"Deep Within the Land of Ireland is an Ancient Mantle and Gift for Peace; I Am Bringing it Forth." - A WORD FOR IRELAND, MARCH 2005 / Plus: "ST. PATRICK - THE CELTIC LION"

"Deep Within the Land of Ireland is an Ancient Mantle and Gift for Peace; I Am Bringing it Forth." - A WORD FOR IRELAND, MARCH 2005
by Catherine Brown
Gatekeepers Prayer & Mission, www.gatekeepers.org.uk
Million Hours of Praise, www.millionhoursofpraise.com
Email: Catherine@gatekeepers.org.uk
 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 (NIV)

PEACE

Whilst driving to the North East of Scotland the other day, I was enjoying a lovely time of fellowship with the Lord. I began to think about St. Patrick's Day (www.prayonstpatricksday.com) and asked the Lord for a word from His heart to help me pray for Ireland. The Lord replied, "Child, my word for Ireland is peace -- not politics, not platitudes, but My peace. Deep within the land of Ireland is an ancient mantle and gift for peace. I am bringing it forth."

[Politics - the principles relating to or inherent in a sphere or activity; especially when concerned with power and status. Platitude - n. a trite, obvious or insincere remark or statement.]

I then had a vision of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the word Transformation was imprinted upon the land. God is building unity and will bring transformation (www.transformations-ireland.org).


ANGELS WITH BOOTS ON!

Another vision appeared before my eyes as I saw angels wearing huge boots marching up and down on the land. The ground was shaking with the force of their marching. I asked Jesus where the angels were marching, and then I noticed a red hand under the angels. The angels were marching in Ulster! As I looked more closely, I noticed the hand had a number eleven (11) engraved on it.

The number eleven (11) is symbolic of the spirit of lawlessness (Lawlessness because of the eleven evil years that Kings Jehoiakim and Zedekiah reigned [II Kings 23:36; II Kings 24:18; II Chronicles 36:5; II Chronicles 36:11; Jeremiah 52:1]; Idolatry because of Micah's idol [Judges 17]; Bribery, seduction, and allurement because of Delilah and the eleven hundred shekels of silver from the Philistines [Judges 16:4-5]). The angels had been given their "marching orders" and were contending for peace in Ulster. The peace released in Ulster by the angels and the prayers of the saints will ricochet across the whole of Ireland.

(Ulster, a former province of north Ireland, in the 5th century A.D. was the most powerful of the five ancient kingdoms [see also Connaught, Leinster, Meath, Munster]).


GOD'S MERCY TO COVER THE MASSACRE OF DROGHEDA

I asked the Lord about Southern Ireland and He spoke to me of Dublin. I saw a river, which I believe is the site of ancient battles, and the Lord impressed to my spirit that He also desires to dispatch angels to this site. This is a place where repentance and reconciliation will release healing into the land.

I see a gathering of believers to intercede and praise into this situation. Pray that the land and the people will be healed from the battle scars of the Drogheda massacre (September 11, 1649) -- the killing of the defenders of Drogheda by the parliamentarians under Cromwell. Drogheda, a port north of Dublin, was occupied by English and Irish royalists who defied Cromwell's call to surrender. Cromwell then stormed the town and ordered the killing of the 2,500 members of the garrison.

Pray for the church in Ireland to receive the gift of faith to believe that nothing is impossible with God. Even though Ireland has been torn apart over the centuries by conflict, Christ proclaims His peace! Jesus has deposited His peace in Ireland (we may pray this with faith as we receive it as the promise of John 14:27). Pray for unity between Northern and Southern Ireland.

"Many angels have been sent on assignment to Ireland, and many more are yet to be dispatched. Pray for a release of my angels in Ireland, for there is much work to be done. Thank Me for angels on assignment and for the promises of salvation. Pray for My Spirit to be poured out and for the spirit of lawlessness to be broken under My feet."


PRAYERS FOR IRELAND

• Pray that the faith that St. Patrick had and the relationship with God that he enjoyed would become the norm on the island of Ireland and throughout the nations.
   

• Pray that the island of Ireland would be a welcoming place for the stranger and that many souls would be won to Christ through compassion and acts of love and hospitality.
   

• Pray that God would help His children all over the island to see themselves as they really are - i.e. in His image.
   

• Pray for the island of Ireland to come into the fullness of God's purpose.
   

• Pray for angels to be released on assignment to minister to all those who will receive salvation.
   

