The Enterprising Evangelist to the Emerald Isle

Imagine this: you’re a teenager who one day gets kidnapped, taken to a foreign country, and forced into outdoor labor. Six years into this sentence, you miraculously escape your captors and, after a long journey, return home to your family. Then, lo and behold, the God you’ve recently begun to serve commissions you to return to the land of your captors as a missionary to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You accept the call, trusting God to take care of you, and return to that land.

Many miracles take place during your ministry, and many souls are saved from sin and brought into the Kingdom of God. But you have to live a simple and often difficult life, because in order to maintain the integrity of your ministry, you have to refuse to play the political games of the land, even though such activity would guarantee you social and cultural protection. However, because of your obedience, thousands of souls come to belief in Jesus Christ.

This is the story of Saint Patrick. He was a British boy from the fifth century who was kidnapped by Irish pirates. He escaped their captivity in his early adulthood, and then returned to Ireland with the Gospel of Jesus.

Much of Patrick’s story is muddled by legend, conflicting stories, and the time fog of more than a millennium and a half. However, one thing is clear: Patrick was a man who placed hefty value on listening to the voice of God. He had an obedient heart that sought to do the Lord’s will.

One of the parts of his ministry that is most significant to my life is the prayer of blessing and protection that is attributed to him (though its true authorship is debated), called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate”. It’s a long prayer that invokes the power and protection of the Trinity against evil and danger. The ending of the prayer has been turned into multiple contemporary worship songs (my favorite being Rend Collective’s recent rendition), and it goes thusly:

“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 in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.”

This is a prayer that indicates a passionate desire for the presence of God to be undeniably evident in the life of the faithful Christian. It’s a prayer that speaks to my heart. And it’s even more challenging to me because it’s attributed to a famous evangelist.

I’ll be honest, evangelism is a point of weakness in my ministry. I wish that were not so, but fear often takes the place of faith when I feel an urge to share the gospel with someone who is unfamiliar to me.

Remembering the life and successful ministry of St. Patrick encourages me to continue pressing forward into a lifestyle that includes giving the Good News of Jesus to those who desperately need it.

So, as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day today with all things green- and Ireland-themed, remember the man and ministry from whom this holiday is derived. Remember his commitment to God, which transcended any hurt or suffering he might’ve experienced at the hands of people who did him wrong. Remember that when he gave his all to Jesus, many lives were changed besides his own.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!