Here is a well-known prayer from Saint Patrick, the 5th century missionary to Ireland. It is a prayer of trust, of need for God's strength and protection, of awareness that spiritual warfare is constant, and that Christ is present.
I encourage you to slowly pray this prayer every day for a week or so. Reflect on it, receive grace while you pray, let it shape your mind and heart.
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I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.
I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith,
Christ's Incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on the cross for my salvation.
His bursting from the spiced tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.
I bind myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch,
His might to stay,
His ear hearken to my need;
The wisdom of 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.
Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
against false words of heresy,
against the knowledge that defiles,
against the heart's idolatry,
against the wizard's evil craft,
against the death-wound and the burning,
the choking wave,
the poisoned shaft,
protect me Christ, till Thy returning.
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.
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 hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word,
Praise to the Lord of my salvation;
Salvation is of Christ my Lord.
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com
