Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the  children of God." -Matthew 5:9

Francis of Assisi (1181-1226 A.D.)

Although not written by St. Francis himself (the author is unknown), this prayer faithfully embodies St. Francis' beliefs and practice.  

Prayer Before Retiring.  Psalm 4 may be added.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy 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 to eternal life. 

_______________________________________________

Related Pages:

• Canticle of Brother Sun (The Canticle of the Creatures)

• Prayer Upon Rising: "St. Patrick's Breastplate"

• St. Francis Pages (Index)

• Favorite Monks: Francis of Assisi

• Born again, Celtic, Franciscan

• Rule of Monk Preston

• Commentary On the Rule: by Monk Preston

• Worship Service of The Prayer Foundation Monks ™

• Daily Hour of Prayer

• How to Pray the Psalms

• Nicene Creed

• The Threefold Daily Prayers

• Daily Prayer: Praying the Hours

• PRAYER Category

• Plan of Salvation

_______________________________________________

                                                         Text is in the Public Domain.                                        

                               Layout & Photos: Copyright © 2002  S.G.P. All rights reserved. 

St. Francis is the author of the Canticle of Brother Sun (The Canticle of the Creatures). 

As Born Again, Celtic, Franciscan Monks we are inspired greatly by the example and life of Francis of Assisi, and have therefore chosen to memorize and pray this prayer in the evening before retiring.  

We also sometimes recite it during our Worship Service.

It is engraved on a plague hung where it is the first thing that you see when you enter our monastery.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -John 14:27

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7 ________________