These days there’s a war being played out on my Facebook newsfeed in a polarized chaos of opinion and fact, fury and compassion, bigotry and heartbreak.
In the midst of my own sense of powerlessness and disillusionment over happenings and viewpoints beyond my control, I felt as though I needed a reminder that peace, love, and light begins in my heart.
Perhaps this will speak to you as well.
Prayer of Saint Francis
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.
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.
{ 38 comments… add one }
I believe we are living in the end times, just as people from every generation have believed they were living in the end times. No one can really know that. As such, I do not see peace as obtainable at this point in time. However, that is no excuse to not fervently hope for peace and prosperity, why I really do.
Nice post, and very much appreciated.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Thanks, Myke. I guess we can only do the best we can do.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
What a beautiful prayer, Laurel!! Remember, We already have the Victory in Christ and He is always with us! <3
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Thank you, Emily!
It’s so true that peace begins with us. Everyone is looking to find happiness, but it’s really about accepting yourself. Hope you have a great day!
heidi recently posted… Babaloo’s Dream House
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Thank you, Heidi – you too!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: peppylady
August 6, 2014
Narrow mindedness, bigotry, helpfulness, kindness and all sort of human habits have been going on for generation. But now with social media one can have bigger soap box to yell though.
Coffee is on
peppylady (Dora) recently posted… My first Pagan Ritual.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
So very true, isn’t it?! Social media can be a blessing and a curse.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
I love the prayer, Laurel! Thank you f or the reminder. I wandered off for a moment, lost in my own web. Almost forgot to come back and comment.
Peace is hard to find sometimes.
Lily
Lily Leung recently posted… SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK, BEIJING
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
You’re welcome, Lily – thanks for stopping by.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
I ABSOLUTELY love this prayer! I haven’t seen in heard it in awhile and boy do I love you’ve posted it today! As I read through it, knowing the words that were coming, I felt peaceful. I always do when I read it hear thus particular prayer, because I always stop for just a moment to relish in its wisdom.
Life Breath Present recently posted… Mostly Unedited Week in Review – 8/6/14
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
So glad it resonated with you – thank you for letting me know.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
I believe, Laurel that the only true Freedom we have is the Freedom of Choice and the only place we can live that Freedom is within ourselves. It is our Choice how to react to the external events in our lives and consequently towards others.
PEACE is an individual choice. I agree – choosing PEACE as the driving force of one’s life is empowering. It fills you with Hope and Kindness. And while you can share your goodness with others and even strive to “show them the way”, at the end of the day it is their Choice whether or not they are going to embrace PEACE and make it part of their lives.
Sadly, there are those who do NOT make this CHOICE.
Thank you for sharing your prayer. I know no other way just to keep at it as you do.
HUGS <3
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Thank you for your words, Judy – I appreciate you for sharing them.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Oh, Laurel. I have no words of solace, but this prayer is perfect. I just retreat -from the Facebook madness into the welcoming world of bloggers who attempt to tolerate by accepting without pontificating. I find so many destructive people who “like” Facebook messages about learning the facts, but they never take time to do so themselves, and yet they are diametrically opposed to putting themselves in someone else’s shoes or political views.
I fear we’ve gone a bridge too far. I seek the loving arms of my blogging friends and choose to leave the madness that I cannot steer back to a moderate middle ground.
Sammy d recently posted… A Change Is Comin’
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
So much truth, Sammy! Thank you for understanding and putting some of my own thoughts into words.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: onehandtyping
August 6, 2014
I’ve walked away from Facebook until after election day, and probably a while after that. I’m not going to allow the shouting matches out there destroy my peace. It’s a negative environment, anyway; I’m tired and cranky after I spend any amount of time out there.
John Holton recently posted… Let’s play a game!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
I know what you mean, and don’t blame you! It can be a platform for any and every opinion, and it can get exhausting seeing and reading it all.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Very nice post. The poem is marvelous. God is always with us.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Yes indeed.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
very nice prayers, but I have to admit I want to know what is going on with your facebook page….but since I dont have facebook, I can’t.
This is my favorite prayer of all time – the one I say the most
In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith. Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith. I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan. I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen.
I love St Joan.
Marika recently posted… Day 61 – 100 Happy Days
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
My FB feed is mostly ok, but tends to flare up during elections, wars, and so on. The current Israel-Palestine conflict has been taking centre stage lately, and it’s overwhelming.
I hadn’t heard that prayer, but it’s really powerful! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Saint Joan kicks ass.
What I like about that prayer is that it serves as a reminder that I can’t be passive in my beliefs and my faith … which being a lazy soul is something that I am prone to be.
I know that it may not be an option for you, but getting off Facebook was the best thing I’ve ever done. Not only do I NOT get updates on Danny Murphy’s, who I haven seen since we graduated, lunch schedule, I don’t get his political beliefs and all of that.
Now if only I could get off twitter
Marika recently posted… Day 69 – 100 Happy Days
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 15, 2014
LOL – Twitter I could dump, but I honestly couldn’t imagine getting off Facebook! In spite of its flaws, I find that’s where most people seem to be, so it’s the best way for me to keep up with everyone. I’m learning to use FB’s block and hide options, though.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Moody
Peace is the best kind of prayer for all. Peace at home, office and elsewhere makes life easier for all. Friends sometimes say things they don’t mean, not to worry as they will realize their mistake and things will be ok. Have faith.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Thank you, Sulekha. Peace really is what we all need.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
August 7, 2014
My favourite prayer! Social media does bring its share of discord, doesn’t it. I try to focus on all the good things it brings to me – including your blog updates!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… Inspirational Growth Quotes
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Yes, social media can be a double-edged sword! Thankfully, though, it’s mostly pretty great.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: nabanita21
August 7, 2014
I think we all need to read this once in today’s times of turmoil….And when the turmoil is brought by social media sometimes it’s better to shut it out and a prayer definitely helps…
nabanita recently posted… Just One Lasting Friendship…
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
I just wonder what an amazing world we would have if everyone read it and took it to heart!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
If only more of us would recite this prayer!
Michelle Liew recently posted… Magic Wand
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
Yes, indeed!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Beautiful prayer, Laurel. Thanks for sharing
shalzzzzz recently posted… Potato Saute
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
You’re most welcome.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: From Nature
Twitter: SylvieGalloway
August 8, 2014
As a non-violent/mystical empath, St. Francis’s soul resonates with me, and easily defines what I feel to be my personal purpose while on this green and blue orb. Thanks for sharing it will all of us.
sdparris recently posted… Sheer Artistry, Pre-School Style
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 8, 2014
You are most welcome… glad you stopped by.
Love this post….speaks from the heart!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 14, 2014
Thank you, Doris.
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