Oração de Zé Baiano

The song 'Oração de Zé Baiano' by Umbanda is a powerful invocation that blends elements of faith, protection, and spiritual guidance. The lyrics are a prayer, calling upon divine forces to safeguard the individual. The opening lines, 'Deus na frente, Paz na guia,' set the tone by placing God at the forefront and peace as the guiding force. This establishes a sense of divine protection and tranquility that permeates the entire prayer.

The invocation of both God and the Virgin Mary, 'Te encomendo a Deus e a virgem Maria,' highlights the syncretic nature of Umbanda, a Brazilian religion that merges African traditions with Catholicism and Spiritism. This dual appeal to divine figures underscores the depth of the spiritual protection being sought. The prayer continues with a plea for physical safety, asking that the person's body not be imprisoned, killed, or harmed, 'Que seu corpo nao preso nem morto e derrubado nem teu sangue derramado.' This reflects a deep concern for the well-being and safety of the individual in a world that can often be hostile.

The final lines, 'Andarás no meio de seus inimigos com prazer e alegria assim como nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo andou no ventre da Sempre Virgem Maria,' draw a parallel between the individual's journey and that of Jesus Christ. By invoking the image of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the prayer suggests that just as Jesus was protected and nurtured, so too will the individual be safeguarded amidst their enemies. This powerful imagery reinforces the theme of divine protection and the enduring presence of spiritual guardianship in one's life.