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The pastor shares regarding prayer

“Breastplate prayer” of Patrick from Ireland

          During the so-called “Dark Ages”, between the fall of Rome and the rise of the Middle Ages, Christians from the Celtic tribes of England and Ireland fanned out across Europe establishing evangelistic centers.  One of the most celebrated was the Irish monk, Patrick.  Here is a part of his famous “breastplate prayer” for protection in spiritual warfare.

“I arise today through the mighty strength,

the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Three-ness,

 through confession of the Oneness,

of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today through the strength

of Christ’s birth, with His baptism,

Through the strength of His crucifixion

with His burial,

Through the strength of His resurrection

with His ascension,

Through the strength of His descent

for the coming judgment.

I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me;

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s wisdom to guide me,

God’s eye to look before me,

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak to me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s shield to protect me,

God’s host to save me from the snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

from everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near, alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers to stand

between me and those evils,

against every cruel merciless power

that may oppose my body and soul,

against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today,

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity.

Through belief in the Three-ness,

through confession of the Oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.”