"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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation"
Saint Patrick
This prayer is a commonly used shortened version of St. Patrick’s Breastplate that, according to legend, was used to protect him from an attack on his way to convert the king of Ireland and his people to Christianity. The name “Breastplate” reflects the prayer’s original intentions – to provide divine protection by calling for Jesus’ presence in all things and invoking the power of the Holy Trinity.
You can use this prayer when you are feeling vulnerable or to ward away negative influences. It can also be used to remove obstacles in your path to doing God’s work, as St. Patrick did.
