When you are not sure with how things are going, prayer serves as a powerful source of comfort and strength. One of the most poignant prayers that resonates deeply with many is the “St Francis Prayer Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace.” it is a priceless prayer, attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, encapsulates the essence of seeking peace and embodying the qualities of Christ-like love and compassion.
In this article, we explore various prayers of encouragement tailored for difficult times, drawing inspiration from the heartfelt plea in the St Francis Prayer to be instruments of peace and hope in our lives and the lives of others.
St Francis Prayer Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace
The St Francis Prayer is a power of light that guides us to become vessels of peace amidst turmoil. It urges us to bring love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury, and faith where there is doubt.
As we navigate through life’s challenges, these prayers are designed to provide solace and encouragement, aligning our hearts with the divine purpose of spreading peace and love. By invoking these prayers in times of weakness, grief, fear, or uncertainty, we can draw closer to God, finding renewed strength and purpose in His promises.
The Prayer
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;
and 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.Amen.
What to Note
The Prayer of St. Francis, often called the “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace” prayer, is a beautiful and enduring plea for peace, both within ourselves and in the world around us. While the prayer is not historically credited to St. Francis of Assisi himself, it perfectly embodies the spirit of the beloved saint, known for his emphasis on love, compassion, and reconciliation.
The prayer begins with a powerful plea: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” It’s a recognition of our own limitations and a yearning to be a conduit for God’s peace in the world. It continues with a series of powerful contrasts, outlining the desire to bring love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury, and faith where there is doubt. Each line builds upon the previous one, culminating in a world transformed by the light of God’s peace.
The second half of the prayer takes a more of self reflection. It speaks of the transformative power of selflessness. We pray not just to be consoled, but to console others; not just to be understood, but to understand. True joy, the prayer suggests, comes from giving rather than receiving, and forgiveness is a gift that benefits both the giver and the receiver. The prayer concludes with an important truth: “It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” This part can be seen in various forms, but it ultimately speaks to the idea that letting go of our pride and surrendering to something greater than ourselves allows us to experience true peace and fulfillment.
The Prayer of St. Francis is a call to action. It asks us to not be inactive participants when there is a disagreement and suffering. It urges us to be active agents of peace, spreading love, forgiveness, and understanding wherever we go. This prayer is a very important message, speaking as deeply today as it ever has.
Conclusion
Incorporating the spirit of the St Francis Prayer “Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace” into our daily lives allows us to transform our own struggles into opportunities for growth and service. Each prayer outlined in this article is a step towards becoming an instrument of God’s peace, providing a pathway to navigate through the trials of life with faith and resilience. Whether we are seeking strength, peace, comfort, hope, or guidance, these prayers remind us that we are not alone in our journey.
As we face life’s challenge, let us remember the profound wisdom in the St Francis Prayer. By embodying its principles, we can become beacons of light in a world that often seems overshadowed by darkness. Each time we pray for courage in fear, hope in despair, or peace in turmoil, we are aligning ourselves with God’s will and embracing our role as His instruments of peace. May these prayers empower us to carry forward the message of love, forgiveness, and unity, uplifting not only our spirits but also those around us.
Ultimately, the essence of the St Francis Prayer is about transformation—transforming our own hearts and extending that change outward to make a difference in the world. As we commit these prayers to our hearts, let us strive to live by their words, bringing the peace of Christ into every corner of our lives. In doing so, we fulfill the beautiful call to be instruments of God’s peace, echoing the timeless legacy of St. Francis of Assisi.
