"There is a prayer that circulates often by an unknown author, and it goes by a few titles such as “The Reverse Prayer of Saint Francis,” “The Reverse Peace Prayer,” and “The Disturbance Prayer.” I pray it regularly as a white spiritual caregiver with humanist values who is committed to justice, agency, and compassion. I hope others may also resonate with it and its call for disturbance.
As a note, I have changed the title of "Lord" found in the prayer to "Mother," and "Creator."
It goes:
Creator, make me a channel of disturbance.
Where there is apathy, let me provoke;
Where there is compliance, let me bring questioning;
Where there is silence, may I be a voice.
Where there is too much comfort and too little action, grant disruption;
Where there are doors closed and hearts locked,
Grant the willingness to listen.
When laws dictate and pain is overlooked…
When tradition speaks louder than need…
Grant that I may seek to do justice rather than to talk about it;
Disturb us, O Mother.
To be with, as well as for, the alienated;
To love the unlovable as well as the lovely;
Creator, make me a channel of disturbance."
Please be reminded, if you are interested in contributing to this Lenten series, we invite you to upload a short reflection using the link below.
