Although at this site we don’t generally act too terribly kindly toward religion (in general or specific), many religions have valid points that make them valuable to the world at large and to their adherents. Unfortunately, these bits often get overshadowed by the witch-burning, war-inciting, and general hatefulness of the religion(s). So today, we’re going to look at a particular prayer within the Christian tradition. With few minor changes it can be made completely religion-neutral.

For the original text as well as discussion of whether or not it can actually be attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, go here. Sarah McLachlan does an absolutely beautiful version that I can’t find on iTunes, sorry. But it’s worth it if you can find it elsewhere (on the CD Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale Music from the TV Show)

My recommendation this week is to try to live by this: bring peace, love, joy, &c. to the people in your life who suffer. Including yourself. Buddhists believe that suffering is a part of life, and inescapable. I don’t agree, but I can agree that it exists in too many places. If we all bring a little more anti-suffering to the people around us (at work, home, and the grocery store), maybe we can prove the Buddhists wrong, neh?

the Prayer of St. Francis
Modified for Atheists

May I be an instrument of peace;
where there is hatred, may I bring love;
where there is injury, may I bring pardon;
where there is doubt, may I bring conviction;
where there is despair, may I bring hope;
where there is darkness, may I bring light;
and where there is sadness, may I bring joy.
May I never seek to be consoled, but to console;
to be understood, but to understand;
to be loved, but 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 awaken.