Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Few people start things that last much beyond the span of their own lives. Fewer people still manage to make the changes to their own lives that they want to make. Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone, (aka Saint Francis of Assisi) was not like many people.

He lived in the twelfth century AD and was born to a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy. Perhaps his need for something deeper than material riches led him to become a soldier of Assisi. Later, he would travel to Rome. He joined with a band of poor beggars for a time and resolved to make a change in his life.

His change can be noted in the many people he led to higher living by organizing them into groups and teaching and loving them. He neglected to form congregations of fear, hate, and unholy/unrealistic standards like the ones we have become familiar with today. Rather, he nudged the paradigm of ritualistic salvation to the right in favor of a better model.

He traveled to a war zone to convince the Sultan of Egypt to strive for a peaceful resolution to the violent crusades. The particular Sultan that Francis visited is known by most of us. His name was “Saladin” and he was Orlando Bloom’s foe in the movie Kingdom of God. Francis’ goal was to convert the Muslim leader or die trying. He did neither, but you have to give him credit for trying. It was a bold move.

What speaks to me most about the character of this individual is what is captured in the “Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi”. For me, this prayer will become a part of the ritualistic pursuit of union with that wondrous being that we call God.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

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

-Strength of God- Individual-Family