• Pray for the spirit of lawlessness to be bound and a spirit of peace in Christ to be released in the mighty name of Jesus.
   

• Declare that the Blood of Christ cleanses and heals the land and the people of Ireland.

Yours in Jesus' love,

Catherine Brown, Founder
Gatekeepers Prayer & Mission, www.gatekeepers.org.uk
Million Hours of Praise, www.millionhoursofpraise.com
Email: Catherine@gatekeepers.org.uk

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MILLION HOURS OF PRAISE UPDATE:

We are delighted that Ireland is part of our global praise initiative Million Hours of Praise (www.millionhoursofpraise.com).

We currently have 36 nations on board with a cumulative praise total of more than 58,000 hours. I personally invite you to join us in raising praise to Jesus every day! Make a praise pledge TODAY!

We warmly invite you to take part in the Global Day of Praise, June 25, 2005 -- have a praise party or praise parade and take the love of Christ out onto your streets.

-Catherine Brown
 

"ST. PATRICK - THE CELTIC LION"
by Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries
www.goodnews.netministries.org
Email: kathie@hom.net

I thought you might like a shortened version of Patrick's life, seeing as it's St. Patrick's Day today.



PATRICK'S CHILDHOOD

PATRICK was born of Christian parents toward the close of the fourth century. His father, Calpurnius, though of British race was, by birth, a Roman citizen, and held the rank Decurion. The father and grandfather of Calpurnias, Potitus and Odissus, had both been Christians; so that the family had kept the faith for at least several generations.

Conchessa, Patrick's mother, was a near relative of the great St. Martin of Tours. She was a wise and good woman, and sought to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

As the son of a Roman Citizen, and a British noble, Patrick was bound to have had some education. According to the custom of British citizens of the Roman Empire, Patrick was given three names, rendered in Latin as Patricius, Magonus, Sacatus. Patricius meaning "Noble," and Sacatus, a Celtic word, meaning "Valiant in war."

Patrick had a brother, Sannan, and five sisters. They all became servants of God and the church.

Calpurnius dwelt at Bannavem Taberniae, which was near the rock of Dumbarton, or in Wales. It was certainly in some part of Roman Britain or Brittany.

The fact that St. Patrick worked great and wonderful miracles is beyond question, and those miracles won him enthusiastic admiration and enduring love of the people.

De Vere wrote long ago of Patrick:
 

"Beholding not alone his wondrous works,

But, wondrous more, the sweetness of his strength,

And how he neither shrank from flood nor fire,

And how he couched him on the wintry rocks,

and how he sang great hymns to One who heard,

And how he cared for poor men and the sick,

And for the souls invisible to men."

Miracles happened even over the birth of St. Patrick. As no priest was to be found, the infant was taken to the blind hermit, Gornias, to be baptized. A difficulty arose because there was no water to perform the ceremony. Gornias, however, by faith, took the baby's hand and with it traced the sign of the cross upon the earth and, as a result of, water gushed forth. Bathing his own eyes, the hermit saw, and he then baptized Patrick.

From his childhood he had been able to understand the things of God. Patrick, in the Book of Epistles, said, "And God had pity on my youth and ignorance, and He took care of me before I knew Him, and before I could distinguish between good and evil. And He strengthened me and comforted me as a father does his son."

Fostering was a custom peculiar to the tribal system of ancient Ireland and was regulated by the Brehon laws, which ordained that the sons of nobles should be educated in the homes of the tribesmen until they reached the age of seventeen -- the daughters until their fourteenth year.

Although of noble birth, the child was not brought up in luxury. Patrick's foster parents are represented as careful, thrifty people, perhaps living on the farm which belonged to Calpurnius, and attending to his flocks and herds.


MIRACLES

At one time, when he was out playing in the ice and snow, he took some icicles in his jacket and ran with them to his foster mother, thinking that she would be pleased. She was irritated and told him that it would better to bring a piece of wood for the fire. Patrick smiled sweetly and told her to trust God and the icicles would start a fire. Very soon, a fire was roaring on the hearth.

Once when Patrick was minding sheep with his little sister, Lupita, she tripped and fell, striking her head against a stone. Her brother was some distance away, but when he returned and found her laying unconscious, he prayed over her and raised her up. The wound was instantly healed, and the girl recovered. The scar remained visible, as a proof of the miracle. The children returned home together as if nothing had happened.

