Saint Patrick, Pray for Us

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 everyone who desires me ill.

from Saint Patrick's Breastplate

Now, after I came to Ireland, tending to flocks was my daily occupation; and constantly I used to pray in the daytime. Love of God and the fear of him increased more and more, and faith grew, and the spirit was moved, so that in one day (I would say) as many as a hundred prayers, and at night nearly as many, so that I used to stay even in the woods and on the mountain (to this end). And before daybreak I used to be roused to prayer, in snow, in frost, in rain, and I felt no hurt; nor was there any sluggishness in me -- as I now see, because then the spirit was fervent within me.

-- Saint Patrick, Confessio

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