The following prayer, known as the Prayer of St Francis, is a perfect one to pray when you are seeking to live in peace and joy. As Christians, the Bible encourages us to “let our light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:6) The prayer of St Francis is a beautiful reminder of what that looks like in everyday life. This is such an encouraging and uplifting prayer that teaches us how we can live like Jesus Christ and serve those around us, putting others’ needs first.
Our Lady of Jasna Gora, Mother of the Church, with choirs of Angels and our Patron Saints we humbly kneel before Your throne. You have for centuries been shining with miracles and graces in Jasna Gora, the capital of your mercy. Look into our hearts, which pay homage and respect to You, showing great devotion.
Awaken the hearts of saints among us, make us real apostles of faith, strengthen our love to the Holy Church, and implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining all graces.
Our Mother with a scarred face, embrace me and all people that are dear to me. I trust in You and hope for intercession with Your Son, praising God, the Holy Trinity.
Amen.
Prayer of St Francis Meaning
In the Name of the Father,
and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us praise our God in veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
our Mother and Protector.
O Almighty and merciful God!
You have given the Church a wondrous help and defense
in the most holy Virgin Mary
and You have honored Her sacred image as the Black Madonna
with remarkable veneration of the faithful.
Grant in Your mercy that, under Her protection,
we may struggle confidently throughout our lives
and at the moment of death be victorious over our enemy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Black Madonna, our Mother and Queen of our nation!
Trusting in Your maternal goodness
and powerful intercession with Your Son,
we place before You our humble prayers and petitions.
To You we commend all our needs, in particular
[Mention your need(s) here…],
our families, and all children of our nation.
V: For Your presence and intercession
at the Shrine of the Black Madonna
and for the countless graces
You have obtained for us in the past,
R: We thank you, O Black Madonna, our Mother.
V: For Your gracious reign over our parish,
for Your powerful help throughout our history,
especially in times of difficulty and suffering,
R: We thank you, O Black Madonna, our Mother.
V: For the maternal care with which You ever surround us,
leading us to Your Beloved son,
strengthening the faith in our hearts,
drawing sinners to conversion,
and comforting the sick,
the sad, and the faint-hearted,
R: We thank you, O Black Madonna, our Mother.
V: For our negligence in the faith
and for the religious indifference
through which we have strayed so often from God,
unmindful of his presence and love,
R: We ask You, Mother intercede for us.
V: For our conduct which has not always been in accord
with our holy faith nor with the dignity of a child of God;
for sins against life, for drunkenness, selfishness,
carelessness, envy, social discord, and lax morals,
R: We ask You, Mother, intercede for us.
V: For being so preoccupied with ourselves
that we did not see the needs of our brothers and sisters;
the hungry, the homeless, the sick, and the lonely,
R: We ask You, Mother, intercede for us.
V: O Mother with the Divine Infant in Your arms,
through this sacred image You remind us
of the constant presence of Your Son
and of Your own motherly solicitude
as a source of strength and courage
in our daily trials, difficulties, and labors,
R: We praise You and we love You
V: O Queen, whose image bears the scars of enemy attacks,
You are to us a sign of hope, unity, and victory,
R: We praise You and we love You
V: O Virgin Helper, You aid us
in overcoming all evil and weakness,
R: We praise You and we love You
V: When we are oppressed by doubts
and temptations against faith,
R: Be our help and protection.
5 V: When we feel lonely, abandoned, and threatened,
R: Be our help and protection.
V: When we are in danger of yielding
to our evil habits and sins,
R: Be our help and protection.
V: That You may strengthen us in faith
and obtain for us the power to renew our lives
in the spirit of God’s commandments
and the Gospel of Christ,
R: We beseech You, O Black Madonna, our Mother.
V: That You may continue to reign in our lives
on the personal, family, social, and national levels,
R: We beseech You, O Black Madonna, our Mother.
V: That You may obtain for us from Your Son
the special grace that we implore in this novena,
R: We beseech You, O Black Madonna, our Mother.
O Black Madonna,
Pray for us.
O Black Madonna,
Pray for us.
O Black Madonna,
Pray for us
Serenity Prayer St Francis
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;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O 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.
Also known as the Peace Prayer, this text is a widely known and popular prayer among Christians. The prayer is often attributed to Francis Bernadone who was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181. After living a carefree childhood and young adulthood filled with wealthy entertainment and pleasure, Francis fell ill at the age of 20 and his thoughts began to focus on eternity and his relationship with God. Francis turned from his wealthy lifestyle and decided to give his life over to the church. He passed in 1226 after rekindling the love of God among thousands.
The actual text of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis originates from a small religious magazine named La Clochette that was published in France in 1912. The prayer was published anonymously but many believe the magazine’s founder, Father Esther Bouquerel, to be the author.
Encouraging Bible Verses for Peace
Psalm 29:11 – The Lord gives strength to his people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace those who minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
St Francis of Assisi Prayer For Animals
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;
where there is sadness, joy.
O 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.
