"The Breastplate of St. Patrick"

In His parting words to His disciples, the Lord Jesus Christ commissioned them to preach the Gospel to all

nations. Then, He gave them a solemn promise…“I am with you always.”

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

For centuries, those words have comforted the ailing, assured the weary, and even carried martyrs peacefully to their death. The famed St. Patrick, fifth century missionary to Ireland, carried this truth with him as he preached God’s message of salvation to a hostile pagan world.

It is said that each morning Patrick prayed a lengthy prayer, binding to himself the assurance of God’s constant presence with him. He seemingly “wore” the prayer as a breastplate of protection against the forces of men and evil, and thus the prayer became known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.

Although the original prayer is quite long, three stanzas are best known for their intense reminder of the power and love of Christ:

“Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,

Christ be behind me, King of my heart;

Christ be within me, Christ be below me,

Christ be above me, never to part.

Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,

Christ all around me, shield in the strife;

Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,

Christ in my rising, light of my life.

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,

Christ be behind me, King of my heart;

Christ be within me, Christ be below me,

Christ be above me, never to part.”

Patrick lived a life totally devoted to following Christ. May his words provoke your thinking and provide a fresh awakening to the fact that, as His child, Christ lives in you and He will never leave you!

Many Blessings!