a song for today

This song was written on the evening of 9/11/01 by one of my favorite bands (from Pittsburgh, my hometown!). The song continues to be a favorite of mine ~ it is haunting and hopeful.

Ten years later, the memories are still vivid, but it is still hard to find the right words. So a song, instead. And a prayer ~ we sang this one in church this morning and it really spoke to me:

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.

~Prayer of St. Francis