10-12
He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

SILENT CONTEMPLATION

PRAYERS OF CONCERN
Divine Love, how often I forget the presence and protection of the Archangels. When I am afraid, help me to call upon Archangel Michael’s might, and grant me courage. Give me the grace to remember that I am so much stronger than I realize. I have stores of strength yet to draw from.

Sung Response O God of Love, circle and protect us.

Creator/Creatrix, you sent the Archangel Gabriel to visit Mary and herald the arrival of Jesus. Send them to us that we may give birth to music, dance, and art, to ideas, writing, and teaching, and whatever creative thing we set our heart and mind to create. Help us be who we are, and be that well, following the North Star that you placed before us. We are listening for your divine messages. Help us to always hear you with clarity.

Sung Response O God of Love, circle and protect us.

Blessed Healer, so many things ail us. We often have need of physical healing, but our hearts, minds, and spirits grow weary, sicken, and even die, too. We ask that you make haste to send Archangel Raphael to bring healing of whatever kind we have need for our aid. Help us also to remember to rest and be restored, and take time as often as needed to care for ourselves. We neglect our bodies sometimes. Teach us to be instruments of our own healing.

Sung Response O God of Love, circle and protect us.

Please add the prayers you are longing to express.

Sung Response O God of Love, circle and protect us.

CLOSING SONG: Archangel Invocation
Come Michael.
Come Gabriel.
Come Raphael.
Come Uriel.

Verses:
1. Be by my side, there’s a place for you here.
Be by my side, there’s a place for you here.

2. Help me to heal and share light in my world.
Help me to heal and share light in my world.

3. Rest in my eyes and my ears and my touch.
Rest in my eyes and my ears and my touch.

4. Compassion and wonder and healing and grace.
Compassion and wonder and healing and grace.

CLOSING BLESSING
Blessing of the Archangels
This blessing rises on the wings of the archangels.
In moments of vulnerability,
may Michael protect you from harm.
Feel his wings surround you,
shielding you from arrows of doubt, despair,
ill will and manipulation.
May he help you to know your own strength
emerging from within like a storm
gathering force, a fierceness to shelter
what and whom you love most.
When you cross that final luminous threshold
into the next life
may Michael companion you
and bring you courage to open your eyes
and heart wide, to step into a new adventure.

In moments of discernment,
may you listen for Gabriel’s call,
appearing as he did to Zechariah and Mary.
Receive him as divine messenger
and summon your courage
to offer your heartfelt yes
to this holy birthing.
When visions come in night dreams
and day-wondering, call on Gabriel
to help you listen for the meaning,
to unlock symbols like an ancient map
pointing the way ahead.

In moments of wounding and illness,
may you experience the healing force of Raphael
who stirred the waters at the Pool of Bethesda
restoring all to wholeness again.
Call on him to help knit together every rupture,
to return every ache to aliveness,
every disease to vibrancy.
And in the absence of cure,
may Raphael bring the gentle healing
of spirit, a heart expanded,
an embrace of tears and laughter.

In moments of confusion
and seasons of change
may you embrace the wisdom of Uriel
named the Light-Bringer
guiding you along the path.
Wisdom comes from lived experience,
a deep inner knowing of life’s meaning
wrought from struggle and challenge.
Let Uriel help you stay present
in the midst of a difficult season,
help you to see the grace at work
amidst the sorrow and loss.
May he bring clarity and a renewed heart.

May the archangels surround you,
uplift you, guide you, and heal you.
May you know their luminous presence
at every season of your life.

SUNG AMEN