In respect, Rev. Warren, here is one of the most perfect prayers I know… I hope you will use it for the inauguration of our new President, Obama. Really the inauguration prayer needs no other words than these…
for this prayer I believe is in some way already written, in millions of languages, into the souls of human beings who made it to earth.
It is a prayer attributed to gentle St. Francis of Assisi, the man whom they say spoke for the true and un-politicized human heart… a saint who had a precious love and regard for all variations of life to be found in nature.
A man who led others, despite all their own and his own foibles, a man who understood Brother parity and Sister conciliation, and a man who understood that some ideas must die in order for new life to be born in all its inherent brilliance.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make us instruments
of your peace.
Where there is hatred
let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.Grant that we 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.Aymen