Gracious and loving God, we pray in the spirit of St. Patrick:
We 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.
We arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot us;
God’s might to uphold us,
God’s wisdom to guide us,
God’s eye to look before us,
God’s ear to hear us,
God’s word to speak for us,
God’s hand to guard us,
God’s way to lie before us,
God’s shield to protect us,
God’s hosts to save us afar and anear, alone or in multitude.
May God’s Spirit reside in the heart of everyone who thinks of us.
May God speak through the mouth of everyone who speaks of us.
We arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.—AMEN.
(“The Deer’s Cry” from St. Patrick’s Breastplate)
