In Missions and Church History class, I was inspired and brought to tears by the life of of St. Patrick, missionary to the Irish. He abandoned all he had for the sake of the gospel. I remember thinking…they just don’t make them like that anymore. We want gospel lifestyle, and….comfort, security, success, companionship, etc. To be frank most of us are weak sauce compared to St. Patrick. I am challenged by o reading about his life.
Patrick’s grandfather was a priest and his father was a deacon, so he was born into a ministry family. He was however only nominally Christian until he was captured and sold as a slave- this life altering experience changed him. He had a spiritual awakening in which he heard the voice of the Irish calling him like Paul and the Macedonian Call (Acts 16). He was motivated to mission by the grace of God in his life, the called from God for the salvation of others, and obedience to scripture and the Great Commission. He preached a Trinitarian Gospel, ordained native clergy (yeah for indigenous leadership), sought to understand the people to whom he was called, and promoted the ascetic life (poverty lifestyle). The radical prayer attributed to him (below) is inspiring.
“According, therefore, to the measure of one’s faith in the Trinity, one should proceed without holding back from danger to make known the gift of God and everlasting consolation, to spread God’s name everywhere with confidence and without fear” -From Confessions of St. Patrick
I wanted to share this song as a gift for reflection over this week of lent. May God call to a worship that is deep and rich and focused on his mission!
“Saint Patrick’s Breastplate (below) is a Christian hymn whose original Old Irish lyrics were traditionally attributed to Saint Patrick during his ministry in the 5th century; however, some argue that it is written later, in the 8th century. It is written in the style of a druidic incantation for protection on a journey. It is often sung during the celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick on or near March 17, as well as on Trinity Sunday. The prayer known as “Faeth Fiada” or the “St. Patrick’s Breast-Plate” and contains scripture references from Eph 6:10-17 and other NT passages.” -wiki
St. Patrick’s Prayer
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 Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet ‘well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.
I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my 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 the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.
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 and 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 the Lord.
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