May 8, 2024
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Saint Patrick's Breastplate is a prayer attributed to one of Ireland’s most beloved patron saints. According to tradition, Saint Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. before attempting to convert the Irish king and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. Patrick was successful and went on to lead the Irish people away from paganism and into relationship with Jesus Christ.
Saint Patrick’s Breastplate is a prayer for God’s protection from evil. Just as a breastplate is a garment worn for protection in battle, this prayer has been recited by Christians over the centuries to ask for victory in spiritual warfare. Christians today continue to pray this prayer for God’s protection during spiritual battles.
Jesus Christ said, “… I will build my church …” Matthew 16:18, NIV. With the current condition of the world and the institutional church (as distinguished from the church Jesus is building), Patrick’s prayer is a mighty weapon of light for our arsenal against the powers of darkness:
Saint Patrick’s Breastplate
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’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 judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs.
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of the sun,
Radiance of the moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the 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 save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who desires me ill,
Afar and near.
Alone and in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils.
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul
Against incantations of false prophets.
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning.
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me 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 when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone 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.
Amen
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, pray for divine protection!
PRAYER
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!