Whether or not the prayer below was written by St. Patrick is a point of contention, as most of his writing have long since disappeared,  but it certainly takes it inspiration from him and is probably the work of christian druids

who rescued literature of antiquities during the fall of the roman empire and during the dark ages,  Legends about St. Patrick’s deeds had begun to proliferate, and it is difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.

What is known is that he exerted a powerful influence on Ireland, transforming her from a pagan country with many ancient religious practices, and beliefs into an Island of Poets and Scholars.

This Prayer is one of the most powerful I have ever read and I say it often.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate
A prayer

I arise today through a mighty strength. The invocation of the trinity, through belief in the threeness, through the confession of the oneness of the “Creator of Creation.”

I arise today, through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism, through the strength of his Crucifixion with his burial, through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension, through the strength of his descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today, through the strength of love of Cherubim, in obedience of angels, and in the service of Archangels. In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward and in the prayers of Patriarchs, and predictions of Prophets, and the preaching of Apostles, and in the faith of confessor’s, and in the innocence of Holy virgins and the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today from the strength of Heaven, light of sun, radiance of moon, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of sea, stability of earth, firmness of rock.

I arise 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, God’s host to save me from the snares of Devils, from temptation of vices, from everyone who should wish me ill afar, and a near, alone or in multitudes. I summon today all these powers between me and those evils. Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul.

Against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of pagandom, against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today against poisoning, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so that there may come to me an abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in front of me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man 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.

I arise today through a mighty strength, through the invocation of the trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the “Creator of Creation.”

Well, Goodbye 2009 ( good riddance! ) and Hello 2010 pronounced twenty ten, rather than two thousand ten. Twenty -Ten has less syllables, it is easier to say, and hopefully, it will be a better year with more opportunity for everyone with health an prosperity across the board. I know it will be for me as of Jan 2nd, 2010 I have been off Cigarettes, 7 months, 18 days, 13 hours and 30 seconds, but whose counting. Jan 15, 2010 it will be 8 months since I have had a drag, a puff, or bought a pack of smokes. It was my 3rd attempt and this is the longest I have gone without a smoke since I started the filthy habit when I was 28 years old. I used of a nicotine inhibitor called Chantix combined with the my will to quit. I am very proud of quitting smoking….. It has been tough and I am not out of the woods yet, I will feel better when I have a solid year under my belt. I know people who kicked heroin that can’t quit smoking. You battle the addiction of two fronts physically craving it, and physiologically needing to do something with your hands, you get stressed you light up, all those little triggers that make you reach for a lung rocket. I don’t make New Year’s reolutions anymore, I just set Goals and a date on the calendar doesn’t dictate that, however The New year does represent New Beginnings and I am looking forward to possibility of a New Beginnings. Happy New Year!!