Yes, of course…
I understand why many Christians hesitate when they see prayers like the St. Michael Prayer, because it appears to address someone other than God. But the key is to understand what kind of “address” this is.
Biblically, it’s not wrong to ask angels to act according to their God-given roles — provided the prayer itself acknowledges that their power and authority come from God alone. In Revelation 12:7–9, Michael is indeed described as leading the heavenly host in battle against Satan. Psalm 91:11 says, “He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” So the idea of angels as God’s instruments of protection is fully scriptural.
However, Scripture never shows anyone directly praying to angels. When John bowed before an angel in Revelation 19:10, the angel immediately stopped him: “Worship God!” The early Church Fathers, too, were clear that angels are ministering servants, not mediators of prayer. So, while one may recite this prayer devotionally as a reminder of God’s protection and Michael’s role in spiritual warfare, it shouldn’t replace direct prayer to God Himself.
In essence, if a believer prays this as, “Lord, through Your servant Michael, defend us,” then it’s theologically sound, an intercessory request within the order God has established. But if it slips into treating Michael as an independent power, it crosses into unbiblical ground.
Now, there is an interesting background to this prayer…
It was written by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 after a mysterious event following Mass. According to eyewitnesses, Leo XIII collapsed and appeared dead for several minutes. When he revived, he recounted a terrifying vision of Satan standing before God, requesting permission to test and destroy the Church within a century, much like Job 1–2. Deeply shaken, Leo composed the St. Michael Prayer as a spiritual weapon against the powers of darkness. He ordered it to be prayed after every Low Mass, a custom that endured for decades.
The prayer itself is theologically structured. Notice the order:
- It begins with a petition to St. Michael in his biblical role as “Prince of the Heavenly Host” (Revelation 12:7).
- It immediately turns toward God’s authority: “May God rebuke him, we humbly pray.”
- And it concludes with a plea that Michael, by the power of God, would cast down Satan and his angels, echoing Luke 10:18 (“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”).
So, even though it addresses Michael, it does not pray to him in the worshipful sense. It’s an intercessory, battle-ready supplication, always under the sovereignty of God.
Those involved in solemn exorcism ministry, from the Rituale Romanum to modern accounts like Fr. Gabriele Amorth (chief exorcist of Rome), consistently note that invoking St. Michael’s name causes marked agitation among possessing spirits.
When an exorcist commands, “By the power of God, through St. Michael the Archangel, I command you…”, demonic entities often manifest with intense resistance, growling, screaming, or violently thrashing the possessed body. Why? Because the Archangel’s very name is a theological rebuke.
“Mi-ka-El” in Hebrew means “Who is like God?” — the very cry that shattered Lucifer’s rebellion. Every mention of that name recalls the moment the prideful spirit of light was cast from heaven (Revelation 12:9). Thus, invoking Michael is not mere ritual, it is a declaration that Satan is defeated, that heaven still stands victorious, and that Christ reigns through His servants.
Demons loathe St. Michael not because he acts independently of God, but because he embodies obedience to God, the exact opposite of demonic rebellion. In the Gospels, demons flee at Christ’s command (Mark 1:27), but in exorcistic tradition, they also recoil when His angels are invoked to carry out His will (cf. Matthew 26:53).
CSSML: Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux (May the Holy Cross be my Light)
NDSMD: Non Drace Sit Mihi Dux (Let not the dragon be my guide)
VRS: Vade Retro Satana (Step Back Satan!)
NSMV: Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana (Never tempt me with vain things)
SMQL: Sunt Mala Quae Libas (What you offer me is evil)
IVB: Ipse Venena Bibas (Drink the poison yourself)
Here is the long version from Rituale Romanum (Excerpt from Exorcism of Satan and Fallen Angels):
St. Michael the Archangel, illustrious leader of the heavenly army, defend us in the battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of darkness and the spirit of wickedness in high places. Come to the rescue of mankind, whom God has made in His own image and likeness, and purchased from Satan’s tyranny at so great a price. Holy Church venerates you as her patron and guardian. The Lord has
entrusted to you the task of leading the souls of the redeemed to heavenly blessedness. Entreat the Lord of peace to cast Satan down under our feet, so as to keep him from further holding man captive and doing harm to the Church. Carry our prayers up to God’s throne, that the mercy of the Lord may quickly come and lay hold of the beast, the serpent of old, Satan and his demons, casting him in chains into the abyss, so that he
can no longer seduce the nations.
Those interested may consult the Rituale Romanum, wherein this prayer appears under the section on Exorcisms. However, it must be stated with utmost seriousness that such rites are strictly reserved to priests explicitly authorized by their bishop. To attempt them privately or without ecclesial mandate is both spiritually perilous and gravely irresponsible, as such actions can provoke unintended and harmful consequences. The excerpt shared here is provided solely for theological reflection and personal edification, not for practical use in spiritual combat.
