Today’s reading has been looking at St Patrick’s breastplate prayer. As part of my rhythm I have come to use this prayer in its fullness on a weekly basis. On a daily basis, before going out, I use the end part of the prayer which reminds me of who I am and who I walk with:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Sometimes it has been a hard prayer to pray due to my context.
Sometimes I really just don’t want to pray.
Sometimes I’m just too angry with God to pray.
Sometimes I feel too disconnected to pray.
Sometimes I love these words of prayer.

But, without fail, these words lift me daily. Saying these words daily has become a good habit. A practice that constantly reminds me that, no matter what is happening to me or how I’m feeling, that I am not alone. Not only am I not alone, but I am totally surrounded, totally inhabited and totally immersed in God.