One of my favourite prayers is the Peace Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

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.

What causes us anxiety? Obviously, it is the lack of peace and faith in God. The presence of Jesus always comes with peace. We know the story how Jesus calmed the storm. Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40 NRSV).

Peace comes only through Jesus and peace comes through our faith in Him alone. Even, in the midst of the storm, we can have our peace. Even, in the midst of the pandemic, we can have our peace. Irrespective of our circumstances, we can have our peace, as our mind is focused on our Saviour. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3 ESV).

Faith, trust, and peace go together. When we do not have peace, it is because we lack faith and trust in God. If Jesus Christ is within us, there is always peace within us. This peace, within us, can overflow, reaching out to those who have none, thereby making us instruments of peace.

In most of the apparitions of our Blessed Mother Mary, our Mother, has asked us to pray for peace. We must persevere to pray for peace for all mankind. As we walk in the ways of the Lord, our steps shall be steadfast and filled with peace. Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble (Psalm 119:165 NRSV).

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