Saturday, September 8, 2012

A Powerful Prayer

The last few weeks have been very challenging as both of my parents were in the hospital at the same time.  Mom was scheduled for hip revision surgery and dad developed an infection and had a fall.  Mom is now home and dad is in St. Joseph's Manor.  On top of that, it is a very busy time at church as we gear up for the fall ministry season.  Throw in some fire calls, police call-outs, and you have a recipe for some long days.  Prayer has always been an important part of my life, and a great source of strength and peace when times get tough.  Recently I have been using a prayer that is very ancient and was first prayed by Patrick, the man who brought the Gospel to Ireland.  I learned of last month during the Willow Creek Leadership Summit I attended with some of our staff and leaders from Davisville Church.  Here is his prayer:
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 the ear of everyone who hears me.  Amen.  
I am not big on reciting pre-written prayers, but I hope you will find this thoughtful prayer an inspiration for your prayer relationship with God.  I am using it not to recite word for word, but to mediate on and to inspire my own prayers.
Blessings,
Dr. Paul