Prayer of St. Francis
A Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offense, let me bring forgiveness.
Where there is discord, let me bring unity.
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, may I seek not so 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 we receive,
in forgetting ourselves that we find,
in forgiving that we are forgiven,
and in dying that we rise to eternal life.
Original French, 1912
Seigneur, faites de moi un instrument de votre paix.
Là où il y a de la haine, que je mette l’amour.
Là où il y a l’offense, que je mette le pardon.
Là où il y a la discorde, que je mette l’union.
Là où il y a l’erreur, que je mette la vérité.
Là où il y a le doute, que je mette la foi.
Là où il y a le désespoir, que je mette l’espérance.
Là où il y a les ténèbres, que je mette votre lumière.
Là où il y a la tristesse, que je mette la joie.
Ô Maître, que je ne cherche pas tant à être consolé qu’à consoler,
à être compris qu’à comprendre,
à être aimé qu’à aimer,
car c’est en donnant qu’on reçoit,
c’est en s’oubliant qu’on trouve,
c’est en pardonnant qu’on est pardonné,
c’est en mourant qu’on ressuscite à l’éternelle vie.
About this prayer
The prayer commonly known as the Prayer of St. Francis first appeared anonymously in December 1912 in a small French Catholic publication called La Clochette, under the title Belle prière à faire pendant la Messe, or “A Beautiful Prayer to Say During Mass.”
There is no evidence that St. Francis of Assisi wrote it, and Franciscan scholars do not include it among his authentic writings. Its association with Francis developed years later and spread widely during the 20th century.
Still, the connection is understandable. The prayer asks God not simply to give us peace, but to make us people who carry His peace into places marked by hatred, division, despair and sorrow. That desire closely reflects the life and spirituality of St. Francis, whose conversion led him toward reconciliation, simplicity and love of neighbor.
The prayer is also demanding. It shifts the focus away from what we hope to receive from others and toward what God may be asking us to give: consolation before seeking consolation, understanding before demanding to be understood, and love without first requiring love in return.
Scripture to pray with
- Matthew 5:9 – Jesus calls the peacemakers blessed and identifies them as children of God.
- Romans 12:21 – St. Paul tells Christians not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good.
- Matthew 5:44 – Jesus calls His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.
When to pray it
Pray this prayer when there is conflict in your family, workplace, parish or community, especially when you are tempted to focus only on what someone else needs to change.
It can also be prayed as an examination of your own heart. Instead of asking only where you need peace, ask where God may be inviting you to become an instrument of peace for someone else.