SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT WITH THE RING OF FIRE

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT WITH THE RING OF FIRE

In the Bible, the “Ring of Fire” symbolizes God's protection, His presence in times of trial, and the refining process through challenges that ultimately lead to spiritual growth and purification.

The Celtic Church developed a special type of protection prayer, the Caim Prayer or Circle Prayer, it is where we get the word “Calm” from as praying this prayer would banish the storm and create calm. It was a way to surround oneself with God’s protection and blessing and remove any evil. It was often prayed in by ‘drawing’ a circle around oneself as you prayed, at every 90 degree turn. This is an example of a Celtic circle Prayer:

Circle me Lord, Keep hope near, And evil afar.”

Circle me Lord, Keep light near, And darkness afar.”

Circle me Lord, Keep peace within, Keep fear out.”

Circle me Lord, Keep hope within, Keep doubt without.

Mighty God,

My protection be

Encircling me.

You are around

My home, my street

Encircling me

O Sacred Three.

What’s the relevance of this now you may ask? Well, today we may use the idea of “Surround me with…” in place of “circle me” but these are deep rooted prayers for homes and communities. In this time of pandemic and social distancing people are commuting less and dispersed in their own communities. One thing we are being encouraged to do is exercise on our own by walking. So why not make that exercise a circle prayer for your community. Walk the block and create a circle around your home praying a version of this prayer “Keep _____ within, and _______ out”.

Circle us Lord with your holy angels.

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St. Michael the Archangel, illustrious leader of the heavenly army, defend us in the battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of darkness and the spirit of wickedness in high places. Veni in auxilium hominum, quos Deus ad imaginem similitudinis suae fecit, et a tyrannide diaboli emit pretio magno. Come to the rescue of mankind, whom God has made in His own image and likeness, and purchased from Satan's tyranny at so great a price. Te custodem et patronum sancta veneratur Ecclesia; tibi tradidit Dominus animas redemptorum in superna felicitate locandas. Holy Church venerates you as her patron and guardian. The Lord has entrusted to you the task of leading the souls of the redeemed to heavenly blessedness. Deprecare Deum pacis, ut conterat Satanam sub pedibus nostris, ne ultra valeat captivos tenere homines, et Ecclesiae nocere. Entreat the Lord of peace to cast Satan down under our feet, so as to keep him from further holding man captive and doing harm to the Church. Offer nostras preces in conspectu Altissimi, ut cito anticipent nos misericordiae Domini, et apprehendas draconem, serpentem antiquum, qui est diabolus et Satanas, et ligatum mittas in abyssum, ut non seducat amplius gentes. Amen. Carry our prayers up to God's throne, that the mercy of the Lord may quickly come and lay hold of the beast, the serpent of old, Satan and his demons, casting him in chains into the abyss, so that he can no longer seduce the nations. Amen. In 1999, the Holy See issued a revised version of its Rite of Exorcism. In its "supplication and exorcism that may be used in special circumstances affecting the Church", it includes, for optional use, the 1902 prayer to Saint Michael and also allows it to be replaced by another prayer better known by the people (pp. 76−77). It includes the 1886 (Leonine Prayers) text as one of the "supplications that the faithful can use in their struggle against the powers of darkness" (p. 83). The 1890 prayer is not included.

Armor of God Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. The six pieces of spiritual armor for daily practice: Twice daily prayer. Daily scripture study (not just reading). Making entries in a journal every day. Daily acts of service and kindness. Daily physical exercise. Associating regularly with friends of high standards—of all faiths.