An ancient prayer that still connects

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,

St. Patrick’s Day was a few days ago, but it’s definitely one of those holidays that extends for at least a week before and after the actual day, right? Right??

I hope so because I really enjoy Irish folk music—and especially Irish punk music. I’m still thinking about St. Patrick as I write this. (This article is a few years old now, but is still a fun read about Patrick from a United Methodist perspective.) There is a famous prayer attributed to St. Patrick, known as his Breastplate Prayer. A portion of that prayer form the lyrics for one of the hymns we sang recently, “Christ Beside Me” (The Faith We Sing #2166).

Allow me to share a longer version of that Breastplate Prayer that I used last week during our monthly worship service with the residents at The Gardens at Park Pointe in Morris. I invite you to pray this with me.

I arise today in the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.
I arise today in the strong name of the Creator of creation.
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment on doom.

I arise today through the strength of love of God,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In deeds of justice.

I arise today through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of the wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth.
I arise today through the steadfast loving-kindness that is God. Amen.

Plotting Goodness, 

Pastor Dave

Photo by Sergio Mena Ferreira on Unsplash