Wake Up Call I arise today Through God’s strength to direct me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak to me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me from snares of devils.
From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, Afar and anear, Alone and in a multitude.
—Attributed to St. Patrick, from “The Deer’s Cry” (St. Patrick’s Breastplate), translated by Kuno Meyer
God’s Heart There is a mother’s heart in the heart of God. And ’tis his delight to break the bread of love and truth for his children.
—From a Hebridean mother, quoted in Celtic Blessings and Prayers, edited by Brendan O’Malley
Scary Things in the Night From ghoulies and ghosties and long leggety beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
—From Favourite Prayers, compiled by Deborah Cassidi
Spare Us the Fall May the roof above never fall in,
May we below never fall out.
—An Irish grace quoted in Favourite Prayers, compiled by Deborah Cassidi
Another Golden Rule Blessed is he who does good to others and desires not that others should do good to him.
—Brother Giles, The Little Flowers of St. Francis
My Fortress The Sacred Three My fortress be Encircling me Come and be round My hearth and my home.
—Celtic prayer quoted in John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
Deep Knee Bends I bend the knee in the eye of the Father who created me, in the eye of the Son who purchased me, in the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me.
In love and affection, in wisdom and grace, … each shade and life, each day and night
I bend the knee in the world of the Three.
—From Carmina Gadelica
Big Sea, Little Boat Dear God, be good to me; The sea is so wide, And my boat is so small.
—Breton fisherman’s prayer, quoted in Celtic Blessings and Prayers, edited by Brendan O’Malley
A Familiar Stranger I saw a stranger today.
I put food for him in the eating-place
And drink in the drinking-place
And music in the listening-place.
In the Holy name of the Trinity
He blessed myself and my family.
And the lark said in her warble
Often, often, often
Goes Christ in the stranger’s guise.
O, oft and oft and oft,
Goes Christ in the stranger’s guise.
—Celtic Rune of Hospitality, quoted in Celtic Blessings and Prayers, edited by Brendan O’Malley
All that God created There is no plant in the ground
But is full of his virtue.
There is no form in the strand
But is full of his blessing.
—From Carmina Gadelica
Till We Meet Again The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit,
Save you, and shield you, and tend you,
Till I or mine shall meet you again.
—From Carmina Gadelica
Lee Knapp is an artist from Richmond, Virginia. This essay won third place in CT’s “Faith and Consumerism” contest, funded by the Global Consumption project of Pew Charitable Trusts, Inc.
Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
