Saint Patrick’s “Breastplate” Prayer

October 5, 2018
10:17 am

Being married to an Irish man and having an interest in Celtic spirituality, the familiar words of St. Patrick’s “Breastplate” prayer have popped into my head on numerous occasions this week.

Legend has it that a local chieftain was out to get a particular Celt named Patrick. The chieftain sent his men to kill Patrick as he travelled along a lonely wooded road. As they closed in on Patrick, his pursuers discovered that he had disappeared into thin air. All they saw was a deer bounding across the road. From that adventure, legend has it that the Prayer of St. Patrick (the “Lorica” or “Breastplate”) emerged. More recent scholarship however, suggests its author was anonymous. In any case, this prayer certainly reflects the spirit with which St. Patrick brought faith to Ireland!

Today, we live in a perfect storm of challenges, many of which are beyond our control. We are anxious about the future of our planet as we consider the reality of global climate change and humankind’s feeble responses. We are economically and professionally uncertain. We need courage, inspiration, and perseverance.

One verse of the prayer speaks of Christ being in every situation we encounter. We read:

“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 beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

As you recite these words you get an insight into the height, depth and breadth of God’s love for each of us. The famous words of John 3:16 speak of a “God who loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not die but have everlasting life”.

This promise of eternal life is for everyone who acknowledges their need for forgiveness and chooses to put their trust in Jesus, the one who “binds up the broken-hearted and sets the captives free” (Isaiah 61:1)

Whatever challenges or situations we may be facing personally, in our communities, or in the world we would be wise to remember and have these words ringing in our ears to give us courage to keep going and never to give up!

“Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me “

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I was sat on the top of Clieves Hill eating a jar of chilli pickles with my sister, discussing how stressful my life was, how unhappy I was with my financial situation and trying to be the perfect Mum. I was looking for work and trying to fight my son’s corner who was being bullied in secondary school. I was feeling very alone, worse than I have felt in a long time. Things had now got the better of me and I was starting to crumble big time and my marriage was falling apart. My sister had just completed the Alpha Course and she told me how it had changed her life. She was eager to share her story and convinced me that the Alpha Course would be spiritually beneficial to me and my family. I agreed with my sister and suggested to my husband that the Alpha Course could be beneficial to both of us. He agreed and my sister kindly baby sat for us. My sister, my rock: I believe that God was working through her that night. My husband and I decided to give our marriage one last go. The Alpha Course has helped me to become more spiritually aware. It has saved my marriage and I have allowed Jesus to become part of my everyday thoughts and prayers since doing the Alpha course.”

“I decided to do the Alpha Course this January. My wife suggested that we experience it together. I had nothing to lose as I was continuously angry with my circumstances and always stressed over the little things. My family life and marriage were under strain, so I thought I would give it one last go. I knew a few of my family members had done the Alpha Course and I had heard good things about it. I had also noticed the changes in their lives. I went to the meetings, had a meal with my wife and made new friends, something I hadn’t done in a long time due to the unsociable working commitments as a chef. During our meetings we had discussions about God and Christianity and what it really meant to me. My relationship with God was growing and I prayed and thanked him more. I noticed things starting to change, I have become more humble and less stressed over the little things. I have become slow to anger and faster in understanding others. My pace has slowed down and my family has noticed the changes in me. I now feel an inner peace within myself. My circumstances are changing and I have learned to trust God, I have passed the control to him. My marriage and my family life is no longer under strain.”