Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Sundays ought to be days of reflection, inspiration and prayer. Life keeps us so busy that we need to take some time to think about what is important, where we are headed... This is my favorite prayer from St Francis and it pretty much captures the essence of a Christian approach to life. The more Christ-centered and other-centered we are, the more fulfilled we are. The following words are part of my daily morning and evening prayer. Join me in reciting them this morning.

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;

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