St. Patrick’s Adventurous Prayer

Last updated on: March 15, 2013 at 6:00 am by Bruce Epperly

St. Patrick’s Adventurous Prayer 2013-03-14T17:34:37-04:00 Bruce Epperly

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As we anticipate the feast of St. Patrick, we celebrate the holistic spirituality of Celtic Christianity. In a time in which we are rediscovering the profound interdependence of life, Celtic Christianity gives us the vision of a lively, enchanted world, in which God’s presence can be found in every grove and meadow, in the wild goose flying over Iona and in the hearts of all human beings. God’s presence can be found in us!

In contrast to Calvinist and Augustine doctrines of predestination, election, original sin, and human depravity, the Celtic tradition saw life as an open-ended call and response between God and humankind in which our efforts can shape our lives and the future of the planet. God’s goodness lures us forward and is part of our inherent nature, regardless of how far we have fallen from God’s vision for us. We are not passive recipients of grace, but can be active agents in personal transformation and partnership with God. This was the belief of Patrick as well as that grossly maligned – and insightful and graceful – theologian, Pelagius.

To the Celtic Christians, life is adventurous and filled with surprises, whether or not we seek them out. According to legend, Celtic missionaries set off on voyages, without a rudder for steering, in order to find their place of resurrection, the place where they would experience God’s calling for their lives. They trusted God’s movements in the winds and waves to inspire them to find the place where their vocations would meet the needs of the world.

St. Patrick shared that same adventurous spirit as he spread the good news of Jesus as Healer and Savior. Like the other great Celtic spiritual guide Columba of Iona, he used the language of druid religion. Celtic Christians often described Christ as their “druid,” teacher, guide, and healer. As legend has it, Patrick was being pursued by a local chieftain, who was planning to capture and kill him. Just as the chieftain’s troops were bearing down on him, Patrick disappeared. All they saw was a deer bounding across the pathway. God was at work, Patrick believed, in providing him shelter along with insight for the journey. This was the origin of the prayer attributed to Patrick.

In the spirit of Patrick, Celtic Christians often rotated in a clockwise direction, drawing a circle around themselves whenever they left on a journey, whether across the neighborhood or into unknown lands. They recognized the adventure of each day, and their need for God’s guidance and protection. This encircling reminded them – and us today – that we are always in the circle of God’s care and that as we travel forth, God always guides our pathways. I use the prayer of St. Patrick, along with the Celtic caim, or encircling prayer, whenever I feel anxious, at risk, or embark on a new enterprise.

I believe the Celtic encircling is a visible reminder of the affirmation, “God in all things; all things in God.” I believe that the Celtic caim can enrich your spiritual life, awaken you to God’s lively presence, and give you courage to face the challenges of day to day life, illness, and planetary survival. If you are in a public place, hospitalized or facing an interpersonal challenge, you may say St. Patrick’s prayer in your imagination.

Here are the words from Patrick’s “Breastplate” or “Lorica.” He invoked a prayer of God’s presence as a talisman of protection. Celtic wisdom can transform your life and give you energy and hope for the political and social challenges of our times. Take them as a companion on your adventures.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

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 save me.

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.

On this St. Patrick’s season, embrace God’s circle of care and inspiration. You are always in the dynamic circle of divine adventure. Your life is a holy adventure in companionship with an adventurous God.

Progressive Christianity

St. Patrick

Previous Post

March 15, 2013

Naturally Supernatural? A Progressive Vision

Next Post

March 18, 2013 Palm-Passion Sunday: Celebration, Desolation and Healing

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews The Adventurous Lectionary Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 December 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz