Thank you for this reminder of why the Lord put us here.

Hi Therese,
I’m sure you must have heard John Foley’s version of Peace Prayer (I’m from the folk era, which the Catholic church, is trying to move aWay from, they are not about to let church music evolve into heavy metal and rap… and so they are losing the youth, and when they are all gone, it’s all over!)
PEACE PRAYER ~ John Foley
1. Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
Where there’s hatred grown, let me sow Your love.
Where there’s injury, Lord, let forgiveness be my sword.
Lord,make me a means of Your peace.
2. Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
Where there’s doubt and fear, let me sow Your faith.
In this world’s despair, give me hope in You to share.
Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
3. Lord, make me a means of your peace.
When there’s sadness here, let me sow Your joy.
When the darkness nears, may Your light dispel our fears.
Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
4. Lord, grant me to seek and to share:
less to be consoled than to help console,
less be understood than to understand your good.
Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
5. Lord, grant me to seek and to share:
to receive love less than to give love free,
just to give in Thee, just receiving from Your tree.
Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
6. Lord, grant me to seek and to share:
to forgive in Thee, You’ve forgive me;
for to die in Thee is eternal life to me.
Lord, make me a means of Your peace.
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum

My favorite prayer (though how is it that much different than “Let There Be Peace on Earth” — a Vatican II era hymn I grew up with and adore that makes traditional Catholics seethe with, well, anger?).
It also reminds me of my dear, departed grandfather. My grandfather took Francis as his patron saint. One of St. Francis’ famous qualities, of course, was his love for animals. My grandfather worked with horses for many years and always had a dog (or two, or three) around his house.
In 1964, my grandparents and mother moved to Munich, Germany. There, literally in every second house, was a dachshund. (People rightly forget this, but the mascot of the ill-fated 1972 Olympics was a dachshund.) The way they describe it, Munich in the ’60s was one giant version of the “wiener dog races” you see on TV occasionally.
They didn’t want to get a hot dog in Germany because of the quarantine laws, but after they got back to the U.S., they immediately got one, “Schatzi.”
Soon following in my extended family were “Heidi,” “Elfie,” “Duchess,” “Baron,” “Gretchen,” another “Baron” and another “Duchess.”
We took a break for a few years (my mom, inexplicably, has become a catwoman in her golden years), but I was determined to restart the tradition.
So, since the beginning of 2001, I’ve had my own wiener dog, “Schumi,” (Shoe-Me) named after Michael Schumacher, the superstar race car driver — because, like him, she’s German and lightning quick.
Schumi has truly been my therapy dog. I know I’m hopelessly biased, but she is literally the happiest dog in the universe and brings a smile to everyone she encounters. (Especially her owner/father.) Even my mom says she has the best temperament of any doxie in my family’s long history with the breed — and dachshunds are known for their mischief, which is not always playful …
Her philosophy to life (yes, dogs can have a philosophy) is Will Rogers’ — “a stranger is a friend I haven’t met yet.” (Will Rogers was also a favorite of my grandfather’s, from whom I apparently inherited my acerbic wit.)
But of course, Schumi — in the simplicity of a dog’s innate love for humans — also reminds me of St. Francis.
“… where there’s sadness, ever joy …”
“… to be loved as to love with all my soul …”
Would that I could always keep things that simple.

That prayer is one of my favorites. It is actually listed in AA literature as a suggestion in Step 11.

This prayer, is just what I needed tonight. It seems that I can have a wonderful day, and my daughter can ruin it with some beastly comment, and I just gave her the last few dollars I have to my name… and I am homeless. I keep wondering why I do this, keep giving and keep getting hurt over and over again by the person I give to. And then I keep remember why after all… because Jesus gave His all and His spirit is in me. And, then I consider Christ’s love toward me as a sinner, saved by grace (unmerited love/favour) through His suffering and death. Thank God He allowed His only Son to live again so I can have His Holy Spirit to guide me. Again, he gave His only Son and He lives in me. My “sufferings” are nothing compared to the price He paid for me. So, I can forgive 70 X 7 and be renewed by the Holy Spirit. Praise God for this beautiful prayer. Thank you for sending it to me today.
Love,
Your Sister in Christ, Shirley

