When we drive into San Francisco across the Bay Bridge, my wife and I begin to pray to the “parking angels” in the middle of the span. We ask them to be sure and save a parking space for us if possible. I used to think we were the only ones who did this. Such angels must have become popular and beloved for their usefulness in handling congested downtown situations because I’ve overheard other friends refer to their prayers to the parking angels. It’s uncanny how often these supplications (my wife prefers this term over prayers) seem to work! We make sure to offer our thanks afterwards.

The Urantia Book, (The UB) offers this definition: “In this paper the word "angel" is purposely limited to the designation of those seraphic and associated offspring of the Universe Mother Spirit who are so largely concerned with the operation of the plans of mortal survival.” (38:3.1)

We are taught that angels do encourage us to pray. “The impulse of worship largely originates in the spirit promptings of the higher mind adjutants, reinforced by the leadings of the Adjuster. But the urge to pray so often experienced by God-conscious mortals very often arises as the result of seraphic influence. The guarding seraphim is constantly manipulating the mortal environment for the purpose of augmenting the cosmic insight of the human ascender to the end that such a survival candidate may acquire enhanced realization of the presence of the indwelling Adjuster and thus be enabled to yield increased co-operation with the spiritual mission of the divine presence.” (The Urantia Book, The UB, 113:4.4)

Okay … so in that very long last sentence of Paper 113 above, The UB strives to upstep our understanding, instructing us that we don’t properly pray to angels directly, although the seraphim do respond by guiding us into prayers to the indwelling divine presence. Their only manipulations of “the mortal environment” (the saving of parking spaces for instance) are made for our gain of more insight into the spirit guide’s presence. It seems those precious automobile billets we miraculously discover curbside are found by mere coincidence!

We know, if we think about it honestly, that we must admit there are many times the prayers for a parking space don’t work. It would be rather strange if they always did. That would be like having a magic lamp complete with genie to grant wishes. We do learn however that the angels “really know and truly understand you,” (9:0.3) and thus are truly sympathetic to our material needs. In my prayer life, I found that I’ve overlooked far too often the help of the seraphim. I try to remember to include them, especially when I need help on the earth plane, and I’m seeking a solution to a life problem (insights into the solution, of course!)

 “Angels do not have material bodies, but they are definite and discrete beings; they are of spirit nature and origin. Though invisible to mortals, they perceive you as you are in the flesh without the aid of transformers or translators.”  (38:2.1)

That’s an interesting statement when we read how physical controllers are needed to facilitate communication between Urantia mortals and universe beings.

“They intellectually understand the mode of mortal life, and they share all of man's non-sensuous emotions and sentiments. They appreciate and greatly enjoy your efforts in music, art, and real humor. They are fully cognizant of your moral struggles and spiritual difficulties. They love human beings, and only good can result from your efforts to understand and love them.” (Ibid)

Yes, we seek to know and love them. One morning, while on my way to join other volunteers working The Urantia Book booth at a “Body, Mind Expo,” in San Jose, I decided my guardian seraphim and I should hang out together on the drive down. It was a beautiful spring day to enjoy the scenery. We appreciated the oak-covered savannahs, the spring-green hills of Sunol Canyon, and our mutual affection. I could feel they were full of anticipation of the day ahead, feelings that were contagious. I got caught up in the excitement about the contacts we’d make with other truth seekers at the fair. The day turned out to be a delightful one of queries, conversations, friendly disagreements with Hindu Indians, physical therapists, psychic readers, and many stimulating meetings with new and different kinds of people.

We are going to be friends and companions with our guardian seraphim for a long time, perhaps not for eternity, but for “many an age.” It’s interesting to learn that, “your first assignment of the morontia life [will] be as assistants to the seraphim in the immediate work awaiting at the time you attain personality consciousness.” (113:7.3) What could that work be, one wonders?

“In the life of the flesh the intelligence of angels is not directly available to mortal men. They are not overlords or directors; they are simply guardians. The seraphim guard you; they do not seek directly to influence you; you must chart your own course, but these angels then act to make the best possible use of the course you have chosen. … They are the beings who are going to follow you for many an age, and they are thus receiving an introduction to their future work and personality association.” (113:5.4)

Incidentally, my wife disagrees with one part of my thesis. She says her requests for a parking space in San Francisco nearly always work.