On one occasion, when the Britons had a meeting, his foster parents took him along with them. While they were there, his foster father suddenly collapsed and died. At first, a great hush fell upon the assembly, and then the man's relatives began to weep. His wife cried, and calling to Patrick, she said, "My boy, why have you allowed the man who has been so kind to you to die?"

Patrick had been playing with the other children and had not noticed, at first, the distress of the people. But seeing what had happened, he ran to his foster father and, putting his arm round the dead man's neck, he said affectionately, "Get up, and let us go home."

The man arose at once and, full of life, he returned home with his wife and boys.


SOLD AS A SLAVE

When Patrick was sixteen years old, the Picts and Scots began to raid the coast, plunder, and take hostages. One of the most victorious of these "sea kings" was Niall, surnamed "Of the Nine Hostages" (because he took hostages from nine places). It was during one of Niall's raids that Patrick was taken hostage one day, along with a maidservant, his sister Lupita, and some other companions.

He was taken by ship to Ireland, somewhere along the coast of Antrim, and sold as a slave to a petty king -- Milcho. He was put in charge of a herd of swine and so spent most time out in the fields. But it was there that God was made real to him and, as he said later, his eyes were opened to see his unbelief, and he was truly converted. All of the Scripture which he had learned as a child flooded his mind and heart and he decided then that, somehow, he would become a servant of God.

Milcho was so impressed with Patrick that he asked him to teach his children to read; but Milcho was a druid and opposed to Christianity, which was spreading across Ireland.


VICTOR, THE ANGEL, SPEAKS TO PATRICK

Patrick had many conversations with the angel of Ireland, named Victor. One night, after six years, he heard a voice, the angel Victor, who said, "Soon you will return to your country." A while later the same voice spoke to him again, "Your ship is ready." He managed to escape, trusting God, and made his way to the coast. After a few days he found a ship ready to sail and, after some hassles, he was taken on board.

Eventually Patrick, after months of journeying, arrived home. His parents had died, but his relatives welcomed him.

One night he was awakened by the same angel, Victor, whom he had known in Ireland. He was standing beside Patrick's bed holding many letters in his hand; he selected one and handed it to Patrick. It read, "The Voice of the Irish." Then he heard many voices calling to him to come back to Ireland and bring the message of the Gospel.


PATRICK RETURNS TO IRELAND FOR GOD

Finally, God provided a way for Patrick to return to Ireland in 432 A.D.

So the ministry to the Irish began, not without opposition from the druids and wizards, who tried desperately to keep Patrick away from the kings, for they had prophesied of his coming. Patrick believed that if the kings could be won for God, then the people would follow.


SPIRITUAL BATTLES FOR IRELAND

One of the first spiritual battles between Patrick and the Druids was fought at the Hill of Tara, in 433 A.D.

The High King Laeghaire (Leary), son of the renowned Niall of the Nine Hostages, had invited the sub-kings and nobles and bards to a lavish festival. It was to start with great bonfires, but until those fires were lit by the druids, it was forbidden for other fires to be seen.

King Laeghaire, in his efforts to hold his power over the lower kings, had given himself to the power of the wizards and skillful magicians and Druidic priests, along with their idols.

Lochru and Lucat-Mael were his chief wizards and, being false prophets, they had foretold that "An evil teacher would come from over the sea to their land; that a multitude would receive him, and that he would find love and reverence from the men of Ireland. He would cast out from their realms the evil kings and lords, and would destroy all the idols. The worship established by him would abide in the land forever."

No doubt the druids knew of the progress of Christianity in Britain and Europe. Their brethren abroad had been discredited and they were afraid of the same fate. They were very much afraid of losing their influence and authority.

PATRICK LIT THE EASTER FLAME

Patrick, leaving the friendly hospitality of Dichu, sailed southward and arrived at Inver Colptha, the mouth of the river Boyne. They followed the course of the stream for about 12 miles until they came to the hill of Slane, where Patrick proposed to celebrate Easter.

While they rested there on the hill, they saw the magnificent view beneath of the river Boyne; to the north, far away, were the purple mountains of Mourne, and to the south lay the beautiful hills of Wicklow. Against this background, about 10 miles away, stood the royal hill of Tara. The roofs of the palaces were shining in the setting sun.

When the sun had set, Patrick prepared to begin the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. It was the first time the paschal fire was lit, never to be extinguished in the land.

