Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

LORD, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Where there is friction, let me sow union.
Where there is error, let me sow truth.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is despair, let me sow hope.
Where there is darkness, let me sow light.
Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.

Oh grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

We used to sing this at Niagara Youth Conference many years ago (seems like a dream now). At the time I had no need to cling to the words, I new peace, love, forgiveness, unity, truth, faith, hope, light, and joy. I still "know" these things, but at the time they were so effortless and surrounded me entirely (especially at youth conferences with such strong friendships) The song was like smoke in the cold night air, making pretty swirls and floating into the darkness. Now I hold the words like bills in my wallet. I will not let them off into the night. They seem so fragile and fleeting. Odd for such strong words.