Day 21 - ‘in-a-minute’
Top O'the Morning to ya
Today is St Patricks Day, VIP Day, ie Very Irish Person's Day. I am from Armagh where St Patrick’s twin ecclesiastical seat is (i.e. two cathedrals in one city). Patrick was kidnapped in Ireland as a teenager, then escaped back to his family in Britain only to return to Ireland in 433AD to spread the good news about Jesus Christ. You have to be Irish to see the funny side of that! He is also famous for describing the concept of the Trinity by using a shamrock leaf - the 3-in-1 God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He wrote that he wanted to bind God’s Holy name to himself, like a breastplate of armour. Let’s try that this morning using words from St Patrick’s Lorica - “I bind unto myself the strong Name of the Trinity… the Three in One, and One in Three.”
Have a great Day and go easy on the Guinness!
God Bless
Kelvin <><
Prayer
Almighty God, in your providence you chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people: keep alive in us the fire of the faith he kindled and strengthen us in our pilgrimage towards the light of everlasting life. Amen (Common worship)
Prayer of St Patrick's
May the Strength of God guide us. May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us. May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us, Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us! May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us, Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord, Always be ours, this day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.
Today Let us pray for:
For Continued Peace and stability and political unity in Northern Ireland
For the Northern Ireland Assembly following the new protocol
For Peace in our world (mention some places eg Israel, Ukraine, Yemen)
For Peace in our families
For Peace in our neighbourhood and communities
For Peace in your workplace
Peace and unity in churches where you are
A Prayer for Northern Ireland Government
Almighty God, please grant wisdom and a desire for integrity to our political leaders in Stormont. Help them to pursue peace and have the courage to put this before any party allegiance and personal interest, for the good of the communities they serve. Amen.
The Lorica, or, St Patrick's Breastplate (shortened)
I bind unto myself today The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One, and One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever, By power of faith, Christ's Incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spiced tomb; His riding up he heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom: I bind unto myself today. ……..I bind unto myself today The virtues of the starlit heaven, The glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, …. the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks. 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……… Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself the Name, The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One, and One in Three. Of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my Salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord. amen