Hardly were the Christian torches seen to blaze, when the attention of the High King was drawn to the scene. The whole of Mag Breg (the Beautiful Plain) was illuminated by the fires while Tara was still in darkness.

Angrily, the King called his attendants and told them to find out who had dared to light the fires and break the law he had made for the occasion of the festivals of Beltane and Samhain.

The wizards told King Laeghaire that there was no need to send messengers to Slane for they knew what the fires were. "We see the fire," they said, "and we know that unless it is quenched on the night in which it is made, it will not be quenched forever. The man who kindled it will vanquish the kings and lords of Ireland, unless he is forbidden."

"This shall not be!" cried the king. "But we will go down and kill this man who made the fires."

The horses were hastily made ready.

Meanwhile, on the hill of Slane, Patrick had begun with the others the celebration of the Easter festival, singing and worshiping God.

THE OPPOSITION OF THE DRUIDS AND THE KING OF TARA

It was late when nine chariots, bearing the king and queen with two chief Druids, and a number of nobles, came thundering toward Slane. The wizards began to fear that the king might fail by taking a hasty action.

As they drew toward the Christians, the druid wizards spoke to King Laeghaire, "You should be careful," they cautioned the king, "not to go down to the place where the fire was made, and give any respect to the man who kindled the fire. Stay outside and have him brought out to you, so that he will know that you are the king, and he is the subject." The king was flattered and agreed.

They drove to the place called "The Graves of Fiacc's Men," and they unyoked the horses. The king and his nobles sat in solemn state, and the warriors stood with their shields erect in front of them. In the light of the fires they looked very fierce. The king forbade anyone to rise to greet Patrick or any of his company (contrary to the custom of the Irish). A messenger was sent to fetch Patrick.

Soon a bright procession appeared descending the hill. As Patrick advanced, all eyes were fixed on him. Calmly he sang as he approached the king, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will call upon the Name of the Lord our God."

As Patrick's clear strong voice resounded, a feeling of awe filled the minds of the warriors. One man, Erc, the son of Deg, rose to greet Patrick. By grace, in a moment, he believed in God, and Patrick blessed him. Later on he was baptized and eventually became the first bishop of Slane. Patrick prophesied to him, "Your city on earth will be high and noble."

After a "formal" greeting between Laeghaire and Patrick, the wizard Lochru attacked him angrily with contention and shouting. He became malicious and hostile, and even violent, blaspheming the Holy Trinity. Patrick's anger was roused and he called upon God, "O Lord, Who can do all things, and on Whose power everything depends, You have sent us here to preach Your Name to the heathen. Now let this ungodly man, who blasphemes your Name, be lifted up and let him die."

No sooner had Patrick finished speaking than a supernatural force raised the wizard in the air. He fell heavily down, his head striking a stone. And so he died in the presence of those assembled.

The heathen seeing their own subdued, and realizing that Patrick had more powers than the druids, were greatly affected.

But the king was enraged at the fate of Lochru, on whom he had greatly depended. He then wanted to take the life of Patrick. "Slay this man," he cried to his guards.

THE GROUND SHOOK WITH AN EARTHQUAKE

But Patrick stood firmly in his place. With flashing eyes and resonant voice he said, "Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Let them that hate Him, flee from before His face! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God."

By this time the sun had begun to rise and the morning splendor bathed the earth. But at the words of Patrick, darkness crept back over the sky and the ground shook with an earthquake.

The swords and spears of the warriors clashed against their shields and it seemed to them that sky was falling down, and there was no hope of escape from impending destruction. The frightened horses galloped away in wild confusion, and the wind blew so fiercely that the chariots were moved.

Because of the confusion and fear, the warriors began to fight among themselves, and some were killed. Realizing their mistake, they fled, leaving only three people with King Laeghaire and Queen Angas.

The king remained sullen and silent, but the queen rose and approached Patrick. She spoke to him with respect. "Just and mighty man," she said, "do not destroy the king. He will come to you and he will do your will and he will kneel and believe in your God." Her influence prevailed and, because the events of the past few hours had shaken him, the king kneeled before Patrick, offering peace. It was a false gesture, designed to allow him to avoid the present situation.

Laeghaire designed a plan in his mind to try and kill Patrick on the way to his castle. "Follow after me, to my castle, Cleric," said the wily king, "and at Tara I may believe in your God in the presence of the men of Ireland."

