A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

The Season of Creation is coming to an end with the celebration of St. Francis Day, Oct. 4. St. Francis has become known as caring for animals and for his references to natural elements as brother and sister. He also wrote about loving one anther and becoming instruments of peace. In his world view, if all created life were treated as kin, peace would follow.

Of course, he did not know of current ecological problems or the sad tale of environmental injustice. However, he did know that humans and the natural world were connected and that they depended upon loving relationship to thrive and survive. Please read the following prayer from the Book of Common prayer, attributed to St. Francis, with the inclusion of the natural world as part of the “us” in the text.

Lord make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we 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

Earth Steward Action: This week, discuss with family and friends our connection as kin to the natural world. Also, find one action to take to be an instrument of peace.

Source: The Book of Common Prayer