☘️ What's the story behind St. Patrick's day? ☘️

 

St. Patrick was born in Britain—not Ireland—to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. 

At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity.

An Irish tribal lord forced him to work as a shepherd over his herds. At the end of that time, he was able to escape his master and flee to the coast of Ireland where, miraculously, he was able to board a ship that took him to the continent. 

He eventually sought refuge in a monastery where he experienced a life-transformation through the story of Jesus Christ. He would have had good reason to stay safe in Europe, but he felt a strong call by God to return to Ireland to preach Christianity.

As you can imagine, Patrick faced much opposition as a foreigner coming to preach against the ancient practices of Celtic paganism. 

At one point, it is said that as he was on his missionary journey through the Irish countryside, an ambush was set for him. But Patrick and his traveling companions went unseen. Out of this experience of miraculous protection, Patrick wrote the prayer we know today as St. Patrick’s Breastplate.

St Patrick's Breastplate prayer:

"I arise today, 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 shield to protect me, God’s host to save me From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near." 

St. Patrick's best know prayer is this: 

"Christ behind me, and Christ in me, Christ beneath me, and Christ above me, Christ to my right, and Christ to my left, Christ when I lie down, and Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mind of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, and Christ in every ear that hears me."

Try memorizing them, for they would make a great morning prayer as you awake to face your day!

Through this man’s willingness to return to the people who had enslaved him, he brought the light of Christ to Ireland and changed forever its spiritual landscape.

Enslavement, torture, imprisonment and death for one's faith in Christ were not too confined to Patrick’s lifetime. Today Christians in communist nations like China, Vietnam and Cuba are imprisoned if caught sharing the gospel with fellow countrymen. In Sudan, Christian kids are kidnapped by militant Muslims and sold as slaves. And in Vietnam, when members of some tribal groups have come to Christ, they destroy the altars used to pray to their dead ancestors. When fellow villagers and even members of the government hear about this, these new believers in Christ are harassed and some even imprisoned for turning away from their empty religions of idol and ancestor worship. We may never be enslaved, imprisoned or beaten because of our faith in Christ, but many may make fun of us for believing in Jesus’ promise of heaven and placing our faith in a God they do not see with their eyes and cannot touch with their hands. I pray this version of Patrick’s courageous life will inspire you to stand firm in Christ and stand strong for Him as you tell others about the greatest gift we can ever be given—salvation through Jesus!

That is why he is remembered and celebrated today, on the anniversary of his death, as a hero of Ireland. And so, whether you are wearing green today or not, be encouraged by this little history lesson and the reminder that Christ is beneath you, in you, before you and behind you!

“He or she that wins souls is wise." - Proverbs 11: 30 

“Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work shall be.” - Revelation 22:12

As a soul winner, your reward will be great! Amen! God bless. 

Share this story to bless others! 

Inspiring Story by Team I Love Psalms