st, patrick [ 387= 493]

born a briton , with lreland , scotland , and wales all claiming to have been his birthplace , patrick was carried off by raider when he was about sixteen years old. he was taken as a captive to Ireland and there he was used as a herdsman . after six years he made his escape , but once he was back home , he had a dream in which he heard " the voice of the Irish " saying " come and walk among us once more ," so about 432 or thereabout he returned to Ireland as a dynamic preacher.

until his death patrick founded and watched over churches all over Ireland . at one time he spent forty days on the summit of eagle mountain , now known as st ,   patrick ' s mountain and honored as the holy hill. his purpose was to obtain special blessing and mercy for the Irish, and at length his prayers were heard . among patrick;s promises is one which assure the Irish that patrick himself will be the one who will judge them on last day.

                                              ST' PATRICK ;S PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

I BIND TO MYSELF TODAY

GOD;S POWER TO GUIDE ME,

GOD'S MIGHT TO UPHOLD ME,

GOD'S WISDOM TO TEACH ME,

GOD'S EAR TO HEAR ME,

GOD'S EYE TO WATCH OVER ME,

GOD'S WORD TO GIVE ME SPEECH,

GOD'S HAND TO GUARD ME

GOD'S WAY TO LIE BEFORE ME

GOD'S SHIELD TO PROTECT ME AGAINST THE SNARES OF DEMONS, AGAINST THE SEDUCTIONS OF VICES, AGAINST THE LUSTS OF NATURE, AGAINST THOSE WHO WISH ME ILL. CHRIST, PROTECT ME TODAY.