Angels have no gender, although the three most famous angels have masculine names—Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. Although some people give their guardian angel a name, I never have. But if I’d give a name, I will call her “Val, my pal.” Why would I give her my name in shortened form? Well, I think God creates guardian angels with specific abilities like those of the person they will protect and inspire. Something like a perfect match or a spiritual twin.

My guardian angel is quite busy. All angels are, but not only in the way cartoons usually depict them like averting disaster. There are other ways; for example, my angel gives me messages. Perhaps messages come from God through the angels as intermediaries, but maybe they’re very direct. I pray the Guardian Angel prayer when I get into a car. Thoughts come to me and I think of deer, and there’s a deer on the side of the road and I slow down. When I pray “to whom God’s love entrusts me here,” I imagine God handing me over to Angel Val and saying, “Take care of her, enlighten her mind, increase God’s goodness in her.”

Thoughts about doing good deeds, holding back hurtful words, sacrificing my time or money: they may be gifts from my pal Val. Have you ever consulted your angel before making a decision? Try it the next time you don’t know what to make for dinner.

The best part of the Guardian Angel prayer is the Amen. “Amen” is not a notification like “Hey, God” or “Hey, Angel, I’m done praying.” It means I trust, I agree, I believe. It’s like a stamp of approval that the guardian angel has my back.