     written by Richard Thomas/ December 20, 2005 The wearing of green and eating of corned beef on St. Patrick’s day is the Americanized celebration of this apostle to Ireland. As a matter of fact, the celebration of St. Patty’s day today is a lot like Christmas. Just as Christmas has degenerated to the celebration of materialism under an evergreen, the celebration of St. Patrick’s day has come down to gorging on corned beef and cabbage, wearing green fabric while missing the significance of the life of this beloved saint. This brief article is set forth not to dispel any myth or legend about the man, but rather to reveal the man of faith that was born 387 A.D. and died March 17, 460 or 461 or 493 depending on your source. The point is - he was real. And so was his faith. When Ireland was covered with the cloud of darkest oppression, brought about by the fist of demonic worship, God stretched out His hand to fill the glove named Patrick who was the son of a Roman family of high ranking. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 nasb “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the Earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His...” God is not looking for usefulness, He looks for faithfulness. The Apostle to Erin (Ireland) wrestled with the forces of darkness. Paganism had coiled itself around the inhabitants of Ireland. So tight was the strangle hold from this viper of old, the light of hope was fading fast. St. Patrick dealt paganism a mighty blow with the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The legend of St. Patrick driving out the snakes of Ireland is more than likely a metaphor describing the driving out the Serpent of old along with the Devil’s slithering minions. When we are wrestling with the physical crusaders of darkness, we wrestle with the glove that covers the invisible hand of the Devil’s reach. The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesian church chapter 6 that before we wrestle with the invisible forces of this present darkness we are to “...put on the whole armor of God...” We are never told to take it off. Once we are suited up for spiritual battle Ephesians 6:18 tells us “...pray at all times...” The following is the beautiful prayer of St. Patrick, popularly known as "St. Patrick's Breast-Plate", it is likely to have been composed by him in preparation for his battle with Paganism in Ireland. The following is a literal translation from the old Irish text: The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity: I believe the Trinity in the Unity The Creator of the Universe. I bind to myself today The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism, The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial, The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day. I bind to myself today The virtue of the love of seraphim, In the obedience of angels, In the hope of resurrection unto reward, In prayers of Patriarchs, In predictions of Prophets, In preaching of Apostles, In faith of Confessors, In purity of holy Virgins, In deeds of righteous men. I bind to myself today The power of Heaven, The light of the sun, The brightness of the moon, The splendour of fire, The flashing of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of sea, The stability of earth, The compactness of rocks. I bind to myself today God's Power to guide me, God's Might to uphold me, God's Wisdom to teach me, God's Eye to watch over me, God's Ear to hear me, God's Word to give me speech, God's Hand to guide me, God's Way to lie before me, God's Shield to shelter me, God's Host to secure me, Against the snares of demons, Against the seductions of vices, Against the lusts of nature, Against everyone who meditates injury to me, Whether far or near, Whether few or with many. I invoke today all these virtues Against every hostile merciless power Which may assail my body and my soul, Against the incantations of false prophets, Against the black laws of heathenism, Against the false laws of heresy, Against the deceits of idolatry, Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids, Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man. Christ, protect me today Against every poison, against burning, Against drowning, against death-wound, That I may receive abundant reward. 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 fort, Christ in the chariot seat, Christ in the poop [deck], 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 strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity, I believe the Trinity in the Unity The Creator of the Universe. Wintercreeks.net Statement of Faith, Hope and Love
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