THE MISSIONARY BEHIND

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

 

Patrick was born into a Roman family living in Britain. His father was a civil servant and also a deacon in the church in his town. Patrick was something of a rebel in his youth, seemingly always getting into trouble for his pranks. When he was 16 Irish raiders came to his town and took Patrick and other youth prisoner. He was sold into slavery to a local farmer, and for six years Patrick served this Irish farmer as a shepherd. During this six-year period Patrick came to faith in Christ and spent long hours in prayer as he watched the sheep. He had a vision of a ship in a harbor and left the farm to go home. He hired himself aboard a ship carrying cattle—just like the ship in his vision—and he made his way home.

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At home, Patrick made a commitment to be a priest and studied for the priesthood. As he was finishing his studies, he had a vision of Irish folk calling him to come back to Ireland and “walk among them once more.” Patrick at once answered the calling, his “Macedonian Call,” and returned to Ireland. God kept him safe from the Druids who sought to destroy him, and kings of tribes who sought to stop him. Eventually he was successful in ridding Ireland of the Druids and leading the High King of Ireland to Christ.

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Patrick’s favorite line was “let God arise and His enemies be scattered.” He wrote of his adventurous mission in his Confessions and left behind several written prayers, including one known as either the Breastplate of Patrick or simply the Prayer of Patrick.

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“Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.” – the Prayer of Saint Patrick

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                          In Christ, Pastor Tom Baker