I pledge allegiance to the Flagellated One; The One who in the Garden prayed for Unity. Who Made the Stars and formed the Sun, and in great Love Bore the Stripes for Me. I pledge allegiance to The One Who on a Gentle Donkey Rode; I Pledge Allegiance to My Lord, The One Who says,
“Put down your sword, and use it now to plow the sod, then give the harvest back to God.” No Other Earns My Loyalty, Save for The One Who Cried... then Died for me.
This is the Prayer of St. Patrick, a powerful prayer written by Maewyn Succit (known to us as St. Patrick) which he wrote in 433 after a great evangelistic campaign. St. Patrick is said to have written this prayer to strengthen himself with God's protection as he prepared to confront and convert Loegaire, high druid king of Ireland. As a result, the Druids of the region plotted to kill him. This plot was foiled, for when the druids came upon the place where were they were camped, they did not see Patrick and his men but instead saw a doe and twenty fawns. Because of the supernatural invention by God, the prayer is called “Lorica” (“The Deer’s Cry” in Celtic).
I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through the 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 sun, Radiance of moon, Splendor 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 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 devils, From temptations of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, Afar and anear, Alone and in multitude. I summon today all these powers between me and those evils, 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 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 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.
As we approach St. Patrick's Day, I will be posting art of Irish Christians. This artist, Maire (or Moya) Brennan is Enya's sister. She is a follower of Jesus Christ in the Celtic tradtion. Enjoy!
Yeah, I gotta admit- he's one of my "faves". That said, I'm giving him a full week of "press"...
A bit about the life of Maewynn Succit (St. Patrick): He utilized and perfected "relational evangelism" in which seekers were first invited to enter into community, and then they eventually converted; as opposed to "conversion evangelism" which requires a conversion experience prior to a person fully being accepted into the community. Which is better, do you think? Which did Jesus use?
