The Prayer of St Patrick has often inspired me – specially on those days when even the simple act of getting out of bed seems formidable.
I know I never arise or stand alone.
The words ‘in Christ alone I stand’ come alive for me when I chose to embrace God’s full provision for each day.
I love the picture of God simultaneously –
holding me, nourishing me, encouraging me;
surrounding me, protecting me, infusing me with Life;
walking beside me, understanding me, providing for me, working in my heart and life;
leading guiding me, showing me the way to live…
I love that ‘ing’ verbs clearly point to activity that is continuous, ongoing, unstopping. That picture of being so perfectly enveloped in my Creator gives me strength.
And so I arise, through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the 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 hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.
Christ shield me today
Against wounding
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 in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.
– St Patrick
~shini abraham, ©2014, duco divina – contemplative doodling
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