The St. Francis Prayer remains one of the most beloved spiritual treasures of Christianity, offering timeless wisdom for daily living. This collection of prayers inspired by St. Francis of Assisi captures his profound devotion to peace, simplicity, and service.
Powerful St Francis Prayer
Whether you seek inner calm, deeper faith, or guidance in serving others, these prayers rooted in Franciscan spirituality will help align your heart with God’s will. Discover how the St. Francis Prayer tradition can transform your prayer life and draw you closer to Christ through its beautiful balance of contemplation and action.
1. St Francis Prayer for Peace
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. Help me to bring light into darkness and hope into despair, just as St. Francis taught. May Your perfect peace reign in my heart and overflow to those around me.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Father, use me today to spread Your peace in a troubled world. Let me be a calming presence wherever I go. Amen.
2. St Francis Prayer for Love
Heavenly Father, fill my heart with the selfless love that St. Francis demonstrated. Teach me to love without expecting anything in return, to give generously, and to see Christ in everyone I meet. Remove all selfishness from my heart and replace it with Your divine love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Lord, may Your love flow through me today in every word and action. Let me love others as You have loved me. Amen.
3. St Francis Prayer for Humility
Lord Jesus, give me the humility of St. Francis who called himself the least of Your servants. Help me to serve others without seeking recognition, to put others before myself, and to find joy in simple things. Keep me from pride and selfish ambition.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Teach me true humility today, that I may walk as Your faithful servant. Amen.
4. St Francis Prayer for Creation
Creator God, help me to appreciate and care for Your beautiful creation as St. Francis did. Give me eyes to see the wonder in all You have made, and a heart to protect the earth You’ve entrusted to us. May I never take Your gifts for granted.
Genesis 1:31
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Lord, help me to be a good steward of Your creation today and always. Amen.
5. St Francis Prayer for Simplicity
Father, teach me the value of simple living as St. Francis exemplified. Free me from attachment to material things and help me find contentment in You alone. Show me what truly matters in life and give me courage to let go of unnecessary burdens.
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Lord, simplify my life today that I may focus on what’s eternal. Amen.
6. St Francis Prayer for Service
Lord, make me a willing servant like St. Francis who served the poor and outcast. Open my eyes to see those in need around me and give me compassion to help them. Let me serve with joy, remembering that in serving others I serve You.
Matthew 25:40
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Guide me to opportunities to serve You through others today. Amen.
7. St Francis Prayer for Joy
God of all joy, fill my heart with the radiant joy that St. Francis carried even in difficulties. Help me to find happiness not in circumstances but in Your presence. Let Your joy shine through me to brighten others’ lives.
Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Lord, be my source of true joy today and always. Amen.
8. St Francis Prayer for Forgiveness
Merciful Father, give me the spirit of forgiveness that St. Francis showed even to those who wronged him. Help me to let go of bitterness and to extend Your mercy to others. Heal my wounded heart and make me an instrument of reconciliation.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Teach me to forgive freely today as You have forgiven me. Amen.
9. St Francis Prayer for Faith
Lord, strengthen my faith to be as unwavering as St. Francis’s. When doubts arise, remind me of Your faithfulness. Help me to trust You completely, even when I don’t understand Your ways. May my life be a testimony of living faith.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Increase my faith today, Lord, that I may walk confidently with You. Amen.
10. St Francis Prayer for Poverty of Spirit
Jesus, give me the poverty of spirit that St. Francis embraced. Help me to recognize my constant need for You and to depend completely on Your provision. Free me from the illusion of self-sufficiency and draw me closer to Your heart.
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Keep me humble and dependent on You today, Lord. Amen.
11. St Francis Prayer for Healing
Divine Healer, I pray for Your healing touch as St. Francis brought healing to many. Restore health to bodies, minds, and spirits that are broken. Use me as Your instrument to bring comfort and wholeness to those who suffer.
Jeremiah 17:14
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Bring Your healing power today to all in need. Amen.
12. St Francis Prayer for Preaching
Lord, give me courage to share Your Gospel as St. Francis did – with simplicity and conviction. Help me to proclaim Your truth not just with words but through how I live. Open doors for me to share Your love with those who don’t know You.
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Use me to spread Your good news today. Amen.
