Is Your Armor On?
In 1999 Mike and I took a trip to Ireland for our 25th wedding anniversary. It’s green rolling meadows lined with ancient stone fences mesmerized us. We fell in love with the people, the culture and the food. We both say we can’t wait until we can make a return trip someday.
One of the places we visited was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is believed that at this location St. Patrick baptized early converts to Christianity. (His approximate dates were 385-461 AD.) There is an amazing stone cover over what they think was his baptismal pool. Of course the large, majestic stone cathedral is not the original building. It was a meager wooden church at that time. It has long since been replaced.
Years ago I read the true story of the life of St. Patrick. What an amazing childhood he had. It’s what shaped him into the humble servant of God he later became. I have a great admiration for his life and ancient writings.
One of the most famous writings that is attributed to him is now called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate”. I love to read it often as part of my devotions because it’s a beautiful prayer of protection to pray for ourselves and our loved ones. It actually reminds me of Ephesians 6:13-17. It makes me ask myself, “Is your armor on?”
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17
St. Patrick’s Breastplate
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 for ever,
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan River;
His death on the cross for my salvation.
His bursting from the spiced tomb;
His riding up the heav’nly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to harken 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 heav’nly host to be my guard.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death-wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poison’d shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till thy returning.
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.
Father, I only want to be bound to You and You alone, the strong name of the Trinity. Protect my family and equip me so I may give them aid in knowing how to equip themselves with your armor. In the Strong Name of Christ, Amen.
Marsha
http://marshahmusings.blogspot.com
That was AWESOME !!!!
I love that message I am going to print it up and frame it so when any of us are feeling weak we can quote what it says. Thanks for a wonderful post.
Love Ya, Aunt Marsha
This was very lovely.
Marsha,
Thanks for sharing this post on God’s armor. I am going to pass your link on to a friend. We were just talking about putting on the armor yesterday.
Many blessings, Pamela
Thank you for sharing this. The St. Patrick prayer really is a beautiful one.
Oh – I love that prayer of St. Patrick. I will have to note it down for myself – great prayer to get ready for each and every day! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.