For this Friday in Lent, given the proximity of Saint Patrick’s day (one day over) here’s another prayer attributed to this Irish saint.  I first heard this from the angelic voice of Lisa Kelly, one of the Celtic Women, singing ‘The Deer’s Cry’ on her CD.  (we are groupies of these Irish ladies. wow, can they sing!) … the words are taken from the longer prayer traditionally known as…

…Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

… I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of sun,
Radiance 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 to 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,

.. Against every cruel merciless
power that may oppose 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 women and
smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge
that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poisoning, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So there 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 every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye of every one who 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.

Andreas F. Borchert: St. Joseph's Church, County Tipperary, Ireland

grace, peace & Irish Prayers

Virginia : )

p.s. if you want to listen to the Deer’s Cry (so beautifully inspirational!), click here for a YouTube link with Lisa Kelly singing:   www.YouTube.com – I Arise today…