The Call to Morning Prayer with St Patrick's Breastplate
/The indwelling Holy Spirit calls to my soul in the early morn to turn my thoughts toward Him and away from the anxieties, fears, stresses, and “to do lists” of my weak, broken and “know it all” flesh.
With every morn my life afresh must break
The crust of self, gathered about me fresh;
That thy wind-spirit may rush in and shake
The darkness out of me, and rend the mesh
The spider-devils spin out of the flesh—
Eager to net the soul before it wake.
That it may slumberous lie, and listen to the snake.
("Fifteen Minutes to Freedom" by George MacDonald)
So I return day after day to my "just as I'm awaking," Holy Spirit-initiated prayer:
Lord, YOU are my King! I am your servant.
I serve at YOUR pleasure and for your YOUR purpose. (Acts 13:36)
Unfold YOUR fullness in my life today. (John 1:16; Colossians 1)
Live through me, love through me, serve through me for YOUR honor and glory. Amen.
And I realize and experience His Presence as a cocoon around me.
Thank you, Lord!
HOLY SPIRIT, LIVING BREATH OF GOD
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
© 2006 Thankyou Music
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
Holy Spirit, come abide within;
May Your joy be seen in all I do—
Love enough to cover ev'ry sin In each thought and deed and attitude,
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my striving into works of grace.
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.
Holy Spirit, from creation's birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show your power once again on earth;
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see.
St Patrick's Breastplate
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,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone 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.