Your shield to shelter me

A small tortoise tucked completely inside its shell, which is drawn as a round riveted shield, snug and unbothered by the open ground around it.

Lord, today I bind myself to your power to guide me, your might to hold me up, your wisdom to teach me, your eye to watch over me, your ear to hear me, your word to speak for me, your hand to protect me, your way to lie before me, your shield to shelter me, and your armies to defend me: against the traps of evil spirits, against the pull of bad habits, against the wrong desires of my nature, and against anyone who plans to hurt me, far or near, alone or in a crowd. Amen.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10 (BSB)

Adapted from a prayer attributed to St Patrick, the Breastplate (tr. C. H. H. Wright, 1889), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.