The Prayer's Origin
"According to tradition, Celtic Christianity began in a blaze of light when Saint Patrick lit the paschal fire on the hill of Slane on Easter eve in the year 433. Across the valley, on the hill of Tara, the high king Laeghaire and his wise men saw what was happening with amazement and alarm. For each year throughout the whole of Ireland a decree went out that all the lights and fires were to be extinguished, so that the king himself could perform the ritual lighting.
This was a symbolic act of the utmost importance----a proclamation that he alone was the provider of light and fire for his people. This act of defiance from an apostle of the new Christian faith was thus recognized as a challenge to his authority and the king's wise men warned that unless the rival fire was put out it would flood the whole country with its light and burn until doomsday.
As Saint Patrick and his followers fled from the wrath of the King, they called on God by all His many names and many powers, and miraculously escaped by being transformed into deer. The eighth-century "Deer's Cry," more generally known as St. Patrick's breastplate, is one of the greatest Celtic hymns."
From CELTIC LIGHT by Esther De Waal
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through the belief in the threeness
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial
Through the strength of His Resurrection with His ascension
Through the strength of His coming down for Judgment.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim
In obedience of angels
In service of archangels
in prayers of ancestors
In predictions of prophets
In preachings of apostles
In faith of confessors
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven
Light of sun
Radiance of the moon
Splendour of the fire
Speed of lightning
Swiftness of the wind
Depth of sea
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me
God's might to uphold me
God's hand to guard me
God's shield to protect me
God's host to save me
>>From snare of devils
>>From temptations or vices
>>From all who shall wish me ill
Afar an anear
Alone and in multitude
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul
Against black laws of paganism
Against spells of witches
Against every knowledge that corrupts body and soul.
Christ to shield me this day
So that there come to me an abundance of reward
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me.