"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace..." These are the opening lines of the prayer attributed to the thirteenth-century saint, St. Francis of Assisi. In simple language, such profound, heart-stoppingly beautiful words! This is the first time that I have heard this prayer, and do not recall reading it before. So listening to it as an audiobook was a very moving experience. The prayer is a exhortation to God by the speaker to grant him the courage and compassion to bring love, hope, light and joy wherever these be absent. He also asks for wisdom to be able to give to others and not expect to receive. As the last two lines say,
"it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

'The Prayer of St. Francis' is published as an audio title by LearnOutLoud and Brian Johnson, philosopher and CEO of Zaadz,Inc. Brian Johnson is also the narrator of this prayer. Though I have criticized his narration elsewhere, I think he has done an excellent job here. I recommend this poem to everyone, irrespective of religious faith- not only is it inspirational, but also much needed in today's warring world.