An Instrument Of Thy Peace

Art Fettig ARCHIVES Home Page | About | Poems | Music | Videos

In this time of turmoil let us pray.. I believe that right now this might be the greatest crisis that we have faced as a nation.  Fear appears to have overcome this whole world and it is a time for prayer. Early in my life I discovered this Prayer of St. Francis and only recently have I realized that the prayer itself  is a menu of ways that we might individually serve as an instrument of the Lord’s Peace. Examine the words of this prayer yourself and see if one particular mission might call out to you.

Oh Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. (We are all seeking to become instruments of the Lord’s peace to serve others.) 

Where there is hatred let me sow love (This is your first opportunity. God knows, there is plenty of hatred around to work on.) 

Where there is injury’ pardon    Where there is doubt, faith.  Where there is despair, hope. 

Where there is darkness,light.  (Personally that darkness has called out to me since I took a Christopher Leadershlip Course in 1957. I began by writing children’s books on positive living, programs for teachers and a book for parents and then I did hundreds of presentations at schools speaking for students from kindergarten through 12th grades and in classrooms at Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College. I spoke for school principals, and counselors and my passion for  CUT Down.

and where there is sadness, joy. (When Father Catoir visited the Pope in Rome, the Pope suggested that he dedicated his life to that mission and Father has written best selling books and dedicated his life to that mission reaching many millions with his message.)

Oh 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. Amen

What better time to make your own journey to discover the power of this prayer.  Right now when so many people all around you are in dire need of a kind word of comfort and hope?   

In the year 2000 I was inspired to write my own version of a song of this prayer. I tilted it An Instrument of Thy Peace. I took my work to a dear friend, the late Greg Brayton, who had recorded many of my songs.  We’ve never released our songs for distribution before but I felt that perhaps it was time I shared it with others. 

An MP3 of this song is attached together with the lyric sheet.  We encourage you to sing along each morning as you set out to make your own journey in helping others as you might be called to do during this time of challenge.  Remember, FEAR is generally False Evidence Appearing Real.  I hope this prayer will bring joy into your life and into the lives you touch.  

An Instrument Of Thy Peace
© Art Fettig

From the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi 1182-1226

Chorus
Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Make me an instrument of Thy peace.

Verse
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.

Repeat Chorus

Verse
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

Repeat Chorus

Bridge
Oh 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.

Repeat Chorus
Verse
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Repeat Chorus

Tag
Of Thy Peace

Recommended Reading

The Platinum Rule by Art Fettig

The Age Old Secret to Happiness and Prosperity. If you believe in the Golden Rule then, just maybe, you are one of those fortunate few who are ready to take a giant step forwaqrd in your lives to fame, fortune and a great new plateau of personal satisfaction.

Art Fettig has identified a little known key to wealth and happiness in his book The Platinum rule. I hope that millions of people discover this little book and apply this giving formula. Trul their lives will be enriched and certainly this will be a better world.” – The Wickman Formula, Executive Press 1991