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.

The St Francis Prayer is a classic universal prayer for peace and protection. As an adult, I’ve recited it often, and it always soothes me. Sometimes I need to focus on one specific line, and at other times something different.  It is my personal all time favorite prayer.

I did not start reciting this poem willingly! When I was a child! In fact, it was reserved for when I misbehaved! I was placed in a corner of the living room, facing a blank wall except for a framed copy of this prayer. I had to then recite it out loud, and soulfully, for five minutes. If it wasn’t soulful, my mother, working in the kitchen, could hear it and would start my time over!

Although I balked at this at the time, it forever associated this prayer with any need of mine to ask forgiveness or assistance. Pretty wise Mom, eh?…Atala

Share your favorite prayer with us; what helps you can help others.