Prayer to St Francis of Assisi for a simple, joyful heart
Asking St Francis to help us live simply, love the poor and praise God in all creation
Morning Prayer · Updated: November 2026
This prayer asks St Francis of Assisi to pray for us as we try to follow Christ with a lighter, freer heart. It is a different text from the well-known Peace Prayer and can be said on his feast, before time outdoors, or whenever life feels cluttered and heavy.
Let us pray
Loving Father, you gave the world St Francis of Assisi, who left wealth and comfort behind to follow your Son in poverty, humility and joy. Through his prayers, draw me closer to Jesus, whom he loved so tenderly in the crib, on the cross and in the Eucharist.
St Francis, you found freedom in having little. Pray for me, that I may loosen my grip on the things I hoard and the worries I carry. Help me to see what I truly need, to share what I have been given, and to trust that the Lord provides each day.
You praised God for brother sun and sister moon, for water, fire and the good earth. Teach me to notice the gifts around me: the morning light, a meal on the table, the creatures that share this world. May I care for creation as a grateful guest and not a careless owner.
You embraced the leper and saw Christ in the poor. Open my eyes to the people I would rather pass by. Give me the courage to offer a kind word, a visit, a meal or a little of my time, without waiting to be thanked.
When I am tempted to pride, remind me of your gentle littleness. When I am discouraged, share with me your joy, which did not depend on success or praise. And when my life comes to its end, may I, like you, welcome it with peace and trust in the mercy of God.
Lord Jesus, hear the prayer I make with St Francis, and lead me in the way of the Gospel. Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and through the prayers of St Francis fill your days with simplicity, gratitude and peace.
Prepared with AI assistance under our editorial guidelines. How we write and check our prayers
In Scripture
- Hebrews 12:1 – We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
- Revelation 5:8 – The prayers of the holy ones rise before God like incense.
- James 5:16 – The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
How to pray this prayer
- Find a quiet moment and breathe slowly.
- Read the prayer aloud or in your heart.
- Add your own intention before the Amen.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pray to St Francis of Assisi?
Catholics ask St Francis to pray for them, just as we ask a friend to pray. Begin by placing yourself before God, share your intention honestly, ask for his intercession, and close with an Our Father or Glory Be.
Is this the same as the Peace Prayer of St Francis?
No. The Peace Prayer (Lord, make me an instrument of your peace) is a separate text written in his spirit. This prayer asks for his intercession in living simply and joyfully.
What is St Francis of Assisi the patron of?
St Francis, founder of the Franciscan order, is the patron saint of animals, ecology and Italy. His feast day is celebrated on 4 October.
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