As one of the most influential prayers in Christian literature, the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis calls us all to be peacemakers and make the world a better place to live in. By examining the prayer, one can gain a better understanding of who Francis was, in both character and personality. While the original author of the prayer is unknown, it has nonetheless had a riveting effect on people around the world to answer the Franciscan call.
             The Peace Prayer first appeared in France in the year 1912 in a spiritual magazine entitled La Clochette or "The Little Bell". The magazine was published in Paris by The Holy Mass League, a Catholic association founded in 1901. The prayer was originally entitled Belle priere a faire pendant la messe or "A Beautiful Prayer to Say During Mass". It was published anonymously and the author's identity remains a mystery to this very day. The prayer soon began to circulate around Europe and was eventually printed on the back of an image of Francis with the title "Prayer for Peace". However, the prayer was not attributed to Saint Francis until 1927 by a group of French Protestants. The first translation into English appeared in 1936 in a book by Kirby Page entitled Living Courageously, where the prayer was clearly attributed to Francis. During World War II, the Peace Prayer began circulating as the Prayer of Saint Francis, giving hope toward a brighter future, free of fighting and war. It was often printed on a small card that had a picture of Francis on the other side. Over the years, the prayer has gained worldwide popularity with people of assorted backgrounds and faiths.
             Many lives of both Christians and non-Christians have been deeply influenced by the Peace Prayer since its circulation in the early 20th century. The prayer is a beacon of hope for many worshipers, in that it asks us to realize humility and take a major step toward world peace. By rec...