The days wane quickly, darkness covering the day in such a short time. Even the darkness of depression waxes and wanes but the abiding light of Jesus, the Living Light, infuses the darkness with hope. Regardless of one's state of mind the prayer of St. Francis can be manifested in the life of the Christian. As this Advent season begins it is the prayer of peace that helps to sustain me in the darkness and gives life through the ever-present Light making me an instrument of God's love.
The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy 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.
