Celtic Spiritual Poetry (21)
May Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ to my right, Christ to my left,
Christ where I lie down, Christ where I sit, Christ where I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in the eye of every eye which looks on me,
Christ in the ear of every ear which hears me. – Anonymous, “Patrick’s Breastplate,” Irish, 8th century (excerpt)[1]
“…He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” – Acts 17.27, 28
Sensing, but not knowing
The unbelieving philosophers of ancient Greece could not escape the sense that they were surrounded and sustained by God. Their philosophers insisted on it, and Paul quoted those philosophers to his audience on Mars Hill. God, Paul agreed, was an “all-around” God. You don’t have to look too hard to find Him. He’s all around us wherever we are.
That doesn’t mean those philosophers knew God; Paul said they worshiped ignorantly. But they could not help sensing Him in the world, since they were made in His image, had the works of His Law written on their hearts, and lived in a world where God is everywhere present and making Himself known (Rom. 1.18-21; 2.14, 15). They sensed that they lived and had their being in Him.
The ancient lorica or “breastplate” prayer, mistakenly ascribed to Patrick (although certainly reflective of his outlook), captures that sense of continuous awareness of the Lord. Singing or reciting such poems as they went about their daily work would help to make the fact of Jesus’ Presence real in their experience.
With us, with Him
Jesus promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28.20). Do we really appreciate the intimacy and certainty of that great promise? Do we see Him Who “plays in 10,000 places” (Hopkins), with us always, never failing nor forsaking us? Do we shelter in Him, rest in Him, rely on Him, and live in the strength of His protecting and providing grace? Do we know the joy and pleasure of His Presence at every moment, in every situation?
Or do we give mere lip-service to His providential Presence and care, while we fret or grumble our way through the daily trials and travails of life, clinging merely to our own resources, wits, and skills for survival?
Moreover, while Jesus is with us where we are, we are with Him where He is (Eph. 2.1-6), seated at the right hand of God in heavenly places. Just as He looks out on our lives from the infinite vision and capacity of His eternal Kingdom, we, seated with Him, can learn to do so as well.
Do we experience His Presence with us—and our presence with Him—as real, joyful, and true? As the Breastplate and Shield for our daily walk with and work for Him? We can, and the entrance to that closer and more constant experience of the Lord is through prayer.
Call upon Jesus to come into the moments and spaces, the responsibilities and relationships, the fears and troubles, of your everyday life. Then rest in Him there, and in the promises of His Word. This is how Celtic Christians used poems like “Patrick’s Breastplate.” By singing or reciting such verses, they realized the Presence of our all-around God, and lived boldly, confidently, and joyously in His immanent care.
Set times throughout the day to meet with Jesus in prayer, and let Him refresh your weariness and remove your doubts. Trust Him in every situation, at every moment, to show you His continuous Kingdom care over every facet of your life, past, present, and future. Let everything about your daily life be a summons to give thanks to the Lord. Pray frequently throughout the day, “Father, I wish to see Jesus” (Jn. 12.21).
Immerse yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ. Put Him on. Shelter in His wings. Glory in His strength. Rejoice in His provision and protection. Live toward His promises. Walk in His Spirit. Trust in His all-powerful, all-wise, all-sustaining-and-upholding Word. Sing to His glory and of His all-surrounding grace and truth.
Know Jesus with you, our all-around God, and live boldly in His Presence, promise, and power.
For Reflection
1. What will you do to realize more consistently throughout the day the Presence of Christ in you?
2. What can you do to help a fellow believer experience God’s “all-aroundness”?
Psalm 132.8-10
Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul
Arise O LORD! Come to Your resting place; Your holy Presence meet with us in might.
Clothe us with righteousness in Jesus’ grace, and we will shout to Your divine delight!
For David’s sake, turn not away Your face, but look upon us in Your holy light.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
If you’d like to learn more about the Celtic Revival, download our free PDF introduction by clicking here.
Other columns of interest: This week: Our ReVision column continues the study of “Everyday Christianity.” The Read Moorepodcast features excerpts from Patrick: A Devotional History. The focus of our Scriptorium daily study is on “Matthew: The Coming of the Kingdom.” Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you. You can subscribe or update your subscriptions by going to the bottom of the home page.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
[1] Carey, p. 134.
