Over the centuries, many Roman Catholics (as well as those in other Christian denominations and other faiths) have developed a devotion to angels, those purely spiritual beings who preceded the creation of humans and serve as our protectors and as messengers from God to us. Special devotion is given to the four angels who are spoken of in Scripture:
Saint Michael the Archangel, who is the leader of the angelic hosts against the forces of evil. Saint Gabriel the Archangel, who brought the news of the Annunciation to Mary of Nazareth. Saint Raphael the Archangel, who accompanied young Tobias on his trip in the Book of Tobit. Our Guardian Angel, who protects each of us during our entire lifetime from birth to death.
Here is a collection from a variety of sources of prayers, litanies, chaplets, novenas, and other devotions to each of these angels, compiled by Luis Valverde and accompanied by magnificent classical images of each of the four angels. These prayers are meant for both individuals and groups and can be used in many situations and for many purposes. Saint Michael can be invoked for his intercession with God in our fight against temptation and evil; Saint Gabriel for our struggle to understand and do the will of God; Saint Raphael for companionship and safety on our journeys; and Our Guardian Angel for protection, especially of children, and for a happy death.
Jesus said, "You must love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." - Luke10:27
If one had to choose a single verse in the Bible that is a formula for successful living, this would be the one to live by, says Joyce Meyer: love God, yourself and others - in that order.
Many Christians get mixed up about love. They know they should love God and others, but many do not understand that loving oneself is one-third of God's equation. They mistakenly think of it as selfishness or self-aggrandizement.
Joyce Meyer believes that this misconception is one of the greatest pitfalls in the Christian journey. Loving oneself in a balanced, healthy manner is essential in order to have healthy relationships with God, ourselves and others.
Drawing upon her previous work and teaching series as well as original devotions, the author of Power Thoughts examines the three loves that we've been commanded to exhibit.
This book provides Catholics who pray before the Real Presence with a new and unique resource to deepen their adoration experience and do so within the Franciscan tradition. Each of 52 reflections for Eucharistic Adoration--one for each week of the year--features four parts that address the spiritual advice of St. Clare to gaze, consider, contemplate, and imitate Christ. Each reflection encourages us to:
Gaze upon Christ, using a quote from a Franciscan source, primarily the letters of Clare of Assisi, but also the writings of St. Francis. Consider Christ, using a brief reflection that will inspire you to reverence the Real Presence, the Body and Blood of Christ. Contemplate Christ, by praying a few lines that help you go deeply into the spiritual experience of adoration. Imitate Christ in your daily life with a challenge to act like Christ after time spent in adoration.
