Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
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;
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.
SETTINGS:
(For six readers; read slowly and be careful not to rush from one phrase to the next.)
Reader One: (with no emphasis) Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Reader Two: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Reader Three: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Reader Four: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Reader Five: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Reader Six: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Reader One: Where there is hatred, let me promote love.
Reader Two: Where there is injury, let me demonstrate pardon.
Reader Three: Where there is doubt, let me express faith.
Reader Four: Where there is despair, let me share hope.
Reader Five: Where there is darkness, let me bring light.
Reader Six: Where there is sadness, let me speak joy.
Reader One: O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
Reader Two: …to be understood as to understand;
Reader Three: …to be loved as to love.
Reader Four: For it is in giving that we receive.
Reader Five: It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
Reader Six: And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(As a responsive reading)
Leader: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Leader: Where there is hatred,
People: Let me promote love.
Leader: Where there is injury,
People: Let me demonstrate pardon.
Leader: Where there is doubt,
People: Let me express faith.
Leader: Where there is despair,
People: Let me share hope.
Leader: Where there is darkness,
People: Let me bring light.
Leader: Where there is sadness,
People: Let me speak joy.
Leader: O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
People: as to console;
Leader: to be understood
People: as to understand;
Leader: to be loved
People: as to love.
Leader: For it is in giving that we receive.
People: It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
All: And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Hymn/Song Suggestions:
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
“Make Me a Blessing”
“Let There Be Peace on Earth”
“Grace to You” (“Peace to You”)
NOTE:
St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals. He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44.