The Prayers of Francis

Prayer before the Crucifix

Most high, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me correct faith, certain hope, and perfect love,
sense and knowledge, Lord,
that I may carry out your holy and true command.

Testament prayer

We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ,
in all your churches through the whole world
and we praise you because by your holy Cross
you have redeemed the world.

Canticle of Brother Sun

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour and all blessing, 
To you alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no one is worthy to mention your name.

Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day and through whom you give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of you, Most Holy One.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather,
through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be you, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be you, my Lord, through those who give pardon for your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by you, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be you, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks
and serve him with great humility.

Prayer for the Entire Order

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
Give us miserable ones the grace to do for you alone
What we know you want us to do
And to desire always what pleases you.
Inwardly cleansed and interiorly enlightened and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit
May we be able to follow in the footsteps of your beloved son,
Our Lord, Jesus Christ and, y your grace alone,
May we make our way to you, Most High, who live and reign
In perfect Trinity and Simple Unity
And are glorified God all-powerful, forever and ever.
Amen.

The Praises of God

You are holy, Lord,
You alone are the God who does wonderful things.
You are strong. You are great.
You are the all-powerful king.
You are the holy Father, the king of heaven and earth.
You are the Lord God of gods, three and one;
You are the good, all good,
the sovereign good, Lord God living and true.
You are love, charity;
You are wisdom, You are humility,
You are patience, You are beauty,
You are meekness, You are security,
You are inner peace, You are joy.
You are our hope and joy,
You are justice, You are moderation,
You are all our riches, You are enough for us.
You are beauty, You are meekness,
You are a protector, You are our guardian and defender,
You are strength, You are refuge.
You are our hope, You are our faith,
You are our charity, You are all our sweetness,
You are our eternal life:
Great and wonderful Lord,
All-powerful God, merciful Saviour.