Prayer Life
Community and Prayer are two things that are essential in our lives. As Franciscan women, we pray “always and everywhere.” While the Eucharist remains central to our lives, prayer enriches us in a variety of forms, both communally and individually. Following the example of Francis, we live in community relationships with our sisters. Community with our sisters offers mutual support, helps us grow in faith and enables us to witness Christian charity.
The following elements are essential to community life:
- A commitment to come together as community to share values, direction, and expectations
- A commitment to pray individually and communally in a manner that is meaningful and spiritually nourishing
- A commitment to share faith, to love one another, and to provide for reconciliation and forgiveness
- A commitment to strive for balance among the various aspects of life in community
- A commitment to the concerns and needs of the church and the world, especially regarding peace and justice, in light of the gospel.
In prayer ministry we relate to God in every moment of our living, believing that our thanksgiving, praise, sorrow and needs are heard. With joy and humility, we give thanks for all that God continues to accomplish within us, among us, and through us!
Franciscan Prayers
Peace Prayer
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;
And 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.
Prayer of St. Clare of Assisi
What you hold,
May you always hold.
What you do,
May you always do
And never abandon.
But with swift pace, light step,
And unswerving feet,
So that even your steps
Stir up no dust,
Go forward, securely,
Joyfully and swiftly…
In pursuit of that perfection
To which the Spirit of the Lord
Has called you.
Canticle of Creation
O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory,
honor and all blessing.
Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation
and especially for our Brother Sun,
who brings us the day and the light;
he is strong and shines magnificently.
O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon,
and for the stars
which you have set shining and lovely
in the heavens.
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Brothers Wind and Air
and every kind of weather
by which you, Lord,
uphold life in all your creatures.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
who is very useful to us,
and humble and precious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom you give us light in the darkness:
he is bright and lively and strong.
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Earth, our Mother,
who nourishes us and sustains us,
bringing forth
fruits and vegetables of many kinds
and flowers of many colors.
Be praised, my Lord,
for those who forgive for love of you;
and for those
who bear sickness and weakness
in peace and patience
– you will grant them a crown.
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death,
whom we must all face.
I praise and bless you, Lord,
and I give thanks to you,
and I will serve you in all humility.
Prayer Before the Crucifix
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me
true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command. Amen.
Blessing of St. Francis of Assisi
The Lord bless you and keep you.
May He show His face to you and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace.
The Lord bless you!
Scripture Readings
Daily Scripture Readings
Visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for daily readings.
Scripture Readings
Following is a list of suggested readings for persons in the process of vocation discernment:
Genesis 12:1-9 (The call of Abram.) Pray for the gift of alertness to respond.
Exodus 3:1-15 (The call of Moses.) Pray for a sense of purpose and mission.
Judges 6:11-24 (The call of Gideon.) Pray for the grace to trust in God’s Word and in the power of His strength.
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (The call of Samuel.) Pray for the gift of listening to God’s voice.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (The call of David.) Pray for the gift of seeing beyond appearances to the heart.
Isaiah 6:1-8 (The call of Isaiah.) Pray for a sense of God’s holiness and power.
Jeremiah 1:4-10 (The call of Jeremiah.) Pray for a sense of God’s unique plan for each person.
Jonah 1:1-4:11 (The call of Jonah.) Pray for the gift of courage not to flee from God’s call.
Luke 1:26-38 (The call of Mary.) Pray for the grace of humility in accepting God’s Will.
Matthew 3:13-17 (The Baptism of Jesus.) Pray for a sense of joining in the mission of Jesus through our own baptism.
Luke 5:1-11 (The call of the first four Disciples.) Pray for a sense of excitement at the task of spreading the Gospel.
Mark 2:13-17 (The call of Levi.) Pray for the gift to be able to accept one’s weaknesses and the continual need for repentance.
Luke 6:12-16 (The choosing of the twelve Apostles.) Pray for wisdom in discerning God’s Will.
Luke 10:1-12,16-20 (The mission of the Seventy.) Pray the Lord of the harvest to send us into His harvest.
Mark 10:17-31 (The rich young man.) Pray for detachment from all that keeps us from Jesus.
Luke 19:1-10 (The conversion of Zacchaeus.) Pray for the grace to respond generously to God’s call.
Prayers
Prayer for Our Country
The United States is faced with many challenges. We have economic issues, home foreclosures, job losses, and healthcare concerns, a war winding down in Iraq, and one continuing in Afghanistan, just to name a few of our challenges. We are also faced with upcoming mid‐term elections and choices to be made regarding those who lead and represent us. Perhaps, this is the right time to say a prayer for our country.
Prayer for Our Country
Almighty God, bless our nation and make it true to the ideas of freedom and justice and brotherhood for all who make it great.
Guard us from war, from fire and wind, from compromise, fear, and confusion.
Be close to our president and our state representatives; give them vision and courage, as they ponder decisions affecting peace and the future of the world.
Make me more deeply aware of my heritage; realizing not only my rights but also my duties and responsibilities as a citizen.
Make this great land and all its people know clearly Your will, that they may fulfill the destiny ordained for us in the salvation of the nations, and the restoring of all things in Christ.
Amen.