We live in troubled times, where the forces of darkness have won over many hearts. But Satan and his minions can only have power over us if we let them. We must resist them and put on the “shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).
What better shield to take into battle than that of Saint Patrick, Banisher of Snakes?
While there is controversy over the legend of Saint Patrick and the actual banishment of snakes from Ireland, one thing is certain: Saint Patrick did banish the true serpent who was terrorizing the Irish people.
He rescued them from their evil ways and held aloft the “shield of faith” to combat the lies of the slithering snake. It was through his example and prayers that laid a firm foundation for Ireland and gave them what they needed to be strong spiritual warriors.
One of the most popular prayers that has been handed down through the centuries (and is attributed to St. Patrick) is the “Breastplate of Saint Patrick.” It is a powerful prayer and one that many use on a daily basis.
I would like all of us to pray this prayer today not only for our own spiritual struggles, but also for the further banishment of “snakes” from our own country (as well as from Ireland). May we imitate Saint Patrick’s example and never let the serpent have power over us.
Breastplate of Saint Patrick
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.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 look 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,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.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 down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creationSt. Patrick (ca. 377)