THOUGHT FOR TODAY: PRAYING WITH A SERVANT'S HEART

I ran across a well-known prayer from St. Francis of Assisi. According to Wikipedia Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco Bernardone; born 1881 – October 3, 1226) was a friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.

He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and Italy, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of 4 October.

Francis heard a sermon that changed his life. The sermon was about Matthew 10:9, in which Christ tells his followers that they should go forth and proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven was upon them, that they should take no money with them, nor even a walking stick or shoes for the road. Francis was inspired to devote himself to a life of poverty.

If alive today Francis would be considered an "environmentalist" or part of the "green conservation" movement. Although I would consider Francis "liberal," I do believe most people who ran across him witnessed a man with a servant's heart.

Listen and reflect upon beautiful prayer full of compassion and mercy written by St. Francis of Assisi. May it change the way you look at others and may people see Jesus in you today:

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;
And where there is sadness, joy . . . .

Blessings,

Jody Hinkle