Long before Saint Patrick was celebrated with beer, the color green, corned beef, or shamrocks, he was remembered for a prayer. The Prayer of St. Patrick has become one of the most famous and recognized prayers in the world.
Though there is some question as to the original authorship of St. Patrick’s Prayer, it has been attributed to him for many centuries. Its content and style also suggest authorship around the time of St. Patrick. There are several variations of the prayer in existence, but this one has been meaningful to me over the years.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the Threeness,
Through 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 with His judgement on doom.
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 host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I arise today
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, 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 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.
PRACTICE: Copy the Prayer of St. Patrick by hand as an act of prayer and worship.