13. St Francis Prayer for the Poor
Compassionate God, give me Your heart for the poor as St. Francis had. Help me to see Christ in those who are struggling and to respond with generous love. Guide me in how to best help those in need around me.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Show me how to serve the poor today as if serving You. Amen.
14. St Francis Prayer for Obedience
Heavenly Father, give me the obedience of St. Francis who followed Your will completely. Help me to submit my plans to Yours and to joyfully accept Your direction. When Your way seems difficult, give me strength to obey.
1 Samuel 15:22
“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Teach me joyful obedience today, Lord. Amen.
15. St Francis Prayer for Patience
Lord, cultivate in me the patient endurance that St. Francis showed in trials. When I face difficulties or delays, help me to trust Your timing. Teach me to wait on You without complaining or losing hope.
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Grant me patience today in all circumstances. Amen.
16. St Francis Prayer for Gratitude
Gracious God, give me the thankful heart of St. Francis who praised You in all things. Open my eyes to see Your blessings, both big and small. Help me to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in every circumstance.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Fill my heart with gratitude today, Lord. Amen.
17. St Francis Prayer for Purity
Holy God, purify my heart as You did St. Francis’s. Cleanse me from all sin and help me to pursue righteousness in thought, word and deed. Guard me from temptation and fill me with Your holy presence.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Make me pure in heart today as I seek You. Amen.
18. St Francis Prayer for Courage
Lord, grant me the courage St. Francis showed in facing challenges for Your sake. When I feel afraid, remind me that You are with me. Give me boldness to stand for truth and to follow You no matter the cost.
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Strengthen me with Your courage today. Amen.
19. St Francis Prayer for Unity
Father, give me the spirit of unity that St. Francis promoted in the Church. Help me to work for harmony among believers, to overlook minor differences, and to focus on what unites us in Christ.
Ephesians 4:3
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Use me to promote unity among Your people today. Amen.
20. St Francis Prayer for the Sick
Healing Lord, give me compassion for the sick as St. Francis had. Comfort those who suffer in body or mind, and use me to bring them Your love and hope. Strengthen caregivers and guide medical professionals in their work.
James 5:14-15
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them…” Lord, bring Your healing touch to the sick today through my prayers. Amen.
21. St Francis Prayer for Nature
Creator God, help me to appreciate Your creation as St. Francis did when he praised You through Brother Sun and Sister Moon. Give me wonder at the beauty of nature and responsibility to care for the earth You’ve made.
Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Open my eyes to see Your glory in creation today. Amen.
22. St Francis Prayer for Detachment
Lord, teach me the holy detachment St. Francis practiced, holding loosely to worldly things. Help me to find my security in You alone, not in possessions or status. Free me from anything that keeps me from wholehearted devotion to You.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” Help me detach from worldly things to attach more fully to You today. Amen.
23. St Francis Prayer for Evangelism
Lord, give me zeal for sharing the Gospel like St. Francis who reached out to unbelievers. Open doors for me to share my faith naturally and give me the right words to say. Help me to live in a way that draws others to You.
1 Peter 3:15
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Use me to share Your love with others today. Amen.
24. St Francis Prayer for the Church
Heavenly Father, I pray for Your Church as St. Francis worked to renew it. Unite believers in love and truth, purify us from sin, and empower us to be Your light in the world. Bless our pastors and leaders with wisdom.
Ephesians 5:25-27
“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy…” Renew Your Church today, Lord, beginning with me. Amen.
25. St Francis Prayer for Death
Lord, give me the peaceful acceptance of death that St. Francis showed, calling it “Sister Death.” Help me to live each day prepared to meet You, trusting in Your promise of eternal life. Comfort those who grieve with Your sure hope.
John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life…'” Give me faith to face death with confidence in Your victory. Amen.
Conclusion
As we’ve journeyed through these various St. Francis Prayers, may their spirit of humility, joy, and devotion continue to inspire your daily walk with God. Let St. Francis’s example challenge you to live more simply, love more deeply, and serve more willingly.
Whether you return to one particular prayer or use this entire collection, may the St. Francis Prayer tradition become a wellspring of spiritual renewal in your life. As Francis himself would say: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” May these prayers help you do exactly that.