Holy Angel, stand before my soul more dearly and more passionately than my life, do not forsake me, a sinner, nor depart from me for my intemperance. Do not give room to the evil demon to possess me through the violence of this mortal body; strengthen my poor and thin hand, and guide me on the path of salvation. To her, holy Angel of God, guardian and patron of my accursed soul and body, forgive me everything, I have offended you greatly all the days of my life, and if I sinned this past night, cover me this day, and save me from every opposite temptation, so that in no sin I anger God, and pray for me Lord, may he strengthen me in His passion and show me worthy as a servant of His goodness. Amen.
Forthcoming - upcoming. More wretched - unfortunate, poor, full of struggle. More passionate - here: long-suffering, unhappy (remember that passion means suffering); however, it is slavery to sinful passions that is the main source of unhappiness in human life. Below - and nothing. Evil - evil, deceitful. Strengthen my poor and thin hand, and guide me on the path of salvation - in the Greek text of the prayer literally: “take me by the unfortunate and drooping (weak-willed) hand and lead me to the path of salvation”; the image of a man who has lost his will and energy, with “drooping” hands, unable to independently get out on the path of salvation is given. To her - yes, truly (cf. colloquial: “she-she”). All... great things I have insulted you with - everything with which I have insulted you (great - how many, how great). Cover - cover, protect. Opposite - opposing, enemy. She will show me worthy as a servant of His goodness - she will make me a slave worthy of His mercy (to show usually does not mean “to bring to an external likeness,” as in modern language, but “to make obvious”).
+ “Know that the Angels excite us to prayer and stand with us in it, rejoicing and praying together for us. So, if we are careless and accept contrary thoughts, then we extremely anger them: for while they struggle so much for us, we do not want to beg God for ourselves, but, neglecting our service to God and abandoning their God and Master, we carry on a conversation with unclean demons (in our thoughts).”
Venerable Neil of Sinai