St Patrick's Prayer for our Quarantine and All our Sojourning on this Earth
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St PATRICK’S DAY has snuck up on me this year — so much stress and angst and change and distress because of the COVID-19 outbreak in the world and now in our beloved United States. But I realized that today more than ever we need the beautiful truths expressed in what is traditionally known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
St Patrick's Breastplate is a Celtic hymn, usually attributed to St Patrick, that is sung around his feast day (March 17th). There are many variations to this hymn.* But I have chosen a simple version to share with you.
Notice how the highlighted words (prepositions) show the close relationship to Christ that we believers enjoy. In a very real sense this is a celebration of what is already true. It’s also a prayer for our own realization of these wonderful truths.
Why not spend a bit of time meditating today, immersing yourselves in these truths and letting the imagery grab your heart, mind, and soul.
And PRAY!
PRAY that the enveloping Presence of Christ will be your experience today in the midst of your anxiety and uncertainty. Amen.
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me, shield in the strife;
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising, light of my life.
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.
* There are many variations of wording to St Patrick’s Breastplate.
HOLY SPIRIT, LIVING BREATH OF GOD
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.
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
© 2006 Thankyou Music
St Patrick’s Breastplate and prepositions from Scripture expressing oneness with our God are found in my devotional/Bible study book. If you enjoy this post and our Lenten Series, why not take a peek at the book. For a video, endorsements, ordering info, and study helps, see the “With-ness of our God” page above and for a Kirkus Review, click on the following link. Thanks so much.
