Devotionals by Raul Ries

TUESDAY March 17, 2026

St. Patrick’s Day

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….”
Matthew 28:19

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was born into a Christian family in Britian, but he had no real interest in the church. “He did not, indeed, know the true God.” As a boy, he was captured by slave traders and taken to Ireland. The people there were in deep, spiritual darkness. The small island was filled with magicians and pagan practices. In his misery, Patrick believed God was chastening him for his unbelief. He prayed day and night for forgiveness. Through his trials and sufferings, Patrick endured and came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Finally, after six years working as a shepherd, Patrick was able to escape by ship to his homeland. He studied for the ministry, primarily in Auxerre, France. In a vision, God called Patrick to return to Ireland and preach the Gospel to the very people who had enslaved him. As he traveled across the Irish countryside, he brought the Gospel of peace to the hostile, pagan Celts. It is believed that Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leafed clover, to explain the Trinity to them. While ministering in Ireland, Patrick wrote a Christian poem of faith and trust in God, named the “Breastplate”:

Christ be with me, Christ be 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 that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

In obedience to the call to go to Ireland, Patrick brought the Light of Christ into a land of deep, spiritual darkness. In Ireland, a solid Christian foundation was laid, and Christianity expanded. It has been said that Patrick planted 300 churches, and it is estimated that 120,000 Irishmen were saved and baptized into the Christian faith. For 29 years, Patrick faithfully preached the Gospel and lit a fire of revival among the Irish.

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God.
~St. Patrick~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!