Overcoming Hatred And Injury

Most people love the prayer of St. Francis.  It’s been put to music, made into wall hangings, and often prayed where people gather to seek God. 

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,

Not so much to be understood as to understand,

Not so much to be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

It is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?  (1 John 4:20 NLT) 

We are called to love others but fortunately God doesn’t leave us to do that on our own.  If we are going to overcome hatred for another person we can only do so as we live in God’s love.  We receive love.  We pray for our enemies and, in the amazing power of God’s love, speak and act in loving ways no matter what.

We love each other because he loved us first.  (1 John 4:19 NLT)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as I pray the prayer of St. Francis from my heart, I ask that You help me put the words into practice in my thoughts, words, and deeds.  Amen

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