Prayer of Saint Francis of
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
A Prayer to Learn to Pray by Dr. Peter Marshall
Lord, teach us to pray. Some of us are not skilled in the art of prayer. As we draw near to you in thought, our spirits long for your Spirit, and reach out for you, longing to feel you near. We know not how to express the deepest emotions that lie hidden in our hearts.
In these moments, we have no polished phrases with which to impress one another, no finely molded, and delicately turned clauses to present to you. Nor would we be confined to conventional petitions and repeat our prayers like the unwinding of a much-exposed film. We know, our Father, that we are closest to you when we have left behind the things that have held us captive so long
We would not be ignorant in prayer and, like children, make want lists for you. Rather, we pray that you will give unto us only what we really need. We would not make our prayers the importuning of you, an omnipotent God, to do what we want you to do. Rather, give us the vision, the courage that shall enlarge our horizons and stretch our faith to the adventure of seeking your loving will for our lives
We thank you that you are hearing us even now. We thank you for the grace of prayer. We thank you for yourself. Amen. -Peter
A Prayer for Family by Dr. Peter Marshall
Lord Jesus, we would thank you that you have blessed our home with the gift of young life; for we know that through our children you will remind us of God.
We do resolve, by your help, to honor you in all our relationships – in our home, so that it may be your temple; in our hearts, where you do love to swell; in our place of business, that it may become an adventure in living our faith.
And now, Lord, we place every member of our family in your care and keeping. We think of ____________ and __________________ and _____________________. Bless them every one. Be with us this day – in our work and in our play. In Jesus’ name. Amen. -Peter
A Prayer for those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which face them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
