Wednesday, March 16, 2011

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I love the REAL St. Patrick, who interestingly was neither Catholic, nor a leprechaun!  He was a godly man who gave his life to serve God and led many to Christ.


I also love being reminded this time of year of his beautiful prayer which he wrote, called "St. Patrick's Breastplate," as well as sometimes being called the Lorica, and Deer's Cry.  It has been turned into hymns, and gone through various translations over the years, so it sounds a bit different from time to time, depending on which version one is familiar with.  I love it's depth and scope and comforting power, as it keeps our riches in Christ before us in every line and stanza.  Every time I read through it (and also when I recall the parts of it I have memorized), I am blessed with the awareness of God's overwhelming Presence and power in, around, and for me.


Here are two videos that each share St. Patrick's Breastplate in different ways. The first video is of a beautiful song based on it.  You will see as you watch it through that it has not only lovely idyllic scenery, but a powerful everyday application as well!


(NOTE: before you play the videos, disable the sound on the worship music player to the right by hitting pause)




The second video is a reading of my favorite version of the whole prayer-poem.  It's nice because you can see the words as they are read.  I have come to love the rhythm and power of reciting this out loud, which is easy enough to do by reading along with the sound on this down.  You will recognize parts you may be familiar with, but many of us do not realize the grand whole that they come from.  What a rich heritage those who have belonged to Christ and gone before have left us.

Enjoy!  And Happy St. Patrick's Day!


(NOTE: remember to disable the worship player to the right by hitting pause)





Thursday, March 10, 2011

Our WEEK OF 24-7 PRAYER is coming soon!


It's coming!  In fact, it's almost here -- our annual week of 24-7 non-stop prayer.  We clear most of the chairs out of our sanctuary, and set aside a whole week, 24 hours a day, to come and be with Jesus.  This year our theme is "Pilgrimage".  Check out our 24-7 page here for more info.  We will be updating with more about the theme, how you can join our community of prayer-hearted friend to help prepare before, and also help during the week of prayer, and for info on signing up for an hour slot.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS for April 15-23!!!  One week, one thing -- Jesus!



WEEK of 24-7 PRAYER page

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE . . . Sacred Space this Friday


SACRED SPACE this Friday, March 11, 6-10pm

A safe place to seek His face and spend time in His Presence.  Simple prayer stations and special worship in a meditative atmosphere.  Come and go as you like.  We will have a special prayer station and prayer circle focusing on Arizona CityFest.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

What does social justice look like in MY TOWN?



Prayer connects us with God's big heart and the compassion of Christ, as He encourages us to see, pray, and reach beyond ourselves.  Because of this, we are exploring together the issue of social justice (more on that in a future post).  I got a kick out of, and also really was encouraged and inspired by, this recent post on the 24-7 Prayer blog regarding Alana Wiens’ and how God worked in her heart as He transformed her passion for social justice into a size and shape to make a difference right where she is.  Read about her story here: My Town: Justice is local