St. Patrick's Day

Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ.”
 
St. Patrick’s Day is here! O’Neill has revitalized their green clover in the middle of the intersection. They have planned many activities. People will be wearing green, while others might sport some orange. Bars will be packed. Dances will be held. And many people who will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day will not even know who St. Patrick is.
 
First, he is not a saint. The Roman Catholic Church has never officially canonized him.
 
Second, he was not Irish. He was born a Roman in modern-day Scotland.
 
Third, he called himself “a sinner, a simple country person, and the least of all believers.”
 
After Irish pirates captured him when he was 16, his apathetic faith became strong. His belief in Jesus Christ carried him through some long, dark days. When he was 22, he escaped slavery and traveled back to Britain, committing to live out his faith. He joined the ministry and returned to Ireland as a missionary to those who kidnapped him.
 
He was forced to carry a dagger for safety because of the threats on his life. The local tribes did not appreciate his telling of Jesus Christ. After many years of service, the king of Ireland converted to Christianity, and much of the nation followed.
 
The Irish left the pirating lifestyle through Patrick's influence, changing their culture completely. They tried to live according to Jesus’ ethics rather than whom they used to be. Their change was so drastic that the nations around took notice.
 
Patrick’s passion and teaching were focused on Jesus Christ. As you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, consider the following prayer that has been attributed to him and try to live it practically:
 
"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 when I arise,
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.