St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian preacher who achieved sainthood and became synonymous with helping people find solace and peace in life. He also dedicated himself to Christian charity.

St. Francis was known for living life as the beloved son of God Almighty. The Italian friar experienced a life of ascetic poverty. He refused to partake in worldly possessions and didn't accumulate worldly goods.

St. Francis of Assisi also composed the “Canticle of the Sun.” The song praises God and thanks Him for creations such as “Brother Fire” and “Sister Water.” This is a reflection of the Italian saint, as he used to refer to animals and nature as brothers and sisters of mankind, such as Brother Sun and Sister Moon.

While it is commonly associated with him, St. Francis did not actually author the Peace Prayer, which we will discuss more later.

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Franciscanism

Franciscanism, established in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi, is a Christian religious order found mainly within the Catholic Church.

Ironically, the viewpoints of Franciscan conflict with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. The language in the first half of the prayer does not reflect upon the values held by the Franciscan Order, nor is the prayer found in the official Prayers of St. Francis. The values of the Order do not focus on the self, which is what the first half of the prayer emphasizes through repetition.

The original Rule of St. Francis was established to emulate the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. The beloved saint rejected materialism and the accumulation of belongings, as well as sensual comforts.

The original Order, approved by the Pope, reflected the saint's values, as it didn't allow for the ownership of property. Members were required to live in poverty and beg for food while preaching.

The Peace Prayer is very simple in its wording, but its message is strong and memorable, making it a favorite among many. 

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The prayer is as follows:

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;

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.

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History and authorship of the Peace Prayer

While commonly associated with the Italian friar Francis of Assisi, the Prayer of St. Francis cannot be traced to him or his writings.

The author of this widely shared prayer is unknown. What is known is that St. Francis himself didn’t write it. In fact, the prayer was written nearly 700 years after his death. 

Scholars have traced the Peace Prayer back to 1912 where it was first found in a French spiritual magazine entitled La Clochette. They believe the prayer was originally inspired and created to capture the love St. Francis had for his flock, much like the love God has for us as His faithful children. This is the reason it is associated with him.

The Peace Prayer is often found on holy cards. It is a beautiful prayer recited at funerals both as a poem as well as a hymn in remembrance of loved ones who have passed. 

However, the Peace Prayer of St. Francis is more than just a Christian prayer for peace that we recite from time to time, such as on the National Day of Prayer. This prayer is a unifier, even among those who do not believe in a higher power.

The prayer is frequently used in American culture by songwriters and even leaders. Initially, the Prayer of St. Francis resonated with people strongly during World War I and World War II due to its nondenominational tone and the comforting nature it evokes, no matter your religion.

Despite being penned over a hundred years ago, the Peace Prayer is still referenced and recited today. Most recently, following his 2020 victory in the Electoral College, President Joe Biden quoted the Peace Prayer in his speech.

The Peace Prayer has been quoted many times throughout history by leaders inside as well as outside of religious establishments. The prayer does not dictate one religion over another or one deity over another, which makes it easy to reference in a diverse crowd and unite people of all faiths.

Pope Francis chose his papal name in 2013 in tribute to St. Francis of Assisi. Mother Teresa of Calcutta made the St. Francis Prayer a part of the morning prayers at the Missionaries of Charity, the Roman Catholic religious institute she had founded.

Margaret Thatcher paraphrased the prayer after winning the 1979 United Kingdom general election. While addressing the United Nations in New York City, U.S. President Bill Clinton quoted the prayer in his welcoming remarks to Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Even the entertainment industry has referenced the Peace Prayer, as Canadian singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan has sung a rendition of it.

As wartime soldiers sought comfort in World War II, they recited the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. This prayer still holds the same consoling power today as it did then. It also unites people of multiple faiths and denominations, which is probably its greatest gift of all.

Unlike some other prayers, this prayer for peace is short and concise. It strongly embraces the relationship we have with our Holy Father. Perhaps the simple nature of the prayer is one of the reasons why it resonates so strongly with Christians and non-Christians alike, much like our Lord God's message of love for us.

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