(Picture of Schumi:)
http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/message_list.asp?pageID=53&discussionID=401431&messages_per_page=4

Re -Shirley | October 4, 2007 8:04 PM
Thank God He allowed His only Son to live again so I can have His Holy Spirit to guide me. Again, he gave His only Son
** This is actually a misconception, and is the result of leaving out the most important part of that statement. It is God’s only “begotten” son. Begotten means- caused to have life, or in other words (or Word) Yeshuah was the only human being, conceived for a specific purpose or goal, all the rest of us have freewill… We are ALL sons and daughters of God, and Yeshuah said it Himself “What I do, you also can do, and you shall do even greater things” That was no statement to be taken lightly, that was an indictment, to rise above all the other creatures on this planet, to make adifference in the name of Love. We are ALL part of God’s plan to fulfill His promise “Love conquers ALL” Bear in mind that God defined Himself as Love…with a simple I AM. “I AM in you and you are in Me, without Me you can do nothing” … That’s the “Good News” … “Go forth and spread the Good News”
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum

Therese,
Ot appears to me that you LIVE this prayer! I know no one who seeks to sow more love, understanding,peace or pardon than you do here daily on B. B. and it’s here for ANYone to access! Bless you, my cyberfriend, and thank you for not just believing, but LIVING that belief! We need more exanples of St. Francis’s type of service in today’s world!

I think this is “St. Francis On Step Beyond”. This is my discovery and perspective, over at Conversation With God
Re- Walter | October 5, 2007 3:54 AM
** thank you so much Walter ! Somebody has finally produced a video of what this is ALL about ! I have been trying to say this for years, with words (but we are ALL operating out of a different dictionary (and words, or Word is ALL that we are) They say a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is that to the 100 power !
This how God looks like
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c4e_1191554936
** Right, as far as God being the Whole. But here’s another perspective (and perspective is everything !) this is also how God sees it, from God’s perspective, and God said “It is good”. They say you can read a Newspaper, from the satellites, and you can detect the movement of a fly (they can’t tell what sex it is, of course, unless you flip it over, if you catch my drift !) This doesn’t even compare to what God sees ! (God can tell what sex it is, and what’s crawling up its ass !) We ALL need to watch this … thanks again Walter !…Someday the Truth, the Light and the Way, will prevail . . on the other hand, maybe it already is with the “I AM !”
LUV 2 ALL
Wisdum

Thank you for posting this prayer- it’s my favourite prayer of all time. It’s so calming and meaningful, and it’s something I know I need to try to remember more often. It’s great advice to follow as a way to live your life, and it’s so heartfelt.

Yesterday, at my church, the priest spoke about St. Francis’ life, and we were all struck by the beauty of his life. I belong to this church, for many reasons, but also because it is run by Fransiscans ,and they live what they preach. We believe in the sanctity of animals,( Who, by the way, were all blessed yesterday, individually, by all the priests. and all the children and others who have and love the animals. as well as humans, and all the other creatures God made for us to take care of. Like our Earth, and what we grow and eat, and how we treat each other etc. It is such a beautful ceremony )
We prayed for the dogs who were so mistreated and their horrible deaths , by that football player,(vic?) and all the other animals who are mistreated and killed for someone’s sick pleasure.I think this football player did all this because of the friends he had who he wanted to impress. Very very sad. ( I am not talking about our food sources, although I am a vegetarian,my personal choice).
Anyway, you are wonderful and this site is a wonderful place to speak out against injustices. May God richly bless you ! Joanna

I love this prayer, and when I think no body understands the emotional pain I am going through, I remember that they can’t, as it is mine, and mine alone. And then, I say this prayer to remind me that I am to help others, not look for help; that I am to reach out, not sit and wait for others to come to me. Each time I do what the prayer says, I am blessed beyond measure. When I focus on me, I give up my personal power and energy to the negatives of life; when I focus on others, my way is clear to a new understanding.
God bless all for the year 2008.

St. Francis Prayer always made me cringe.Still does.
I did not cause my daughters dis-ease therefore:
I can not cure it.
She must WANT recovery with the help of GOD.
Drugs-depression alcohol Hurts everyone -everyone-everyone.
God help us all