Prayers of St. Francis
With this prayer, Francis closes his letter “To all the brothers of the Order”
Almighty,
eternal,
Just and merciful God,
Grant us in our misery to do
For your sake alone
What we know you want us to do,
And always to want what pleases you;
So that, cleansed and enlightened within
And inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
We may be able to follow in the footsteps
Of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
And so make our way to you, Most High,
By your grace alone—
You who live and reign
In perfect Trinity
And simple Unity,
And are glorified,
God almighty,
Forever and ever.
AMEN
In Response to God’s Love
May the burning and tender might
Of your love,
I beseech you, O Lord,
Ravish my soul
From all earthly things:
So that I may die
For love of my love.
AMEN
Recorded by the Franciscan Friar Ubertino da Casale (1273-1317) in his work Arbor Vitae Crucifixae Jesu V/4. Although not composed by Francis himself, it was a prayer he loved to use.