Have you ever wondered about St. Patrick? Did you know that when he was born, he had a completely different name? His name was Maewyn.
Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from his home in Roman England as a teenager and taken by Irish raiders to Ireland, where for six years he served as a slave. Before being abducted, Maewyn learned of God from his parents and family. While tending the fields in Ireland as a slave, he grew in His faith and personal encounter with the Lord. Through much prayer, Maewyn’s love for God and his captors grew deep. This led Maewyn to desire to share his faith with them.
With whom do you share your faith in Jesus Christ?
“More and more the love and fear of God came to me, and faith grew and my spirit was exercised, until I was praying up to a hundred times every day and in the night nearly as often.” – St. Patrick, Confessio
After six years of captivity and a riveting message from God, Maewyn escaped slavery and walked 200 miles to the Irish coast. He traveled aboard a ship and returned to his family, where he received ministerial training and joined in the work of the Lord.
As a follower of Jesus, Patrick sought to live as a spiritual father to many within the Christian faith. Therefore, it is believed that after his completion of religious studies, Maewyn adopted the name Patricius or Patrick which in Latin means, “father figure.”
In what ways do you care for others spiritually?
At 48 years old and after another riveting encounter with God, Patrick returned to Ireland with a passion to share about the one true Triune God. God moved through this gentle man in mighty ways to bring many who lived on the Emerald Isle to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Patrick became known for his use of the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to illustrate the Trinity: just as the plant has one stem with three leaves, God is one and exists in three persons.
Thank God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for being Three in One.
Patrick communed mightily with God through prayer. St. Patrick’s Breastplate is a popular prayer attributed to Patrick. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Laoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. Although more recent scholarship suggests its author was anonymous, this prayer reflects the spirit with which St. Patrick brought the Christian faith to Ireland as well as his own personal connection with God through prayer!
Pray this shortened version of the Breastplate prayer aloud –
I arise today. Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
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 shield to protect me, God’s host to save me from snares of devils, from temptation of vices, from everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.
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 when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone 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 of the Creator of creation.
Amen
Pray it again, with emphasis on God’s activity on your behalf (the words in bold).
Pray it one more time with emphasis on the Christ’s presence alongside you (the words in italics).
Let your soul live today, alive by the power of our Triune God. Let the story of St. Patrick spur you on as you share your faith and notice encounters with God. Let the Breastplate Prayer ground you in truth and nurture communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit.
This week – – –
Reflect. St. Patrick forgave his captors and exemplifies the invitation of Jesus to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Wonder with God about any persons, organizations, or structures that you need to forgive and add to your prayer practice. Just as you received the forgiveness of God, allow the Spirit, alive within you, to lead you to live, forgiving others as Christ forgave you.
Request. Thank God for His presence with you. Meditate on Colossians 1:16-17 – “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Ask God to help you notice Him in all things.
Receive. “God the Father is the shield beneath which we hide our fragile souls. He comes both generous and large to cover us when troubles rain down upon us. God the Son made of his own cross a place for our hard times and the wood He chose now serves our wounds. God the Spirit lives within us like structural steel with welded braces so the pressures from without can never crush us. We are triple-kept by Triune Love, shielded by the Three in One.” (Calvin Miller, Celtic Devotions, p. 27.) You are triple-kept by Triune Love. You are shielded by the Three in One. Receive God’s love for you! You are His beloved!
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Luke 6:27-28 – But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Neil Xavier O’Donoghue. St. Patrick: His Confession and Other Works. Totowa, NY. 2009.
Drive Thru History with Dave Stotts. Who Was St. Patrick and the History Behind Saint Patrick’s Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2hXAkIWWac.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Patrician Brothers.The Deer’s Cry or St Patrick’s Breastplate. Click here to watch and listen.
For King and Country. God is With Us. Click here to watch & listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
March 16-18 – Soul Care Encounter, Black Rock Retreat, Quarryville, PA
April 11 – Breathe Retreat, Littleton, CO
April 22-May 5 – Poland and Ukraine (Teaching intensive course, “The Care of Souls,” at UBTS)