A Prayer Saint Patrick Used for Protection When Surrounded and Attacked by Pagans, a Prayer That Protected Him from the Sorcerers of Ireland
“I arise today and bind to myself a mighty strength: the invocation of the Trinity, faith in the Three Persons, and confession of the Unity of the Creator of the universe.
I arise today and bind to myself the strength of Christ with his Baptism, the strength of his Crucifixion, the strength of his Resurrection and Ascension, and the strength of his coming on the Day of Judgment.
I arise today through the strength of God who guides me, the power of God who sustains me, the wisdom of God that leads me, the eye of God that looks before me, the ear of God that hears me, the word of God that speaks with me, the hand of God that guards me, the path of God that goes before me, the shield of God that protects me, and the army of God that saves me from the snares of the devil, the seductions of vice, the inclinations of nature, and all who wish me harm, whether far or near, alone or among many.
I arise today and bind to myself the strength of the love of the cherubim, the obedience of angels, the service of archangels, the hope of resurrection and reward, the prayers of the patriarchs, the prophecies of the prophets, the preaching of the apostles, the faith of the martyrs, the innocence of holy virgins, and the good works of confessors.”
I arise today and bind to myself the power of heaven, the light of the sun,
the brightness of the moon, the splendor of fire, the speed of lightning,
the swiftness of wind, the depth of the sea, the firmness of the earth, and the solidity of rock.
I arise today and bind to myself the strength of God to direct me,
the power of God to sustain me, the wisdom of God to guide me,
the eye of God to watch over me, the ear of God to hear me,
the word of God to support me, the hand of God to defend me,
the way of God to receive my steps, the shield of God to protect me,
and the hosts of God to keep me safe:
- Against the snares of demons.
- Against the temptations of vice.
- Against the harmful inclinations of human nature.
The Prayer of Saint Patrick Continues
Against all who wish me harm from far or near, whether I am alone or among many.
Today I call upon all these mighty powers against every force that opposes us: against the spells of false prophets, against the dark laws of paganism, against the false laws of heretics, and against the deceit of idolatry.
I invoke Christ to protect me today from poison, fire, drowning, and wounds, so that I may receive an abundant reward.
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 all around me.
Christ in breadth,
Christ in length,
Christ in height,
Christ in the depth of my heart.
Christ in the heart and mind 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 every ear that hears me.
We arise today in a mighty strength:
the invocation of the Trinity,
faith in the Three Persons,
and confession of the Unity of the Creator of the universe.
Amen!
Who Was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick spent approximately 30 years in apostolic ministry in Ireland, where his preaching helped bring Christianity throughout the island.
A saint known for his approachable and simple manner, he evangelized through familiar and understandable examples.
One of the symbols most closely associated with Saint Patrick today is the shamrock. He used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity:
“Just as this leaf is divided into three parts that form one body, so the three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, form one true God.”
May the prayer of Saint Patrick protect you throughout each day of your Christian life.