Patrick consented and Laeghaire gave orders to his servant that an ambush should be set on several paths between Slane to Tara. The chariots were yoked once more by the attendant who had now returned, and the royal party set out back to the palace. They were very weary and discouraged after their disastrous night with Patrick.

PATRICK'S VICTORY

Patrick and his company continued the interrupted Easter Day celebration with hearts full of gratitude to God. Then Patrick selected his companions and blessed them before setting out for Tara. There were eight young clerics, including Patrick, and the boy, Benignus, who never left Patrick's side. They had ten miles to walk, "but God covered them with a cloak of darkness," so that they could not be seen. God had revealed to Patrick the evil design of the king.

The king's servants, as they watched, saw only eight deer and a fawn (Benignus). It was after this that Patrick wrote his famous hymn, "The Deer's Cry," in which he gave God praise and expressed his firm belief in the Resurrection, the Incarnation, and Death and Ascension of Christ. He declared glory to God, who was his defense against the wiles of the devil and against all forms of superstition and idolatry; ending with an appeal to Christ to be with him always and speak to him through every creature.

The battle between Patrick and King Laeghaire and his evil magicians continued over the next few days, after the great feasts at the castle in Tara. At the end of the feast, the king arranged a competition between the wizard, Lucaet-mael, and Patrick. After many demonstrations on the part of both men, Lucaet-mael was killled and Patrick came off victor. The king and many of his subjects became Christians and Patrick went away with permission to evangelize Ireland.

RAISING THE DEAD, AND WINNING DUBLIN

He spent the year (433 A.D.) preaching the Gospel, winning the sub-kings and nobles over to the Christian faith and, consequently, the people. He constantly managed to escape from those who wanted to kill him, and gave demonstrations of the power of God, with great miracles everywhere.

When Patrick grew weary, the angel who was his companion (Victor), would bring words of encouragement. One time he spoke to Patrick saying, "You will have everything around to which you will go; every land; both mountains and churches; both glens and woods and waters. Though you are weary, still you will go further."

His prayers were powerful because his humility was great. He healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, and raised the dead.

When Patrick went to Dublin, then a small village, the king, who had previously refused to accept the Christian message, welcomed him. The king's son had died that week in his own bedroom through sickness, and his young daughter had drowned in the nearby river. The king challenged Patrick to raise his children from their death-beds, promising that if he did, he and his people would serve God and be baptized. Patrick obliged, and Dublin was won. Patrick prophesied that Dublin would become a great city one day.

PATRICK'S DEATH AND LEGACY

Many of the Celtic Saints, because of their close relationship to God, knew when they were going to die, and would make arrangement to go to the place which they felt was for their resurrection. In Patrick's case, he felt that he should die in Armagh, a place he was deeply attached to. He started to make arrangements to get there, but the angel Victor forbade him saying, "It is not there that your resurrection is granted to you; go back to the place from which you came, namely Dichu's Barn. But God has granted that your name shall be known and your teaching shall be in Armagh, as if you were still alive in it." So it has been since that time.

Patrick returned to Saul, to Dichu's Barn, on Strangford Lough, where he had made his first celebration in Ireland. He gave thanks to God, received Holy Communion from Bishop Tassach, and then gave up his spirit to God. The Tripartite Life sums up Patrick's life in the following words:

"Now after founding churches in plenty; after consecrating monasteries, after baptizing the people of Ireland; after great patience and labor; after destroying idols, and rebuking kings who did not do the will of God; after ordaining three hundred and seventy Bishops, and three thousand priests, ministers and laymen; after fasting and prayer; after mercy and clemency; after love of God and his neighbor, he gave up his spirit to God."

It is said that for the twelve nights of his funeral rights, an angelic radiance was seen around his body.

Before he died, on March 17th, 471 A.D., Patrick made this confession:

"If I ever accomplished anything good, for the sake of my God, Whom I love, I ask Him to grant that I can shed my blood with the strangers and captives for His Name's Sake. If I, Patrick the sinner, have done any small thing according to the will of God, I attribute it to the gift of God alone. And this is my confession before I die."


by Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries
E-mail: kathie@hom.net
www.goodnews.netministries.org

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Reference sources:
St. Patrick - Apostle of Ireland - The Irish Tripartite Life of Patrick - Stokes
Legends of Patrick - Aubrey de Vere. Life and Writings of Patrick - Arch. Healey
Lives of the Irish Saints - O'Hanlon