Contents (click to jump)

• Opening Reflection
• Scripture Reading
• Video
• Prayer
• Craft Option
• Devotional Message (premieres on YouTube 4/19/20 at 6:15 p.m. CDT).
• Response
• Closing Blessing

Opening Reflection

You’ve heard about Patrick because of the holiday named after him— but do you know much about his life?

Today’s devotional message will talk about his life as an example of what Christian Hope looks like when “Home” isn’t what we thought it was.

Patrick wrote about the hope God gave him, and how it led him to praise God.

“I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep a deep swamp and he that is mighty [The Lord God] came and in his mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for his great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”

― Patrick of Ireland, The Confession of Saint Patrick

***

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Scripture Reading

1 Peter 2:4-12

Bible Passage and Audio Reading on Bible.Com here.

The passage will also be read in our “Devotional Message” Video.

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Video

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Prayer

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

(8th century prayer, modified):

Opening (Invitatory)
—
I commit myself today to the strong Name of the Trinity, 
praying to you, My God, the Three in One, and One in Three. 
You created all the world: Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: 
Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord!

Invocation (Resurrection)
—
Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger, 
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

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Craft Option

EDIT: Kendall and I later delivered supplies and we did this craft together as a YOuth Ministry.

See pictures below:

Consider making “prayer beads” to pray the “St Patrick’s Breastplate,” (below) other prayers, or your own prayer.

At this document “prayers for prayer beads,” you can find Christian prayers throughout time divided up for this type of bracelet.

Simple version materials and instructions:

• Prayer beads are beads to help you keep track, and keep focus, when you pray.
• You use one bead per each phrase or sentence See “Rest of St. Patrick’s Breastplate” below.
• The beginning/ ending bead in the circle should be a different color, to be easily identified.

You’ll need:

• A string of some kind made into a bracelet.
• 4 Large beads (1 of a different color than the other 3 so you can easily see when you’ve gone all the way “around” the beads praying).
• 28 smaller beads (Put 7 smaller beads between each of the four large beads).

• On the Large beads say the “Refrain.”
• On the Small beads say the “Sentences.”
• Use these written words to lead you into your own prayers.
• The beads are just a tool to help you keep track and focus.

More involved version:

If you are a person who loves crafts, this is for you.

This version also includes a “Resurrection bead,” an “Invitatory bead” and a small cross pendant.

• “Make Your Own Protestant Prayer Beads” [Link to detailed instructions].

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The Rest of St. Patrick’s Breastplate

The Refrain (“Cruciform”)
—
I commit myself today 
To the strong Name of the Trinity, 
praying to you, My God,
the Three in One, and One in Three. 

The Sentences (“Weeks”)
—
Section 1
1. I confess, by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation*; 
2. his baptism in Jordan river; 
3. his death on the cross for my salvation; 
4. his rising from the empty tomb; 
5. his rising up the heavenly way; 
6. his coming on the Day of Judgment: 
7. I bind unto myself today.

Section 2
1. I confess the power the love of God, spoken of by the cherubim**; 
2. the sweet “Well done” in judgment hour; 
3. And the service of the seraphim**; 
4. confessing faith: the apostles’ word, 
5. the patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls; 
6. all good deeds done unto the Lord, 
7. who purifies our sin-hurt souls.

Section 3
1. I confess today the Goodness of God’s creation, 
2. the glorious sun’s life-giving ray, 
3. the whiteness of the moon in evening, 
4. the blowing of the wind so free, 
5. the flashing of the lightning shocks, 
6. life on earth, the deep salt sea, 
7. from God our salvation and our rock.

Section 4
1. I trust today in the power of God to hold and lead, 
2. his eye to watch, his might to stay, 
3. his ear to listen, to my need; 
4. the wisdom of my God to teach, 
5. his hand to guide, his shield is given; 
6. the word of God to give me speech, 
7. his Heavenly power to be my guard.

* The Incarnation is our Christian belief that Jesus Christ is the God of Israel come to us as the man Jesus of Nazareth.

**Cherubim and Seraphim are names of Heavenly beings in the Bible who serve and praise God. They are mentioned in various places in the Bible including Revelation 4:1–11. The Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” is based on that passage of Scripture.

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Devotional message

(Premiering on YouTube at 6:15 p.m. – 4/19/20.)

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Response

1. Does it make a difference to think of the Church as a “spiritual house” help us think of the church when we can’t gather in our church building?
   
2. What are examples of “spiritual sacrifices” you see in your life, or the life or other Christians?
   
3. How can others see you praise God in your life through in your words, and actions— whether at work, play, or at rest?

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Closing Blessing

Take Refuge in the Lord;

    And may you not be put to shame.

We look to our Lord our rescuer and deliverer;

    May God’s ear may turn to us and save us.

 For God is our rock of refuge,

    to which we can always go.

—

O Lord, give the command to save,

    for you, O Lord, are our rock and fortress.

(A blessing based on Psalm 71:1-3).

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