Preparation for the Lord's Day

The Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Common Worship contains some real gems. While casually perusing the volume in preparation for offering the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving this Sunday, I ran across a wonderful prayer by St. Patrick of Ireland, a prayer commonly referred to as "St. Patrick's Breast-Plate." I commend this prayer to you and wish you well this coming Lord's Day.

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I bind unto myself today
the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river;
his death on the cross for my salvation.
His bursting up from the spiced tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the star-lit heaven,
the glorious sun's life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightening free,
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea
around the old eternity rocks.

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
God's eye to watch, God's might to stay,
God's ear to hearken to my need,
the wisdom of my God to teach,
God's hand to guide, God's shield to ward,
the word of God to give me speech,
God's heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, the One in Three,
of whom all nature has creation,
eternal Father, Sprit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Amen.