Memorial Day

 

   A few years ago I was looking for something to watch or listen to after my morning Scripture study. I like starting my day in this way as it makes my day better and puts things in to perspective. I found something on YouTube. It is a short morning prayer service that originates from Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Every weekday morning they put out a short devotional consisting of prayers, a reading or two from the Bible and a short message. 

   This morning's prayer Service was lead by a woman who helps to oversee chaplains that serve in the armed forces and the federal prison system. She ended the service by reading the a prayer that is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi although it has not been found among his writings. As today is Memorial Day  and in light of the many acts of violence that have occurred recently, I share this version from 1912 that I found on Wikipedia.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me being love.

Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.

Where there is discord, let me bring union.

Where there is error, let me bring truth.

Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.

Where there is despair, let me being hope.

Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.

Where there is sadness let me bring joy.

O Master, let me not seek as much to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love,

 for it is in giving that one receives, 

it is in self-forgetting that one finds,

it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,

it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.

For Mr. Warren, You are not forgotten......