Starting The Day Out Right

Monday, September 10

On Monday mornings when I'm tired from the weekend and grappling to find the energy to get my day and week started out right, I'll occasionally read St. Patrick's "Lorica."

Many think Patrick was a mythical little green guy who made green beer and started St. Patty’s day. Patrick not only existed, but was one of the greatest spiritual leaders of all time.

As a young boy pirates stole Patrick from his home in Britain and took him as a slave back to Ireland. There he was cruelly treated until he escaped. Ironically, as a Christian, Patrick felt called to go back to Ireland to introduce people there to Jesus. Patrick’s mission to Ireland was wildly successful but he and his followers faced imminent danger at every turn.

What follows is a section of a poem called, “Patrick’s Lorica.” Lorica is Latin for “breastplate.” It was custom for Patrick's brave followers to recite this in the morning as they faced another day.

Read it today and see if it doesn't help start your day off right.

Patrick’s Lorica

I arise today
with God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s eye to look ahead for me
God’s ear to hear for me
God’s word to speak for me
God’s hand to defend me
God’s way to lie before me
God’s shield to protect me
God’s host to safeguard me;

Christ ever with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ to my right side, Christ to my left
Christ in his breadth, Christ in his length, Christ in depth
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the heart of every man who speaks to me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Salvation is from the Lord.