Pastor's Circle - Albert Haase

Father Albert Haase, a Franciscan priest, came into the Pastor's Circle to talk about the Prayer of St. Francis. Below are the "CliffsNotes" of his interview. You can learn more about  Father Haase and his ministry here.

Where did the Prayer of St. Francis come from, and what does it mean?

It is known as the "peace prayer" of St. Francis of Assisi.  It's a very famous prayer that has been used in many significant settings - funerals of important religious and political leaders, inaugurations, etc.  However, it was not even written by St. Francis himself. It had been around for quite awhile before he lived.  It was actually popularized as a product of St. Francis' pen by a protestant minister.

There are two parts to the prayer, but the key thing stands out immediately to me is the idea that we belong to someone else.  Our life belongs Jesus Christ.  

Secondly, there is a clear presentation of a biblical understanding of peace or shalom.  As people who live in the reality of Easter Sunday we need to realize and live out that shalom today.

We here at the Matt Friedeman Show think of ourselves as people that are "in the fight". In this prayer I get the idea that if we are on a mission we must be proactive.

I think you're right.  We must take love, joy, peace to the places that need it the most.  Proactive is a great way to put it.

So there is a necessary awakening...

Yes, the "Peace Prayer" also challenges our ego.  Perhaps the ego is the biggest enemy of the Christian life.  In this prayer we are going to bump up against the real issues of the heart.  Experience tells us that those people who live lives of service are the happiest people in the world.  

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.