Prayers of Francis

Francis of Assisi has come to be known to all spiritual seekers as A Troubadour of Peace.
His prayers give witness to his wisdom of knowing himself as an instrument through
which God’s power and grace would flow. For Francis, God was the Source of all life. He
engaged all of creation as brother and sister and thus entered the dialogue of peace, justice
and integrity of earth. This way of deep relational living sent him into all facets of life with
peace and presence and passion.

The Canticle of Brother Sun

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor
And blessing.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy
To pronounce your name.
All praise be yours, my Lord, with all
That you have made, and first my lord
Brother Sun, who brings the day,
And light you give to us through him.
How beautiful is he, how radiant in all
His splendor! Of you, Most High,
He bears the likeness.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Sister Moon and Stars; in the heavens
You have made them, bright
And precious and fair.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Brothers Wind and Air, and fair
And stormy, all the weather’s moods,
By which you cherish all that
You have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Sister water, so useful, lowly,
Precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Brother Fire, through whom you
Brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he! Full of power
And strength.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Sister Earth, our mother, who feeds us
In her sovereignty and produces various
Fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Those who grant pardon for love of you;
Through those who endure
Sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
By you, Most High, they will be crow n e d .
All praise be yours, my Lord, through
Sister Death, from whose embrace
No mortal can escape…
… Happy those She finds doing your will!
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And serve him with great humility.

Prayer of St. Francis for Peace

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis apparently dates from the early part of this century, and its
author is unknown. It was found in Normandy in 1915, written on the back of a holy card of
St. Francis, from which the name comes. Other histories ascribe it to a time before St. Francis, and some believe he indeed did write it, but the above is the most commonly accepted history of the prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred… let me sew love.
Where there is injury… pardon.
Where there is discord… unity.
Where there is doubt… faith.
Where there is error… truth.
Where there is despair… hope.
Where there is sadness… joy.
Where there is darkness… light.

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.
It is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.

Francis of Assissi's Prayer for Enlightenment

Most high and glorious God,
Give light to the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith,
and certain hope,
and perfect charity.
O, give me wisdom and understanding,
So that I may always carry out
Your holy and true command.