This week, I begin a new Self-Care Saturday series inspired by one of my favorite prayers – the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
Over the next twelve weeks, I’ll be reflecting on each line of the prayer and what it teaches me about living an intentional life.
We begin with these simple, yet powerful words:
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.”
At first, I thought being an instrument of peace meant avoiding conflict or creating calm circumstances. But this week reminded me that peace isn’t the absence of pressure. It’s the way we choose to show up in the middle of it.
This was one of those weeks that naturally came with a heightened pace. There were deadlines to meet, decisions to make, conversations to have, and people carrying more than usual.
In moments like these, anxiety can spread quickly.
But so can peace.
I found myself intentionally checking in with those around me – not because I could solve every problem, but because sometimes people simply need someone who is calm enough to remind them to take the next step.
One conversation in particular stayed with me.
Someone shared a difficult decision they had made and admitted they were anxious about how it would be received.
As I listened, I realized they didn’t need guilt.
They didn’t need judgment.
They didn’t even need me to fix anything.
They needed reassurance.
They needed encouragement.
They needed permission to move forward with peace.
And as our conversation came to an end, I noticed something… They walked away lighter than when they arrived.
Not because their circumstances had changed, but because their burden had.
It made me wonder how often we underestimate the impact of our presence.
We may not always have the right answers.
We may not be able to change someone’s situation.
But we can choose to become people whose words calm rather than inflame… whose presence reassures rather than unsettles… whose responses create space for hope instead of fear.
In John 14:27, Jesus says:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
His peace was never dependent on perfect circumstances… And neither is ours.
Peace is something we receive from Him…and then carry into every room we enter.
When people leave a conversation with you, do they carry more anxiety…or more peace?
This week, who in your life needs less advice…and more of your calm presence?
How might God be inviting you to become an instrument of His peace?
Today, my prayer is simple:
Lord, before You send me to bring peace to others, fill my own heart with Your peace first.
Because we cannot give away what we do not possess.
May our words bring comfort.
May our presence bring hope.
May our lives point others to the Prince of Peace.
Until next Saturday!
Love, Talisha 
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This week, I begin a new Self-Care Saturday series inspired by one of my favorite prayers – the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Over the next twelve weeks, I’ll be reflecting on each line of the prayer and what it teaches me about living an intentional life. We begin with these simple, yet powerful […]
4 Responses
Be anxious for nothing, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
–Philippians 4:6–7
God communicates His direction for our lives through prayer, and He also communicates His peace to us through prayer. We see an example of this in the life of the apostle Paul. If anybody had reason not to be at peace, it was Paul when he wrote his letter to the Philippian Christians. At that time, the church in Philippi was being attacked by false teachers from without and torn apart by division from within. Not only that, but Paul was under house arrest in Rome. He was awaiting the verdict in his two-year trial–was he going to live or die? He didn’t know from one moment to the next what his future would hold.
He is a testimony of carrying PEACE intentionally.
Amen!
Another great post Talisha
I sincerely believe, and try to live it, that our lives should reflect and point others to the Prince of Peace.
May God continue to bless the work of your hands.
Thanks Carol!