It’s that time of the year again! Where Ireland and the world celebrate, where ‘Irishness’ becomes a global event, and everything turns green for a day. Politicians meet to share shamrocks, pubs are filled with traditional music and Guinness drinking patrons, and everyone enjoys a day off school and work.
Yes, it’s St. Patrick’s Day once again!
In some ways, Patrick is both a myth and a legend. “Some man for one man” as the saying goes. Tales of his exploits both boggle the mind and cause an awe to arise of what he accomplished by the grace of God. Albeit not the first missionary to Ireland, he is by far and above the name we connect with Christianity and Celtic spirituality. If the Irish saved civilisation, then surely Patricius was at the head of that particular endeavour.
In Ireland today, St. Patrick’s Day is more of a celebration of being Irish than understanding the man who stands as Christian Ireland’s most famous son. More recognisable today for ridding snakes than for trinitarian clarity. Yet, under the shamrocks, leprechauns and marketing, has St. Patrick become myth and legend for Christians as much as anyone else? Does his missionary zeal inspire us to do likewise, or just enjoy a day to celebrate what he did centuries ago?
Over the next few days we will read wonderfully written pieces delighting in Patrick’s missionary journey around Ireland. His bravery, poise, wisdom and words adorning social media accounts of Christians from around the globe. What a great guy St. Patrick was! However, in Ireland, we are living in a darkness much akin to the Ireland that Patrick arrived to almost 1600 years ago. His Confessions are powerful because they are not only the enlightened prose of someone who viewed the plight of the Irish people who had enslaved him, but the heartbroken passion of a man who gave his service, and in many cases, risked his life for the cause of Christ. In escaping his surely brutal early years, he accepted the call to return, not for the glory, gain or future green rivers, but with a heart burdened for the Irish people.
Rather than saying a possibly well-deserved good riddance to the Emerald Isle, Patrick shared a vision that would change his life, and give cause to celebrate him for future generations…
“I saw, in a nocturnal vision, a man named Victoricus coming as if from Ireland, with a large parcel of letters, one of which he handed to me. On reading the beginning of it, I found it contained these words: ‘The voice of the Irish;’ and while reading it I thought I heard, at the same moment, the voice of a multitude of persons near the Wood of Foclut, which is near the western sea; and they cried out, as if with one voice, ‘We entreat thee, holy youth, to come and henceforth walk amongst us. ‘ And I was greatly affected in my heart, and could read no longer; and then I awoke.”
Over the past few weeks I’ve been encouraged by people who are being burdened for the work of God in Ireland. Like Patrick it would mean taking both a step of faith, but also a step out of a comfort zone. I wonder if while celebrating St Patrick’s Day this year, that you would take a few moments to pray and to consider the need in Ireland, particularly small towns and rural communities that are so profoundly unreached by the same Gospel that Patrick proclaimed? When we came to the west of Ireland almost 8 years ago there were 72 towns with a population of 5000+ with no Gospel witness. That number has increased to over 120. The reality of Ireland being an unreached nation is hard for many people to comprehend, or to imagine, and yet is stands as a heavy truth. Being unreached is more than having limited numbers, but limited resources, leaders and ability to reach ourselves as a nation. So as you pray, consider not only God’s awesome power and generous grace, but if you could be an answer to those prayers. If the 'voice of the Irish' rings out to call people to once again walk among us with missional zeal and Gospel clarity - would it awaken you and cause you to come?
Here are some ways that you could pray on St. Patrick's Day...
Pray for God to bring revival to Ireland, and to awaken the souls of men and women to worship the Saviour that Patrick so faithfully served.
Pray for the churches in Ireland that are small, struggling and yet resiliently doing the work of mission in their local areas. That God would grant effectiveness and fruitfulness for His glory.
Pray for people to hear a similar call to Ireland that Patrick did. Either for Irish people to return to reach their homeland, or for God to send people to see the Gospel planted in unreached areas across this nation.
Year after year we celebrate, and yet, we faithfully long that before the next St. Patrick's Day arrives that God raises up a people who will serve with the same passion and desire that Patrick had. To see an Ireland, not only covered in green grass, but with the glory of God and the praises of His people.
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