Seeking Protection and Peace before You Sleep - Your Nightly Prayer
Seeking Protection and Peace before You Sleep
Your Nightly Prayer for Apr. 15, 2025
By Sophia Bricker
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." - 2 Thessalonians 3:3
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Imagine the fear of being taken from your home to a foreign land where you are forced to work as a slave. That is what Patrick experienced as a young man when he was kidnapped by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. Yet, despite his physical and societal position, God was with him. Finding comfort and protection in the Lord was something that Patrick would continue to do for the rest of his life, including when he returned to Ireland after gaining his freedom to proclaim the gospel.
One of the ways St. Patrick sought help was through prayer. The Breastplate Prayer or Lorica is traditionally attributed to him as a prayer he used during his ministry to ask for the Lord’s protection. Not only was he in danger to those who might want to thwart his work, but he would have encountered spiritual warfare. He trusted as the Apostle Paul taught in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, that the Lord would give him strength and protect him from the devil. We see the evidence of this in the Lorica, a prayer of protection meant to be said in the morning. These words are not magical incantations to ward off harm but are used to affirm and request Christ’s help in the service of the day. Patrick prayed for Jesus to protect him while also acknowledging Christ’s presence with him: “Christ ever with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me” (The Confession of Saint Patrick, translated by John Skinner, Image Books, 1998, p. 80).
We can also experience fear of people and spiritual attack today because life in a broken world is neither safe nor easy. But our Lord promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He is faithful in being with us and provides the strength to get us through overwhelming and fearful situations, including when Satan tempts or accuses us. When we submit to the Lord and resist the devil, our enemy flees (James 4:7).
St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer is intended to be recited upon waking, but we can also use or model our prayers after it before going to sleep. We can pray for the Lord’s protection from the terrors of the night and the worries that plague our minds. Peace might not cover our hearts instantly, but we can be assured that God is with us. He is our refuge – and under His wings, we can rest safe from the enemy’s attack (Psalm 91:4).
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
(Based on St. Patrick’s Lorica, also known as the Cry of the Deer).
Jesus,
You are with me as I walk through the day and as I sleep at night. You are beside and behind me – and You go before me. Guard me from the fears that assail me and the flaming arrows of the evil one. In You, I place my trust because You are my Strength, Shield, and Hope. I close my eyes tonight, knowing You are ever-present with me. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, I pray.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. A time when God brought you comfort during distress. What did He do, and how can the memory of this event comfort you?
2. Something that makes you feel safe, such as a place, object, or person. Is there an aspect or detail about this thing or person that stands out to you?
3. Armor. The prayer attributed to St. Patrick is commonly called the Breastplate Prayer, referring to the imagery of a piece of armor used to protect a soldier or warrior’s core – including his heart. How might thinking of this image as you pray encourage you to know that God is guarding your heart? (Consider also the connection to the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18)
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Jeremy Bishop
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