Prayer Of The Month

A Celtic Prayer Of Encircling

This is an extract from the Hymn of St Patrick, sometimes known as St Patrick's Breastplate or The Deer's Cry.

Although not a native Irishman, Patrick played a key role in establishing Christianity in Ireland, demonstrating the power of God through Christ - in direct opposition to the "witchcraft and idolatry" that was prevalent at that time. (Legend has it that it is because of him that there are no snakes in Ireland!) Like St Paul, he knew that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against .... the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms", and that divine protection is essential if we are to do God's work. This prayer is one way in which we can commit ourselves daily to the power and love of God.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity.

To think about...

• Do you feel that there are hidden spiritual forces at work in our world? If so, how should we respond to them?
• Is the awareness of Christ's continual presence, as described in this prayer, something that all Christians can experience? Is there anything we need to do in order to attain it?
• When you feel vulnerable or under attack, you may like to pray this prayer with your body as well as your mind: you could use the Celtic Caim or Encircling, drawing a circle around yourself with your finger to express the reality of God's encompassing protection.