A Prayer for Peace

Today is the 13th anniversary of September 11th. I have watched a great deal of solemn memorials and news coverage documenting this tragic moment of our nation's history.

Now I am walking down memory lane myself: I remember being at Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School for the College Bound. I anxiously fidgeted in my seat while watching the news coverage from the TV on a roller cart in the English classroom hoping and simultaneously praying that my family members who resided in New York and Washington, DC were alive and well. My heart sank when the World Trade Center buildings fell. It was my sophomore year. I was 15 years old. I remember being frantic about not being able to reach my family members to confirm their lives and safety (in some cases for days; nearly a week). Thankfully, I eventually learned that all of my family was spared from the ultimate sacrifice. But, so many other families cannot say the same. I still cannot imagine their grief, anguish and pain. 

Earlier this week, I watched The Iron Lady. Although I am not Catholic and I do not agree wholeheartedly with Margaret Thatcher's politics, the prayer "Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace" ("[w]idely but erroneously attributed to the thirteenth-century Saint Francis of Assisi") that she recited on her first day as Prime Minister spoke to me. I think I am going to incorporate the sentiment and the words in an upcoming business venture (as well as my everyday life).

This is what I found out about the prayer from Wikipedia (*cringes*...I know it's a horrible source *hangs head in same*):

The first-known publication of the prayer was submitted anonymously to the French publication La Clochette in 1912.

Seigneur, faites de moi un instrument de votre paix.

Là où il y a de la haine, que je mette l'amour.

Là où il y a l'offense, que je mette le pardon.

Là où il y a la discorde, que je mette l'union.

Là où il y a l'erreur, que je mette la vérité.

Là où il y a le doute, que je mette la foi.

Là où il y a le désespoir, que je mette l'espérance.

Là où il y a les ténèbres, que je mette votre lumière.

Là où il y a la tristesse, que je mette la joie.

Ô Maître, que je ne cherche pas tant à être consolé qu'à consoler,

à être compris qu'à comprendre,

à être aimé qu'à aimer,

car c'est en donnant qu'on reçoit,

c'est en s'oubliant qu'on trouve, c'est en pardonnant qu'on est pardonné,

c'est en mourant qu'on ressuscite à l'éternelle vie.

One of the numerous English translations of the Prayer is reproduced below:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is discord, harmony;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And 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."

Let me add my Baptist flare: I pray the above in Jesus' name, AMEN!