Inspiration: A Prayer for Protection

On this 17 ^th day of March, a day which is usually uproariously festive, many of us are not feeling light-hearted enough to dance a jig. Weighed down with concerns, we need more than luck and leprechauns to see us through. The prayer attributed to St. Patrick seems to be quite fitting. (I am especially partial to the third stanza.)

Known as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” it is a request for God’s protection during a battle. It is a requisition of a Kevlar vest. It is a plea to be shielded at the core, at the very center of one’s vitality. For all who are wary of exposure to the invisible forces of a microscopic virus, for all who are imperiled by its economic destruction, and for all who feel cutoff and vulnerable, let God’s care be your reinforcement:

I bind this day to me forever

By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;

His baptism in Jordan river;

His death on cross for my salvation;

His bursting up from the spiced tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;

I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today.

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, his might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need,

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, his shield to ward;

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name,

The strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The three in one, and one in three.

Of whom all nature has creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word,

Praise to the Lord of my salvation;

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

In Faith,