Peace Prayer of St Francis

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.

Amen.

Where there is darkness, there will also be light. Hurt, pain, loss, hatred, anger, despair and doubt are heavy burdens to bear. Such burdens can be shared and, as our stories in ChildAid Matters show, they can and are being lightened. But the loss of loved ones will take time, care and prayer before light can be seen again.

Sponsoring a child encourages and enables, and is a light shining brightly. Could you be that shining light?

In Bromley where we are based, there was a Christmas tree set up in the High Street…in August. It turned many heads! Fortunately, it was only there for a promotional filming. Yet, here we are promoting our new designs and ideas for Christmas Cards and Christmas Alternative Gifts in September. Hopefully, not too many heads will be turned other than in the surprise that our cards are still £3 for a pack of ten (as they were in 2003) and that we can still offer discounted stamps. Please feel free to share these catalogues and our newsletter, we will happily send additional copies to you.

I really hope that there is light in your world, and that peace and love is both an offering you make and that you receive.