st. patrick's breastplate prayer

i bind unto myself, today, the strong name of the trinity, 

by invocation of the same, the three in one and one in three.

i bind this day to me forever by power of faith, christ’s incarnation,

his baptism in the jordan river, his death on cross for my salvation,

his bursting from the spicéd tomb, his riding up the heavenly way, 

his coming at the day of doom, i bind unto myself, today.

i bind unto myself the power of the great love of the cherubim,

the sweet well-done in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim,

confessor’s faith, apostle’s word, the patriarch’s prayers, the prophet’s scrolls,

all good deeds done unto the lord, and purity of virgin souls.

i bind unto myself, today, the virtues of the starlit heaven, 

the glorious sun’s lifegiving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even,

the flashing of the lightning, free, the whirling wind’s termpestuous shocks,

the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself, today, the power of god to hold and lead,

his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken to my need,

the wisdom of my god to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,

the word of god to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard

against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, 

the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course:

few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours:

against their fierce hostility i bind to me these holy powers,

against all satan’s spells and wiles, against false words of heresy,

against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart’s idolatry,

against the wizard’s evil craft, against the death wound and the burning, 

the choking wave and the poisoned shaft: protect me christ, ‘til thy returning.

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 who love me. christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

i bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the trinity, 

by invocation of the same, the three in one and one in three

of whom all nature hath creation: eternal father, spirit, word.

praise to the lord of my salvation. salvation is of christ the lord.