A Kick-Ass Prayer

The Pocket Contemplative

Christians spiritually address anxiety in two ways: spiritual warfare and contemplation. Dave Schmelzer looks at some of the pros and cons of each of these approaches and then takes an extended look at perhaps the most famous warfare prayer in the last two thousand years, The Breastplate of St. Patrick, a prayer Dave loves and often prays.
Mentioned on this podcast:
The Breastplate of St. Patrick

I bind to myself today/ The fullness of the Trinity:
I believe the Father, Son and Spirit/ The Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today/ Christ coming to earth:
His baptism, crucifixion and burial,/ His resurrection and ascension,
His coming on the Judgment Day.
I bind to myself today/ The love of archangels
The obedience of angels/ The prayers of Patriarchs,
The vision of Prophets,/ The speech of Apostles,
The faith of martyrs,/ The purity of Mary,
The boldness of saints.
I bind to myself today/ Heaven’s power--
Light like the sun,/ Brightness like the moon,
Splendor like fire,/ Flashing like lightning,
Speed like wind,/ Depth like sea,
Stability like earth,/ Solidity like rocks.
I bind to myself today/ God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to strengthen me,/ God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,/ God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to speak through me,/ God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,/ God's Shield to protect me,
God's Army to empower me,/ Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,/ Against anyone who considers injuring me,
Whether they’re far or near,/ Few or many.
I invoke today all these virtues/ Against every hostile, merciless power
Which may assail my body and soul--/ Against the lies of false prophets,
Against the darkness of unbelief,/ Against the distractions of heresy,
Against the temptations of idolatry,/ Against the spells of sorcerers--
Against everything that would bind my soul.
Christ, protect me and mine today/ Against poison and burning,
Against drowning and injury and death,/ That we might live full lives for you.
Christ with me, Christ before me,/ Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,/ Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the home,/ Christ in the street,
Christ in the store,/ Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,/ Christ in every ear that hears me. I bind to myself today/ The fullness of the Trinity:
I believe the Father, Son and Spirit/ The Creator of the Universe.