On the weekend 16 of us went out and braved the snow and rain to serve and connect with people on Main Street.  Great adventurers!  Thanks for going out on the street with me.  Besides doing a “green sweep,” we also gave almost 200 people a card that invited them to celebrate St. Patrick’s day with us by praying with Patrick a portion of his famous Breastplate prayer.  I have included the prayer below.

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 host to secure me—

  against snares of devils,

  against temptations of vices,

  against inclinations of
     nature,

  against everyone who shall  
    wish me ill, afar and anear,
    alone and in a crowd. 

Christ to protect me today.
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 where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.  

I arise today through a mighty strength, the
invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness towards the Creator.

Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of Christ.
May Thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.  AMEN.

This prayer is part of the Breastplate of St. Patrick, missionary to Ireland. Born 385 AD in England.  Enslaved in Ireland at age 16.  Escaped but returned to Ireland to proclaim the way of Jesus.  Died March 17, 461.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!