As we ready to pray for marriages today, I turn to the wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi. His prayer is both beautiful and powerful in its simplicity.
The Prayer of St 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;
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. Amen
As we apply it to marriages, it really provides a roadmap. Let us pray that our good and gracious Lord pour down abundant grace upon us, so that we have the courage to live this prayer in our lives.
And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
