Dear Parkview Presbyterian Church Community,

In light of this pandemic, Rola, Veronica and I have committed to doing a daily devotional of quotes, prayers, and video links through the rest of this season of Lent, culminating with Easter.  My very dear friend, Rev. Jeanie Shaw, sent me this email earlier today, and it is so beautiful that I wanted to share it with the rest of you.  May you be blessed by these words.

Blessings, Pastor Pamela

Dear Ones,

It is a St. Patrick’s Day like no other before. No restaurants, no parade, no green river in Chicago.
But life isn’t like it ever was before. The world is not like it ever was before. But, God is.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.”  (Psalm 46: 1-3)
I invite you to pray this prayer today. Be strengthened. Know that we will get through this “like never before” time. And know that God is present with us.

St. Patrick’s Day Prayer

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
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 everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

“Morning Prayer” or “The Lorica” attributed to St. Patrick