Lord make us instruments of Thy peace.

“Lord make us instruments of Thy peace.”

This idea came to me recently as I watched a press conference involving those police leaders in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following the murder of three policemen.  One opened his comments with “Lord make us instruments of Thy peace.”  How perfect this seemed to me. Using this prayer of St. Francis as a tool to bring change and understanding and love.

Do you ever look at the world news these days and feel totally useless, absolutely powerless to do one single thing to make this a better world?

Sometimes I think we all feel that way.  In 1992 I set out on the first of the year determined to make a difference, every single day. It brought me a great deal of joy and contentment. Then I wrote my book titled “Love Is The Target”.

For my guide I used The Prayer of St. Francis.

This prayer begins with what I call “The seven petitions.”

“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;”

Since there are seven I singled out one for each day of the week and thought about it, prayed about it and watched for opportunities where I could work to put this into action and then I did my best to make something good happen.

Next in this prayer are our requests followed by words of wisdom.

“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!”

Amen! So be it! And this is our call to action, “Now let’s get to work making this a better, more loving and peaceful world.”

Want to make this your prayer?  Just add the word “Please” to the front end.

At the bottom of the prayer sign your name and you might write the word “Together” Thus you join hands with others all over this world who are striving to make this a better world.

Here is the Prayer with my suggestions.

(Write “Please” here to make this your 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;
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.

(Write the word “Together” bonding with others who will join you in this plan.)

Now sign your name here.  _________________________________ 
It is your signed commitment to making this a more loving, peaceful world.