St. Michael Novena — Day 4: Family

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Day Four. Tonight, Saint Michael, I bring you my family. The Book of Genesis tells us that family is the first community God designed. It is also the first place the enemy attacks. From Cain and Abel onward, the family has been a battleground, but also the place where God most powerfully reveals His love. Saint Michael, defender of God's people, defend my family. Defend my marriage, if I am married. Stand against every spirit of division that tries to split us. Every misunderstanding that magnifies into resentment. Every old wound that resurfaces under stress. Drive them out, Michael. Knit our hearts back together. Defend my children. They are growing up in a world that wars for their souls. The screens. The pressures. The lies they are told about who they are. The temptations that come earlier than I expected. Stand at the doors of their hearts. Drive away the influences that would harm them. Send angels to walk beside them in every place I cannot follow. Defend my parents, if they are still living. Honor flows back to them through me. As they age, give them dignity. Protect them from loneliness. Protect them from fear of dying. Walk with them as their bodies weaken. Defend my parents, if they have passed. Pray that perpetual light shines upon them. If they are being purified, may the prayers of the Church speed their journey to the face of God. Defend my siblings. The ones who shared my childhood. The ones who knew me before I knew myself. Heal old wounds. Build bridges where there is distance. Where there is rivalry, build love. Defend my extended family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws. The wide net of people I am connected to whether by choice or by blood. Especially the ones who are far from God. The ones who do not pray. The ones who are bitter or hurt or addicted. Send them helpers. Send them moments of grace. Defend the family You will give me, if I do not yet have one. The future spouse, if marriage is my vocation. The children that will come. Prepare them now, even before I meet them, with Your protection and Your blessing. Saint Michael, place a hedge of protection around my whole family tree. From the ancestors who have come before to the generations that have not yet been born. Let the chain of grace flow through my prayers. I pray the Saint Michael prayer. Saint Michael the 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 hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. My family intentions tonight. (Pause and name them.) Day Five tomorrow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.