Pause with St. Patrick's Prayer

 

Today we push pause together. We sit holding our lives lightly with each other. I invite you to take a deep breath.

Breathe in God’s gentle hug enfolding and holding you…breathe out the narrative that you must earn God’s affection.

Breathe in the good news that God longs to gather us like a mother hen gathers her brood…breathe out the ways we feel disconnected from ourselves and others.

Breathe in a feast of honest words spoken wholeheartedly…breathe out fasting upon words used only to score points or get “likes” on social media.

Breathe in slowly and deeply…breathe out letting your exhale be even longer.

Breathe in trusting in God…breathe out all the voices that want to fix or save or solve your problems.

Breathe in….breathe out.

Be still in this moment and feel God’s love.

Now, to honor St. Patrick, here is the prayer, "I arise"

As I arise today,

may the strength of God pilot me,

the power of God uphold me,

the wisdom of God guide me.

May the eye of God look before me,

the ear of God hear me,

the word of God speak for me.

May the hand of God protect me,

the way of God lie before me,

the shield of God defend me,

the host of God save me.

May Christ shield me today.

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,

Christ when I stand,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Amen.