Francis of Assisi's Prayer

The prayer of Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

LORD, make me an instrument of Thy 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.

How To Avoid Being Miserable

TO AVOID BEING MISERABLE:

Choose to show love…rather than hatred.

            Choose to smile…rather than wearing an icicle mask.

Choose to build…rather than always tearing down.

            Choose to persevere…rather than giving up.

Choose to praise…rather than being always “quick on the flaw”.

            Choose to heal…rather than hurting another.

Choose to give…rather than being self-centered.

            Choose to forgive…rather than carrying a grudge.

Choose to pray…rather than surrendering to frustration.

            Choose to worship God…rather than constructing idols of emptiness.