On St. Patrick’s Day, let’s be Mission-Minded!
Podcast with Ann Dunagan (10 minutes)
“What about St. Patrick’s Day?”
Oh, we love Ireland (at any time of the year)!
The month of March is a great time to be inspired by the example of Patrick, the famous missionary to Ireland. Let’s also PRAY for today’s spiritual needs of both Ireland and of Europe. As you see decorations in stores and shops, allow St. Patrick’s Day GREEN to remind you we’re all called to GO with the Gospel of Jesus!
Get Inspired for Missions . . . in MARCH
Be sure to also see . . .
A Glimpse of what God is doing in Ireland < < <
St. Patrick’s Day
For many people, St. Patrick’s Day is simply a holiday to commemorate the traditions of Ireland. People wear “Irish” green; stores decorate with shamrocks, leprechauns, and rainbows; and restaurants feature meals of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes . . . or green-colored mint milkshakes.
To others, March 17th is a day to guzzle beer, or to glorify “progressive” lifestyles through city-wide parades.
Oh, how far we’ve come from the real story of a missionary named Patrick and the sacrifices he made to bring the love of Jesus to the people of Ireland. Today, more than ever, our world needs the Gospel.
During the month of March, let’s remember the missionary story of St. Patrick. And let’s use all the GREEN decorations as a constant reminder, wherever we see them (in stores, restaurants, etc.), that we’re all called to GO with God’s GOOD NEWS!
Q & A Prayer Focus:
How can we pray for Ireland?
In previous generations, Ireland was a predominantly Christian nation, even “sending” missionaries to other countries and helping to spread the Gospel throughout Europe. Today, according to a recent European Believers report, less than 1% of the people of Ireland are born-again believers (only 0.62%). That percentage is so low.
As mission-minded families, we need to PRAY for Ireland.
Learn how to pray for IRELAND on OPERATION WORLD.
Harvest Ministry’s ongoing heart for Ireland . . .
We had the wonderful opportunity of ministering all throughout the nation of Ireland, in churches, homes, and in effective family/parenting workshops. And yes, we’re hoping and praying about going back to Ireland, Lord willing . . . soon. (We’re praying!)
Quick Facts:
St. Patrick’s Day 2018 – Saturday, MARCH 17th
Patrick was the first Christian missionary to Ireland. In the United States, celebrations include city parades, Irish cultural celebrations, and the wearing of green.
Who was Saint Patrick?
“Saint” Patrick (389 – 461 AD) actually went to Ireland twice – first as a slave, and later as a missionary. Born in Britain (in Wales), Patrick is widely known as the first Christian missionary to the Irish people. During his youth (from 16 to 22 years old), he was captured and taken to Ireland. While there, young Patrick repented of his sinful, backslidden condition. Years later, after escaping to his homeland, he received a vision from God calling him to return to the Irish people to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Patrick obeyed God’s call and went back.
For the remainder of his life, Patrick ministered among the heathen tribes of Ireland – confronting Irish idolatry and sorcery, converting many to Jesus Christ, and baptizing thousands of people. Tradition says he used the three-leaf Irish clover to teach the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
According to historian William Federer, who wrote St. Patrick: The Real History of His Life, From Tragedy to Triumph, “He was actually a missionary and he converted 120,000 druids from paganism to Christianity.” Federer claims that in the fifth century A.D., Patrick did more than perhaps anyone in history to spread Christianity in Europe. Although druids attempted to kill him over a dozen times, Patrick continued to preach the message of Jesus Christ, and throughout his ministry he pioneered over 300 Christian churches. Patrick also spoke out against slavery, and because of this, some call him the world’s first abolitionist.
Mission-Minded Family Resources:
To learn more about St. Patrick, I recommend Hero Tales – Volume III, by Dave & Neta Jackson (Bethany House Publishers). Along with the short biography summary, St. Patrick: Missionary to Ireland, the Jackson’s include three devotional stories (each with a focus “From God’s Word” and “Let’s Talk About It” discussion questions) to read aloud:
- “Your Ship is Ready” — Trust
- The Fire on the Hill — Boldness
- Blood on the White Robes — Righteous Anger
VeggieTales has a funny “flannel-graph” version of the St. Patrick story, which is surprisingly historically accurate, on the VeggieTales DVD, Sumo of the Opera.
Also, Focus on the Family has a special “Days to Remember” edition of Adventures in Odyssey, with two episodes specifically highlighting the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day.
Adapted from “Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year” from Ann’s book, The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny.
Pastor James Krechnyak, from Life Church (in Port Laoise, Ireland) added this specific prayer request today via Facebook:
He wrote, “Life Church has a full day on the BIG day, from serving tea and face painting just before the parade in Portlaoise, to a concert hang-out event in the evening at our Carlow location…so pray with us that it will be an impacting day!”
Gayton George!
What a treat to hear from you! We so enjoyed meeting you at Josh & Anna’s wedding. Thanks for taking the time to write a comment, and for wanting to pray for Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. Sometimes, when we think of “missions” and God’s Great Commission, we only think about remote poverty-stricken countries; however, the spiritual condition of nations like Ireland (and all of Europe) are some of the greatest needs. Those who are laboring and soulwinning in these areas could definitely need our thoughts and prayers — even in the midst of other huge needs, like in the aftermath of the Tsunami in Japan.
GOD BLESS YOU!!!
Jon & Ann
Thanks for sharing about St Patrick. We love St Patrick’s day because it is centered around Christ. I will pray for Ireland on the 17th. Great idea Ann 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful reminder of what St. Patrick’s day is really about. I have to admit, my first understanding of this did come from the Veggie Tales movie. Hey, watever it takes. 🙂
.-= Christy Nordstrom´s last blog ..Birthday #1 =-.
Here’s another interesting quote. It’s from “Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus” (c.450?), written in response to a massacre and enslavement of newly baptized Christians, as translated from the Latin by John Skinner in The Confession of St. Patrick (1998).
I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland . . . I am certain in my heart that “all that I am,” I have received from God. So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger and exile for the love of God. . . . I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ’s truth has aroused me. I speak out too for love of my neighbors who are my only sons; for them I gave up my home country . . . If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.