St. Patrick's Breastplate

St. Patrick's day is two months past, yet I found myself singing his words this morning....

Poor St. Patrick.  His legacy has been reduced to a March holiday filled with rowdy celebrations attended by those intent upon drinking green beer.  Nobody seems to realize that this apostle to the Irish was actually from Wales, nor that he used the clover leaf to help explain the mystery of the Trinity. Only recently have I found this most beautiful prayer penned by St. Patrick, showing the true spirit of the man, entitled I Bind Unto Myself Today.  Here is the fourth stanza:

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need,
The wisdom of my god to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

This prayer is called "St. Patrick's Breastplate" because of those parts of it that seek God's protection. It is also known as "The Deer's Cry" or "The Lorica."  It is said that Celtic monks chose to memorize and pray this prayer in the morning, upon awakening.  (www.prayerfoundation.org)  

TV~
"...and having on the breastplate of righteousness..." [Ephesians 6:14b]