Dependency upon our God . . . Celebrating Patrick.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm.84:11)

Would you celebrate "St. Patrick's Day" with me in a different way as we celebrate the Irish culture . . . 

Patrick was not a myth, a fictitious character, a drunkard, a brawler, or a snake chaser. He was an Englishman, former slave kidnapped as a teenager, and a God-chaser! As he grew in his knowledge of God, he was called back to Ireland where he led hundreds of thousands to the Lord and started over three hundred churches! He taught of the Trinity using the three-leaf clover, not the four-leaf one 🍀 and his favorite color was blue, not green. He did not chase snakes out of Ireland (there are none on the island) but he chased out evil! Today, the date of his death in A.D. 461, we celebrate his life and his faithfulness to God and prayer!

As we read what is known as the Prayer of St. Patrick, may we ponder our own life and dependency upon our God.

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 multitude.

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.