March 2026

In honor of St. Patrick this month, here is a wee bit of Celtic Christian  tradition. There is a special kind of Irish prayer called a Lorica, which is based on the Latin word for armor. These prayers of protection are attributed to Saint Patrick (ca. 377). They can still empower our faith more than sixteen centuries later. As we journey through the wilderness and often feel weak during this season of Lent, I invite you to pray for spiritual strength as you arise each day.

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 hosts to save me, From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices, From everyone who desires me ill,
Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude.

I arise today through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock.

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 everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone 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 confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

In the name and strength of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Pastor Rebecca Borke