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Peace begins in my heart

by on August 6, 2014
in Perspective, Politics

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.

peace

NaBloPoMo August 2014

Tagged as:

Laurel Storey, CZT – Certified Zentangle Teacher. Writer, reader, tangler, iPhoneographer, cat herder, learner of French and Italian, crocheter, needle felter, on-and-off politics junkie, 80s music trivia freak, ongoing work in progress.

{ 38 comments… add one }
  • Myke Todd August 6, 2014

    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.

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  • Emily Stoik August 6, 2014

    What a beautiful prayer, Laurel!! Remember, We already have the Victory in Christ and He is always with us! <3

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  • heidi August 6, 2014

    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 HouseMy Profile

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  • peppylady (Dora)
    Twitter:
    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.My Profile

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  • Lily Leung August 6, 2014

    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, BEIJINGMy Profile

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  • Life Breath Present August 6, 2014

    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 – 8/6/14My Profile

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  • Judy - Pedagogical Artist August 6, 2014

    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

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  • Sammy d August 6, 2014

    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’My Profile

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  • John Holton
    Twitter:
    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!My Profile

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  • usha menon August 6, 2014

    Very nice post. The poem is marvelous. God is always with us.

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  • Marika August 6, 2014

    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 DaysMy Profile

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    • Laurel Regan
      Twitter:
      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 NatureMy Profile

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      • Marika August 15, 2014

        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 DaysMy Profile

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        • Laurel Regan
          Twitter:
          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: MoodyMy Profile

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  • Sulekha August 7, 2014

    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.

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  • Corinne Rodrigues
    Twitter:
    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 QuotesMy Profile

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  • nabanita
    Twitter:
    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…My Profile

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  • Michelle Liew August 7, 2014

    If only more of us would recite this prayer!
    Michelle Liew recently posted… Magic WandMy Profile

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  • shalzzzzz August 7, 2014

    Beautiful prayer, Laurel. Thanks for sharing 🙂
    shalzzzzz recently posted… Potato SauteMy Profile

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  • sdparris
    Twitter:
    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 StyleMy Profile

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  • Doris H. August 13, 2014

    Love this post….speaks from the heart!

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