The Lorica, or, St. Patrick’s Breastplate, adapted. This prayer can be easily adapted for institutions, like dioceses or parishes, as well.
I just now noticed the phrase “the spiced tomb.” Remembering that the name Jericho means ”˜place of fragrance,’ I’m realizing the ”˜spiced tomb’ refers not only to the burial spices but also to the aroma of Christ.
Our Father in heaven,
The trial between the Episcopal Church in South Carolina and the Diocese of South Carolina is populated by Your children”“opposing counsels, judge, court staff, visitors. We lift them up to You.
We bind unto Your children today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
We bind this day to Your children forever,
by power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river;
his death on cross for their salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
We bind unto them today.
We bind unto Your children the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet “Well done” in judgement hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors’ faith, apostles’ word,
the patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.
We bind unto Your children today
the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.
We bind unto Your children today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to their need;
the wisdom of our God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give them speech,
his heavenly host to be their guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
the vice that gives temptation force,
the natural lusts that war within,
the hostile men that mar their course;
of few or many, far or nigh,
in every place, and in all hours
against their fierce hostility,
We bind to them these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
against false words of heresy,
against the knowledge that defiles
against the heart’s idolatry,
against the wizard’s evil craft,
against the death-wound and the burning
the choking wave and poisoned shaft,
protect them, Christ, till thy returning.
Christ be with them, Christ within them,
Christ behind them, Christ before them,
Christ beside them, Christ to win them,
Christ to comfort and restore them,
Christ beneath them, Christ above them,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love them,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
We bind unto Your children the Name,
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of our salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Please pray it all if you wish and there are more prayers from Lent and Beyond for South Carolina here. We are grateful to Lent and Beyond for these wonderful prayers.