I enjoy a lot of world music. It’s interesting to hear voices from other cultures, but I come from the good ole USA, and we sell and package our culture. I was always seeking real things, looking beneath. I had to come to the end of knowledge and asking. I was just avoiding going within and really seeing myself.
These words wash over me and I often recite them to myself. I submit them simply as the words that help me find my center. Blessings.
I love this prayer, which wasn’t even written by St Francis, but in his spirit after WWI. I identify most with him, other than Christ. Not that I am like them, but I love the vision they lived. I have recited and enjoyed this since high school. These words are buried deep in me coming alive. I think having it written in modern times makes it more relevant and challenging.
I also include “Be Thou My Vision”. It comes up often for me. I hope they encourage a little, faithless or not.
The Peace Prayer of St. Francis
by an anonymous Norman c. 1915 A.D. Peace 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 error, truth;
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.
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight;
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Quantum Heart 