Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace

 One of the most import figures in Christian history was Francis of Assisi (1182 – 1226).  Francis was born into a wealthy merchant family in what is now Northern Italy.  After living a reckless youth spent on pleasures and materialism, Francis experienced a spiritual transformation that would have lasting impact on Christian believers from his time to the present.

God began working in his life as Francis spent considerable time in prayer and meditation.  During this process, he developed a great compassion for the poor and neglected members of society.  This heart for the poor would be the ministry call of his life.  He later established the religious order that would eventually bear his name, “The Franciscans.”  Through his efforts, Christians throughout the world became known for their acts of compassion and care for the neglected and downtrodden.

 His poem, “Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace,” is a perfect synopsis of his life of Christian service.  It is a challenging prayer asking God to use the believer to transform the world by displaying the radical love and commitment that Jesus taught and demonstrated throughout his earthly ministry.  It reminds us all that we are to respond to the world differently then unbelievers.

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you,  Do not resist the one who is evil. But a if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,  let him have your cloak as well.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38 – 42, ESV)

“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39)

“Lord, Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace”

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring 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;
And all for thy mercies sake.

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.