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As humans, we all experience problems and trials. Not just the small things, like spilling our coffee or forgetting to reply to our mom’s text message. We experience big problems, such as prolonged illness and career struggles. What trials are you facing right now? Are you in need of protection? In this episode of the Things above podcast, James Bryan Smith shares the little-known story of Saint Patrick, who was taken by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland where Christianity was not present.
Following his release and return to his native England, Saint Patrick had a vision from God, who urged him to get ordained and serve as a missionary in Ireland. There, Saint Patrick converted thousands of Irish to Christianity and built several churches. During his time in the mission field, Saint Patrick wrote a prayer of protection that is commonly known as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” James Bryan Smith shares his version of that prayer and asks, “Are you in need of protection?” If so, this prayer can be a wonderful soul training exercise to help set your minds on things above.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer
Here’s the prayer for the website:
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through the 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 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 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.
I summon today
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.
Related episodes:
1. Overcoming Temptation
2. Christ Plus Nothing Equals Everything
3. Already Present
4. Your Identity is in the Invitation
5. Jesus Holds Everything Together
Thank you so much for your podcast. I came to the podcast when you had Emily P. Freeman on as your guest. I’ve loved each one of your podcasts. Thank you for helping me live GODward and think on Things Above. GOD bless you!
Thank you so much for listening! We are so happy to provide a podcast that can help others on their spiritual journey. Emily is the best, we were so blessed to have her on the podcast. Thanks again, keep setting your mind on things above 🙂
Dear James and the Apprentice Institute team,
I, too, discovered your podcast after I learned of Emily P Freeman just recently and saw she was your guest! I’m currently am catching up on every episode of yours and hers. It’s become my daily practice to end my day with Things Above. Thank you for blessing all of us with the encouragement to keep our minds on Things Above. The Lord be with you!
Jonathan
Thank you, Jonathan, we appreciate the feedback! We are so happy that the podcast can become a daily practice for you and others. Keep setting your mind on things above!
I started listening when the podcast started, then…just kinda forgot. A year and a half later, I am resuming and this morning (day 1 of government-directed social distancing for COVID-19) I heard this episode. Talk about perfect timing! I will use this during our family Bible time tomorrow for St. Patrick’s day, and was so deeply encouraged today to remember that Christ is with me, even in quarantine!
Thanks Anna, we are glad you are listening to the podcast again! This episode is definitely appropriate for today, stay safe and wash your hands 🙂
Blessings!
Thank you for your faithfulness to God’s call in doing this podcast. I have been so blessed by so many episodes, and it really is helping me grow as a disciple and set my mind on things above. I currently have a family friend who has been in the hospital for over 2 weeks struggling to overcome Covid-19. I sent this podcast/article to dozens of my family and friends to pray Saint Patrick’s Breastplate over our friend, replacing the “I” and “me” with his name. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your feedback, it means so much to us! We will be praying for your family friend and we hope they will recover as soon as possible, blessings!