Make me an Instrument/Channel of your Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that;
one is raised to eternal life.
St Francis Prayer
The prayer above was first discovered in France in 1912, the author is unknown, but it became known as St Francis’s prayer, even though there is no mention in his writings of it.
It was widely publicised during both World Wars and notably sung at the funeral of Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey in 1997. It is also the anthem of the Royal British Legion and is included in the Legion’s Annual Festival of Remembrance.
Today it is as powerful as it ever was, and it has been frequently set to music by notable songwriters and quoted by prominent leaders. Its broadly inclusive language has found appeal with diverse faiths encouraging service to others.
How can we be a channel of peace today? When we are at peace within ourselves, we can become a channel of peace for others. As we radiate inner harmony, we can become instruments of reconciliation and love. Peace begins long before we talk with others; it starts in our hearts and can shine light into the darkest of corners.
Growing closer to Jesus offers us such peace. St Paul in his letter to the Philippians put it like this; 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV
Let us pray for peace for the people of Ukraine and in all other parts of the world where there is conflict today as we listen to the YouTube video link of a recording of the Westminster Abbey Choir singing an adaption of the prayer by Sebastian Temple.
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” is an adaptation by Sebastian Temple of a prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi.
This arrangement is by Martin Neary and is performed by the Westminster Abbey Choir.
