“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
I recently ran across this beautiful prayer. It is rather long and most often well known for one particular verse. It is the next to the last verse and begins, “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me…” The entire prayer is really one affirmation after another. If you are not familiar with Saint Patrick, other than the March 17th, wear green and drink green beer celebration, then this is a beautiful insight into his faith. This wonderful prayer can be recited at any time, in any need, but is also beautiful as a morning prayer to begin each day. There are shorter versions which can be found on-line if desired. My favorite verse is, “I arise today, through the strength of Heaven: light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire, speed of Lightening, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea, stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.” How could one not feel totally energized and confident to face the day! It is believed that Saint Patrick recited the prayer in preparation for conquering paganism. Let it be a breastplate for each of us who fight against Satan and his evil.
The Breastplate of Saint Patrick
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ 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 Judgment of Doom.I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.I arise today, through the strength of Heaven:
light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendour of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.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 for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to secure me:
against snares of devils, against temptations of vices,
against inclinations of nature, against everyone who
shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.I summon today all these powers between me (and these evils):
against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and my soul, against incantations of false prophets,
against black laws of heathenry,
against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry,
against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
against every knowledge that endangers man’s body and soul.
Christ to protect me today
against poison, against burning,
against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come abundance of reward.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 in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May Thy Salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.
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