When Life Hands You Lemons… Pray Like the Saints of Old
By Dr. Potter’s wife, Jennifer
Born somewhere between 372 and 390 A.D., St. Patrick was no stranger to suffering. Although his life began in Scotland with Christian parents, Patrick neglected to embrace Christ as his Savior. After being kidnapped by Irish pirates, he was sold into slavery in Ireland and made to tend sheep under harsh, lonely, and physically cruel circumstances. During his six years of slavery, the suffering he endured drove him to Christ, and he was converted to a deep, abiding faith. After his escape back home, he was driven again to Ireland. This time by a God who placed in his heart the burning desire to free his former captors from their own enslavement.
During his 29 years of work in Ireland, Patrick endured suffering, persecution, and multiple attempts on his life. In the end, Christianity flourished on the island of his former enslavement.
This is one of the many comforts for those called by His name- protection and guidance in all places and all times – even the midst of the greatest trials and tribulations.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate
“As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
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,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone 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.
Amen.”
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
