Saint Patrick was born in South Wales in 387
to the family of a Roman official. Aged 16 he was kidnapped
and sold into slavery in Ireland, but managed to escape by boat back to Britain
6 years later, and from there travelled to France,
to Saint Martin's monastery in Tours and was ordained a priest.
The Pope gave him the name Patricius and sent him on
missionary work back to Ireland in 432.
In 455 Patrick became the primate bishop of Ireland at Ard Macha,
a place not far from the seat of the Ulster Kings.
He died in March 461 A.D. The date has been disputed:
some believing it to be March 8th, others March 9th.
Therefore to arrive at a conclusion
both dates were added together
and since then the official date
is March the 17th!
I
arise today,
through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, radiance of moon. Splendour of fire, speed of lightning, Swiftness of wind, depth of sea, Stability of earth, and firmness of 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. From the snares of devils, from temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, Afar and near, alone and in a multitude.
PRAYERS FOR TODAY
The Spirit of God be our guide
to lead us to peace and to glory.
They that wait for the Spirit shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run
and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
PSALM 139 (PART 3)
Search me out, O God, and know my heart;
lead me in the way that is everlasting.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Where shall I flee from your Presence?
Awesome are your deeds, and marvellous are your works!
O God of forgiveness, we contemplate you.....
How deep are your thoughts to me, O God,
how great is the sum of them.
Were I to count them they are more in number than the grains of sand upon the sea-shore, and still I would know nothing about you –
still you would hold me in the palm of your hand.
O God of forgiveness, we contemplate you.....
All: Glory to God, Source of all being,
Eternal Word and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
INTERCESSION
May the God of healing restore them….
For those whose lives are broken by distress May the God of healing restore them For those whose lives are broken by fear May the God of healing restore them For those whose lives are broken by anger May the God of healing restore them For those whose lives are broken by pain May the God of healing restore them For those whose lives are broken by illness May the God of healing restore them For those whose lives are broken by tragedy May the God of healing restore them
God of healing, gently touch these lives with your Spirit Bring warmth and comfort, life, wholeness, peace and restoration into fractured lives and souls.
God be with us to guide us,
God be with us to protect us,
God be with us to strengthen us,
God be above us to uplift us,
God be beneath us to support us;
and may the blessing of The Three-in-One,
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with us, and remain with us, now, and always. Amen.
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