Many of us learned a guardian angel prayer before we could tie our shoes. A parent knelt beside the bed, folded our small hands, and taught us to ask God’s angel to stay close through the night. Those words often stay with us for life.
Below you will find the traditional “Angel of God” prayer, what the Bible says about angels, original prayers for children, travel, work, the sick, and loved ones far away, and tips for teaching children to pray.
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11 (KJV)
A Short Guardian Angel Prayer
Lord God, thank You for the angel You have sent to watch over me. Keep me close to You today, guard me from harm, and help me listen when You call me to do what is right. I give You all the glory. Amen.
The Traditional “Angel of God” Prayer
This is the best-known guardian angel prayer in the Catholic tradition.
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. (traditional prayer)
At night, many families say “this night” instead of “this day.”
What the Bible Says About Angels Watching Over Us
In Exodus 23:20, God tells Moses He is sending an angel ahead “to keep thee in the way.” Psalm 91:11 promises that God gives His angels charge over those who trust Him, and Psalm 34:7 says the angel of the Lord “encampeth round about them that fear him.” Hebrews 1:14 calls angels “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister” to God’s people.
In Matthew 18:10, Jesus says of little ones that “in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father.” The Church has long read this as a sign that each person has an angel watching over them.
Feast of the Guardian Angels: October 2
The Catholic Church honors guardian angels with a feast day on October 2, just after the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29. It is a lovely day to teach the prayer to a child. See our October prayers and blessings.
A Gentle Word About Angels
Angels are servants of God, not objects of worship. When the apostle John fell down before an angel, the angel stopped him and said, “worship God” (Revelation 22:9). Catholics ask their angels to pray for them, as they ask Mary and the saints, but worship belongs to God alone. If you are a Protestant reader, you are welcome to pray these words directly to God and thank Him for the care of His angels.
It is also wise to avoid New Age ideas such as angel numbers or rituals for “learning your angel’s name.” The Church discourages giving personal names to our guardian angels; the only angel names we use are the three found in Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Guardian Angel Prayers for Children and Family
1. A Child’s Bedtime Guardian Angel Prayer
Dear God, thank You for my guardian angel. Please let my angel stay with me while I sleep. Keep bad dreams away and help me rest in Your love. Bless my family and all my friends. If I did something wrong today, I am sorry. Tomorrow, help me be kind and brave and good to everyone. Thank You, Jesus, for loving me so much. Good night, God. Good night, angel. Amen.
2. Prayer for My Children’s Guardian Angels
Heavenly Father, You love my children even more than I do. Thank You for giving each of them an angel to watch over them. Where I cannot go, let Your angels guard them: at school, on the playground, in the car, and with friends I do not know. When they are tempted, help them hear Your quiet voice. Keep them close to Jesus all their lives, and bring us all home to You one day. Amen.
For more prayers like this, see our prayers for children.
3. Prayer for a Loved One Far Away
Lord, my loved one is far from me tonight, and I cannot hug them or see their face. But nothing is far from You. Please send Your angel to watch over them where they are. Keep them safe in their home, their work, their travels, and their faith. When they feel lonely or homesick, comfort them with Your peace. Until we are together again, hold us both in Your care. Amen.
Guardian Angel Prayers for Daily Life
4. Morning Prayer for Your Guardian Angel’s Help
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for keeping me safe through the night and for this new day. Let my guardian angel go before me and walk beside me. Guard my words so I do not hurt anyone. Help me notice someone who needs kindness today, and give me courage to help. Guard my eyes from what is harmful and my heart from fear. Whatever comes, keep me close to You. Amen.
Pair this with our morning prayers for a fuller start to your day.
5. Guardian Angel Prayer for Travel
Lord Jesus, I am about to travel, and I place this journey in Your hands. As You sent Your angel before Your people to keep them in the way, please send Your angel with me now. Keep me alert on the road, calm in delays, and patient with other travelers. Guard my home and family while I am gone. Bring me safely to where I am going and safely back again. I trust You with every mile. Amen.
6. Prayer for Protection at Work
Father, as I begin my work today, I ask for Your protection. Send Your angel to watch over me on the job, in machines and traffic, in hard conversations, and in long hours. Keep my coworkers safe too. Help me do honest work, follow safety rules, and speak up when something is wrong. When I am tired, give me strength. Let my work honor You and provide for the people I love. Amen.
