Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

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.
Amen.

Zec 8:20-23; Psalm 87:1-7; Luke 9:51-56

the living God
with us
within us
we follow
turning from death
to life
embracing all
the Holy Spirit offers
with compassion
love
joy
peace
kindness
generosity
patience
self-control
gentleness
even as we face
terror, sickness and darkness
we are strengthened
with the light
of God’s courage

How do you embrace the living God?
How do you follow?

Zec 8:1-8; Psalm 102:16-23; Luke 9:46-50

knowing
our hearts
he calls us back
to our child-like
innocence
and wonder
knowing our need
and that all
is possible
in God
who hears
our cries
for love
and justice
and brings
life and peace
to the nations
as we turn
our minds
and hearts
to Him

Have you been called back to your child-like innocence?

Ezekiel 18: 25-28; Psalm 25: 4-9; Phil 2: 1-11; Mt 21: 28-32

in this moment
we have
when our no
is turned to yes
we see
and embrace
the Spirit and Truth of God
letting go
of our sins
and deceptions
we are
emptied
and hear
the voice of love
in Christ
united
to all
where our joy
is completed
leaving
the hardness
of our heart
our interest
and concern for others
is ignited
with God’s love

How do you embrace this moment?
Do you fill it with God’s love?

Zec 2:5-9, 14-15; Jer 31:1-13; Luke 9:43-45

i will be for her
an encircling
wall of fire
the glory
in her midst
turning her mourning
to joy
her sorrow
to song
and even as He
was handed over to men
His spirit lives
guarded
and protected
by the living God

Do you feel protected by the living God?

Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Psalm 138:1-5; John 1:47-51

longing
for a new vision
we see heaven opened
in awe
of what we see
a place of no duplicity
or cynicism
a place of harmony
a place of love
working
one for the other
with no discord
a glory of voices
each knowing
their part
the most beautiful music
ever heard

Can you see this place called heaven?

Hg 1:1-8; Psalm 149:1-9; Luke 9:7-9

considering
our ways
we search
for answers
and find a voice
that sings
and rejoices
in between
all the world’s troubles
and dissatisfaction
lies the path
of truth
and life-
this is where
we choose
to live
in God’s grace
and love

Where do you choose to live?

Ezra 9:5-9; Tobit 13:2-8; Luke 9: 1-6

we take
nothing
for the journey
but God’s love
and faith
walking
in the footsteps
that have gone before us
accepting
hospitality
shaking off the dust
of unwelcome
we walk
humbly
always
in the mercy
that has been shown us
ever mindful
of our need
of God’s wisdom
and strength

Are you mindful of your need for God’s wisdom and strength?
What do you take for the journey?

Ezra 6:7-8,12,20; Psalm 122: 1-5; Luke 8:19-21

rejoicing
we enter
the house of love
brothers and sisters
in God’s care
desiring
and creating
a life in God’s will
listening always
for the Holy Spirit’s voice
guiding our minds
and hands
grateful
for what we have been given
generous
in what we share

For what are you grateful?

Ezra 1:1-6; Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 8:16-18

a light lit
cannot be concealed
it is made
to be shared
revealing
all God’s grace
to our seeing
we are in awe
as gifts
more numerous
than the stars appear
and all of our tears
turn to rejoicing
our weeping
to laughing
as we trust
in God’s time

Do you trust in God’s time?