St. Patrick’s Breastplate, a la Protestant Style, Part 4

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 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.

With, before, behind, in, beneath, above, right, left — All are directional words that indicate Jesus surrounds us. At His ascension, Jesus promised to be with us who believe in Him even to the end of time in Matthew 28:20. He also promises that two or three of us who gather in His name have instant access to His presence in Matthew 18:20.

Sitting, lying, arising — These are active words that indicate choice to do. We have to choose to have Jesus present in all we do. Colossians 3:17 calls us to dedicate all we do and say to Jesus.

In the heart, in the mouth, in every eye, in every ear — This means that we, even introverts and those who have social anxiety disorder, have to be seen by others. Just how much is up to what God has called you to do in this life.

The idea is that we are to imitate Christ as though we are the only Jesus people see (Ephesians 5:1–2). Even in our darkness of anger, frustration, or depression, we have to imitate Christ; in anger He cleared the Temple, in frustration He cursed the fig tree, and in depression He wept in the Garden until He brought Himself fully in alignment with the Father’s plans. The idea is that we live quietly, work hard, and keep peace with our neighbors to earn their respect, per 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (CJB)

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I opened this series with a discussion of this portion in Part 1.

I look forward as a Protestant to praying this prayer with Catholic siblings everywhere.

Originally published at kittiephoenixromans08.wordpress.com on June 9, 2016.