7. Prayer for Someone in the Hospital
Merciful God, my loved one is in the hospital, and I am worried. Please send Your angel to sit beside their bed tonight. Calm their fears, ease their pain, and give them rest. Guide the hands and minds of the doctors and nurses who care for them, and help us follow their advice wisely. Whatever happens, let my loved one know they are not alone. We place them in Your loving hands. Amen.
A Prayer of Thanks for God’s Angels
8. Thanking God for His Angels
Lord God, Creator of all things seen and unseen, thank You for Your holy angels. Thank You for the many times they guarded me when I did not even know I was in danger. Let me never take this gift for granted, and never give to an angel the worship that belongs to You alone, my Lord and my God. Like the angels, may I serve You gladly and praise You forever. Amen.
How to Teach Children the Guardian Angel Prayer
Children learn prayer best when it feels warm, simple, and part of daily life:
- Start with one line at a time. Teach “Angel of God, my guardian dear” for a few nights before adding the next line.
- Make it part of bedtime. Say it after the story and before lights out, every night. Our prayer before bed has more ideas.
- Explain the hard words. “Commits” means God has placed you in your angel’s care.
- Keep the focus on God. Say something like, “God loves you so much that He gave you an angel to help you.”
- Avoid scary talk. Don’t use the angel as a threat (“your angel is watching you misbehave”). The angel is a friend God sends.
- Celebrate October 2. Read Matthew 18:10 together and let each child draw a picture of God’s care.
- Let older children pray in their own words. Once they know the traditional prayer, invite them to add a sentence of their own about their day.
Short Guardian Angel Prayers to Share
- Lord, thank You for the angel You sent to watch over me today. Amen.
- Angel of God, pray for me and keep me close to Jesus. Amen.
- Father, send Your angel to guard my children wherever they go. Amen.
- Lord, let Your angel go before me on this journey. Amen.
- God of all comfort, send Your angel to sit with the sick tonight. Amen.
- Lord, guard my loved one far away and bring them home safely. Amen.
- Father, keep me and my coworkers safe from harm today. Amen.
- Holy angels, praise God with me this morning. Amen.
- Lord, as I lie down to sleep, let Your angels watch over my home. Amen.
- Thank You, God, for every danger Your angels kept from me. Amen.
Bible Verses for Guardian Angels
- Psalm 91:11 – “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
- Psalm 34:7 – “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
- Matthew 18:10 – “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
- Hebrews 1:14 – “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
- Exodus 23:20 – “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.”
- Psalm 4:8 – “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
All verses quoted from the King James Version (KJV).
FAQs About the Guardian Angel Prayer
What is the most common guardian angel prayer?
The most common is the traditional “Angel of God, my guardian dear” prayer. It is short and easy for children to memorize.
Is it okay to pray to my guardian angel?
Catholics ask their guardian angel to pray for them and help them, the same way they ask a saint or a friend to pray for them. This is not worship, which belongs to God alone. You can also simply ask God to send His angels to guard you.
Should I give my guardian angel a name?
No. The Church discourages naming guardian angels. Scripture only gives us the names Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. “My guardian angel” is enough.
Will a guardian angel prayer keep me from all harm?
No prayer comes with a guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen. A guardian angel prayer is an act of trust: we place ourselves in God’s hands and ask for His help, knowing He is with us in every situation. For more, see our prayer for protection.
A Final Guardian Angel Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for never leaving me alone. From my first day of life, You gave me an angel to light my path and guard my steps. Watch over my family, my friends, and everyone I have prayed for today. When I am afraid, remind me that Your angels surround those who trust You. And at the end of my life, may Your angels lead me safely home to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏
You may also like: St. Michael prayer, prayer for safe travel and night prayer for protection.
More Catholic Prayers and Saints
- Prayer to Mother Mary
- How to Pray the Rosary
- St. Michael Prayer
- Prayer to St. Jude
- Prayer to St. Anthony
- Prayer to St. Joseph
- St. Rita Prayer
- St. Peregrine Prayer
- St. Joseph of Cupertino Prayer
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer
- All Souls Day Prayer
Naeem Khan creates faith-based and inspirational content focused on prayers, blessings, and spiritual reflections, helping readers apply timeless messages of faith to everyday life.
Every prayer and scripture reference published on Infoz Prayer is reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and appropriate context before publication. Bible and Quran verses are quoted from established translations, and articles are updated regularly to keep information accurate and helpful.