Introduction to St Patrick; On the Sunday near St Patrick’s Day this year we had a Bible Study lesson about St Patrick that I found very interesting. So, I ordered the book we used in the study, which is titled The Confession of Saint Patrick by John Skinner. The book contains three writings by St. Patrick, the last of which is called Patrick’s Lorica. A Lorica apparently means Body Armor, and we all know that armor is worn for protection. This Lorica is a series of short writings that I found very encouraging, and I thought I would share one with you. This is the sixth in a series of eight. I hope you enjoy it.

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 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:

against devil’s traps

against attraction of sin

against pull of nature

against all who wish me ill

near and far

alone

and in a crowd