A Prayer from Howard Thurman

Sometimes when watching the news I wonder how I can be an instrument of God’s peace in the midst of this fractured world. I find this prayer from Howard Thurman, one of my spiritual mentors, to be helpful.

“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.” Teach me how to order my days that with sure touch I may say the right word at the right time and in the right way — lest I betray the spirit of peace. Let me not be deceived by my own insecurity and weakness which would make me hurt another as I try desperately to help myself. Keep watch with me, O my Father, over the days of my life, that with abiding enthusiasm I may be in such possession of myself that each day I may offer to Thee the full, unhampered use of me in all my parts as “an instrument of Thy Peace.” Amen.

The Inward Journey: Meditations on the Spiritual Quest by Howard Thurman (Harper Row, 1961), p.104