St. Michael the Archangel - Defend Us in Our Battle Against Abortion

In the book of Revelation we read of the battle between the angels lead by the archangel Michael & Satan & his minions. (Rev 12:7-8, see also Dan 12:1) These Scriptures are the basis for the Catholic tradition of invoking the aide of St. Michael in our battles against Satan, demons & the various evils that we face in this world. It is also why when St. Michael is depicted in art he is usually depicted as being victorious in battle over Satan (often times specifically symbolized as a dragon). Pope Leo XII felt so strongly about the importance of invoking St. Michael's aide that he wrote a prayer that he then required to be said after every low Mass. It is still said after Mass in many Catholic Churches. & it is still said by many Catholics daily as a part of their personal prayer time.

Those angels whose names we know don't tell us so much something about them as what their ministry/role of service that they were given by God is. The name Michael is Hebrew for "Who is like God?" & that tells use a lot about his ministry as leader of the angels who do spiritual battle for us believers. His name is a battle-cry that reminds us that no matter how strong or powerful any evil is, God is mightier. & that in the end that evil will be defeated by those whom God has called to battle this evil.

1 of the most demonic evils out there today is abortion. & those of use who are battling this evil need to use every tool out there to battle this evil. while protesting, working for pro-life candidates, providing abortion alternatives, healing for those who have been hurt by abortion & the other actions we need to take are important, unless they are undergirded by prayer they will never accomplish all that God desires of those efforts.

Recently Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer of Human Life International has announced a 9-month prayer campaign to battle abortion, St. Michael Prayer Campaign '07. Fr. Euteneuer explains why HLI feels doing this is important:

"The Church teaches us that our pro-life efforts must begin with prayer. The spiritual miracle of conversions like Dr. Bernard Nathanson's are a cause of great rejoicing. HLI is blessed to have seen this happen around the world. These former abortionists have joined us as powerful allies in defense of innocent human life.

It is our Christian duty to pray for those who are trapped in the culture of death. Please join us in 2007 as we ask God to touch the hearts of more abortionists through the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer."

The call is to daily pray the Prayer to St. Michael from the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March to Christmas Day, 25 December. They have prepared a special prayer card that can be ordered at their St. Michael Campaign website. This card can be distributed at your prayer group, Bible Study or (with your pastor's permission) at your parish. This card has a beautiful picture of St. Michael triumphant over Satan on 1 side & Pope Leo's prayer on the other side. Or you can print out a copy of this prayer (currently available in English & Spanish) on the website.

"Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.

And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,

by the power of God,

cast into Hell Satan and all evil spirits

who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. "

The battle against abortion IS a battle against evil. It IS a Spiritual battle. & God has called ALL of us to be warriors in this battle. There is 1 part of this battle that all of us are called to be involved in no matter what else we may be called to do. & that is the call to be a prayer warrior. Here is a very important way to help fullfill that part that part of the call.