PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Romans 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…

When was the last time you prayed for a peaceful world. Maybe, a long time ago, or may be not at all. For how can one person pray for peace, when inside of him, peace is not even there in his heart. May we ask God that we experience true peace in our lives – of mind, heart and spirit, so we can understand and provide for others, for it is in giving that we really receive; in loving that we are really loved.

St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals. He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Almighty Father, bless me with a peaceful heart, a heart that is willing to forgive, a heart that is willing to give. May our hearts be yearning only for You until that time when it comes to rest in Your loving arms.

To be at one with the Lord, is to be at peace…