Holy Spirit or Guardian Angel?

Something a friend emailed me earlier today spawned this post.  Let me frame the question:  When you need guidance, to whom do you pray - the Holy Spirit or your Guardian Angel?

I never directly ask my Guardian Angel to do anything for me - or the Blessed Mother or any of the saints for that matter.  I ask them to intercede, to pray for my needs and others.  The Book of Revelation shows the saints and angels offering our petitions to God (Rev.5:8; 8:4), and the angels carrying out missions at God's command; but Scripture never portrays them simply responding to requests a person directed toward them.

Each of us has a guardian angel, from the moment of birth until death (Mt.18:10; CCC 336).  God has entrusted us to their care.  Like a good "babysitter," they take their orders from the Parent, not the child.  (Angels execute the will of God, not ours - thank Goodness.)  We ask them to intercede for us, but we don't issue them directives.  I ask the Lord to protect me and guide me through the work of my angel.  I have also asked my angel to intercede for these things, "Please ask the Lord to empower you to protect me in this situation," and "Please ask the Lord that He allow you to guide me through this."

Most of the time however I simply ask God for His help.  I ask the Holy Spirit to give me His grace - illumination to know what I need to do and the strength to do it.  I leave it up to the Lord whether He chooses to effect these things directly in my soul, or whether he does so through the mediation of my angel.  It's the Lord who answers the prayer.  He may do it with His "bare Hand," or a with a gloved hand (my guardian angel), but it's ultimately His action.  

Painting by Pedro Berruguete

Reflect on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane:

[He] knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (Lk.22:41-43).

1) He petitioned the Father, and 2) even though His human soul was united to His Divine Person, his soul was strengthened for what lay ahead through the mediation of an angel.  If such was the case for Jesus, I have to imagine it is for you and me from time to time too.  So ask the Holy Spirit for His inspiration, allow Him to deliver it how He wishes, and give Him thanks when it comes.  (And every now and then thank your angel for how he faithfully loves you and delivers God's helps.)