Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Being of Irish descent, I always take this day to reflect on the work St. Patrick did to lead the people of Ireland, my ancestors, to Christ. I’m amazed at the power of Christ in him! How did he do it? How did he love the people of Ireland so fearlessly? It was Christ in him. That’s how! I wonder . . . if each morning when St. Patrick first opened his eyes, if he didn’t practice the presence of Christ, and visualize Him each morning as he prayed. Most of us know that starting our day by spending time with Jesus, in prayer and in His Word, is critical to having a great day. However, do we really practice the presence of Christ!

Although we can’t be sure St. Patrick was the author of this particular prayer, praying the “Breastplate of St. Patrick,” a.k.a. “Morning Prayer,” each morning is a powerful way to start each day visualizing Christ—Jesus in you, and you in Him. When it’s hard to rise and shine, when you don’t have strength, or a positive outlook on life, this could really help strengthen you for the day ahead of you.

St. Patrick’s Morning Prayer:

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.

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, afar and anear, alone or in a mulitude. Christ shield me today against wounding.

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 the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.

-Anonymous

Jesus promises to give us all that we need to live victoriously, and to love fearlessly—making the most of every opportunity we are given to shine a light on the perfect love of God. The Bible says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that isn int he world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV).

This verse seems to indicate that in knowing Christ, we can come to understand His promises. And, what are we promised? Well, for one, we are promised Him! As we meditate on His promises in His Word and in prayer, and on His divine nature and character—God’s power and divine nature are infused into us, and we are empowered to live victoriously over the sin and corruption of the world, as well as over our own sin nature. In other words, this is how you get over your bad day, how your perspective is changed, and how your hope is renewed so that you can persevere in the work God has called you to!

How will you practice the presence of Christ, today? Pray, and ask God to reveal His divine nature and manifest presence to you, then let me know by commenting on God made Himself known to you. I’d love to hear!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, 2021!!!