Instruments of Peace – Sow Love
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Anonymous (Francis of Assisi)
There is a prayer that may be familiar to you. It’s the prayer that’s been given the title, “The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.” While we cannot be sure of the author, it has been attributed to Francis of Assisi. This is a beautiful prayer of surrender to God, asking Him to use us as His instrument amid the discord we encounter in our lives. This prayer can be rattled off thoughtlessly without really pausing to ponder the richness of the words. But when we pray it intentionally and put it into practice, the words will have a profound impact on our lives and on the lives of others. The prayer starts with a petition to make us instruments of His peace so that we can bring reconciliation. A petition that God will answer because reconciliation is God’s plan for mankind.
Instruments in His Hands
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.”
Many of us would rather avoid conflict at all costs. We choose to live with the enmity and the strife in strained relationships because we often don’t know how to make peace. But Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
When we choose to be peacemakers, we are blessed. We are called His children. As His children, He wants to use us to bring peace in the conflict situations where animosity and perhaps even hatred have the upper hand.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Being Christ’s peacemakers starts with sowing love. Love reconciles. God’s love for us reconciled us to Him opening the way for us to have a relationship with Jesus (John 3:16). It is in this love relationship that He commands us to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). To honour one another in love (Romans 12:10). To not bear grudges against anyone, but to love our neighbour as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18).
These commandments are not easy to follow. There may be issues that we are dealing with because of the contentious situation we find ourselves in - fear, anger, pride, unforgiveness. These issues will make it difficult for us to sow God’s agape love. But when there is a real desire to resolve the conflict, God will remove them from us. He will give us His grace that will be sufficient in our weakness and drive out our fear, anger and pride. He will lead us by Holy Spirit so that we can receive His divine wisdom (James 3:17). So that we can sow His agape love Holy Spirit has poured into our hearts, and bring lasting peace that glorifies God.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (ESV)
Reflection:
Do you find yourself in relationships where there is animosity and discord? Why not trust Jesus, our Prince of Peace, to use you to be a peacemaker in these relationships?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, You see my strained relationships. Show me how I can sow Your agape love and be Your peacemaker. I pray for Your wisdom. Lead me by Your Holy Spirit so that You will be glorified. In Jesus’ name, amen.
