A Prayer to St. Francis

By Br. Jeffrey Hines, OFM, Conv.

Holy St. Francis, dear little man of God,

you burned with deep love for all of God's creation.

Help me find in my heart that same flame of love

for all of God's creation and God's creatures.

Gentle friend of the crucified, you who lived the image

of the crucified Christ in your life;

help me to seek the cross of Jesus as the main source

of inspiration and consolation in my life.

Loving father of the poor, help me to seek

in the poor of this world, the image of our suffering Jesus.

Guide me to give myself when there is need or want.

Little brother to all people, be with me

as I seek brotherhood with all those around me.

Help me to share my life and my time with all

who journey with me in this world.

Holy brother, great compassion to those who suffer,

help me to open myself to all who suffer in any way in this world.

Help me to weep with those who weep;

to pray with those who can no longer pray, and

to comfort, through my touch,

those who are found in the chill of being alone.

Dear Brother Francis, help me to remember,

during the darkest of nights, the morning sun

whose warming rays will embrace us all.

Loving pattern of Jesus our Lord, help me reach out

to the suffering of this world, that I may,

with them and through them,

come to the smiling face of our most loving Father.

                                                        Amen.