Prayer of Synesius of Cyrene

O Christ, come among men as source of light,
Your ineffable birth is before the beginning of time.
You are the radiant light shining with the Father.
You irradiate lusterless matter and illumine the souls of the faithful.

You have created the world and fixed the orbit of the stars;
You sustain the axis of the earth,
You save all mankind.
You guide the sun in its course to light up all our days,
And the crescent moon which dispels the darkness of night.
You make the seed to sprout, preparing food for the flocks.
From your inexhaustible fount, You pour out the splendor of life,
Making fruitful the whole universe.

~~~ Synesius of Cyrene, c. 400 ~~~

Prayer of St. Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me;
Christ behind me, Christ before me.
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me;
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger.
Christ in hearts of all who love me;
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need;
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The Word  of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.


Note:  I put a simple tune to this prayer, and it has been running through my head for the last couple months.  I find this prayer very strengthening in that it reminds me of Christ's presence with us, always and everywhere, giving concrete examples.  What is there to fear when Christ is always with us?  Just believe.  Walk by faith, not by sight.  Christ is with us to strengthen us and grant us wisdom through His grace. God is our Father, the Son is our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit is with us to help us persevere, giving us courage and strength to work for God.

Praise, Praise to Thee

Shadow and coolness, Lord,
   Art Thou to me;
Cloud of my soul, lead on,
   I follow Thee.
What though the hot winds blow,
Fierce heat beats up below?
Fountains of water flow---
   Praise, praise to Thee.

Clearness and glory, Lord,
   Art Thou to me;
Light of my soul, lead on,
   I follow Thee.
All through the moonless night,
Making its darkness bright,
Thou art my Heavenly Light---
   Praise, praise to Thee.

Shadow and shine art Thou,
   Dear Lord to me;
Pillar of cloud and fire,
   I follow Thee.
What though the way is long,
In Thee my heart is strong,
Thou art my joy, my song---
   Praise, praise to Thee.

by Amy Carmichael,  Edges of His Ways