Saint Patrick's BreastplateSample

"I arise today"

Start by praying the whole prayer and then reread today’s section.

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 see 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, 

The prayer starts with a cry of effort. “I arise today.”

We are reminded that it is God’s gifts that enable us to be the person we were born to be. The ‘me’ at my best. God’s strength, God’s wisdom, God’s words in us and God’s path before us. 

Saint Patrick was evangelizing in a country rife with strong pagan practices and beliefs. He saw his mission as a battle that was beyond his own ability and strength.

When we arise today, with a mission to bring the ‘Good News’ to our world, we are challenged to recognize the enormity of our task. This recognition should not bring despair though - simply a cry to arise again and to allow God to work through us.

Read Paul’s prayer in Ephesians.

He bows down praying that we can rise up. He prays that we may be rooted in faith and comprehend the enormity of God dwelling in us and working through us. When we grasp even the smallest part of this, we too can arise today.