Saint Francis of Assisi was known for his compassion for all
creatures
and his beloved prayer has brought comfort to many for centuries. In the
following, the first line of each statement is his words, and the
second, rhyming line of each are mine, by way of a humble tribute to his
life and work, and his inspiration. As he taught us, the only solution
to the world's problems are peace and love.
~ Jim Willis
[Based on a prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi]
Copyright Jim Willis 2002
http://www.crean.com/jimwillis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
I pray that war and cruelty will cease.
When there is hatred, let me sow love,
may we revere the hawk, but celebrate the dove.
Where there is injury, pardon,
and Your will, not ours be done.
Where there is doubt, faith,
and a new unity of the human race.
Where there is despair, hope,
even as for the truths we grope.
Where there is darkness, light,
may Man lead with his heart, not might.
And where there is sadness, joy -
grant each child a meal, a smile, a toy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
and in the doing may I understand my role.
To be understood as to understand,
and to heal your creatures with gentle hands.
To be loved as to love,
and to seek strength from my Creator above.
For it is in giving that we receive,
the rewards of doing what we believe.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
let us love the homeless and abandoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life,
grant us peaceful hearts in the face of strife.
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