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Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace: Becoming More like Jesus Through the Prayer of St. Francis
Reflect and inspire the peace of Christ in a world torn by conflict, division, and broken relationships.
In today’s chaotic and polarized culture, many people quietly ask, “What difference can I make?” Instead of reacting with frustration or retreating in silence, what if you could reflect the peace of Christ in ways that ease tensions, inspire others, and encourage healthy conversations? In Make Me an Instrument of Peace, thought-leading pastor and author Mark DeYmaz challenges you to rediscover the radical power―and the deep blessings―of authentic peacemaking. Each chapter unpacks a single line of the famous prayer, commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, for meaningful reflection and life application.
This spiritually rich and timely discipleship resource will help you foundational passages in the Bible, including Isaiah 61 and Luke 4, upon which the Peace Prayer is likely basedaddress key questions after each chapter―ideal for personal study or small group discussionbuild a biblical framework and practical roadmap for becoming a peacemaker in the face of injustice and divisiontake actionable steps to reject passivity, embrace spiritual formation, and lead others from pain to promise by embodying the humility and hope of ChristNow more than ever, the world needs believers who don’t just pray for peace and reconciliation―but live for it. Make Me an Instrument of Peace will equip you to step into the tension of our times with clarity, courage, and compassion. It’s a timely and transformative response for Christians longing to advocate for humanity in a hostile world.
In today’s chaotic and polarized culture, many people quietly ask, “What difference can I make?” Instead of reacting with frustration or retreating in silence, what if you could reflect the peace of Christ in ways that ease tensions, inspire others, and encourage healthy conversations? In Make Me an Instrument of Peace, thought-leading pastor and author Mark DeYmaz challenges you to rediscover the radical power―and the deep blessings―of authentic peacemaking. Each chapter unpacks a single line of the famous prayer, commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, for meaningful reflection and life application.
This spiritually rich and timely discipleship resource will help you foundational passages in the Bible, including Isaiah 61 and Luke 4, upon which the Peace Prayer is likely basedaddress key questions after each chapter―ideal for personal study or small group discussionbuild a biblical framework and practical roadmap for becoming a peacemaker in the face of injustice and divisiontake actionable steps to reject passivity, embrace spiritual formation, and lead others from pain to promise by embodying the humility and hope of ChristNow more than ever, the world needs believers who don’t just pray for peace and reconciliation―but live for it. Make Me an Instrument of Peace will equip you to step into the tension of our times with clarity, courage, and compassion. It’s a timely and transformative response for Christians longing to advocate for humanity in a hostile world.
- GenresChristian
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
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May 24, 2026
How can our witness of God’s compassion be more compelling? In what ways can we exude attitudes that reflect Jesus more? How can we help those in pain experience God’s healing and peace?
In Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace pastor Mark Deymaz takes us through the Prayer of Saint Francis, pointing us to Christ and showing His love practically. He describes how we can show compassion and hope as peacemakers carrying the message of Christ in the midst of a broken and needy world.
Deymaz writes from his experience in a church that also houses helpful resources for those in need, such as Christ-centered medical care. This reminded me of how the church throughout history has often been at the spearhead of hospitals and other mercy missions—history now often forgotten.
He writes about the need to first “engage spiritually open skeptics or wounded cynics ‘at the bridge of Christ's humanity’—meeting them where they are with kindness and good works—before attempting to speak of his divine nature.” In doing so, “we offer a credible witness to the gospel,” and “help shift negative perceptions, dismantle skepticism, and patiently lead others toward ‘the bridge of Christ's divinity’ where they can encounter Jesus, explore biblical truth, and … choose to follow him.”
As I read, I was reminded to reflect on how we can practically love those whose beliefs and opinions differ from ours. We can let God’s compassion stir in us, pressing past anxiety to walk it out. The examples of how the church can be a force for good were inspiring.
I recommend this book to believers wanting to reach those in their communities as Christ’s body—with ears to listen, hands to serve, and hearts to share our eternal hope in Him.
Highlights:
“…there are many ways to confront hypocrisy, injustice, and prejudice in the name of Christ. But if the way we speak serves only to close the ears or harden the hearts of those most in need of hearing our message, it may result in unintended consequences and diminished impact.”
“While we may not be able to broker peace between nations, we can bring peace to those within our reach who are similarly troubled by internal pain, fear of the future, or relational conflict.”
“While we may feel justified in moments of outburst, we know deep down that this is not the way of Jesus.”
“In the face of uncertainty, fear often drives human reaction, while faith compels a godly response.”
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace pastor Mark Deymaz takes us through the Prayer of Saint Francis, pointing us to Christ and showing His love practically. He describes how we can show compassion and hope as peacemakers carrying the message of Christ in the midst of a broken and needy world.
Deymaz writes from his experience in a church that also houses helpful resources for those in need, such as Christ-centered medical care. This reminded me of how the church throughout history has often been at the spearhead of hospitals and other mercy missions—history now often forgotten.
He writes about the need to first “engage spiritually open skeptics or wounded cynics ‘at the bridge of Christ's humanity’—meeting them where they are with kindness and good works—before attempting to speak of his divine nature.” In doing so, “we offer a credible witness to the gospel,” and “help shift negative perceptions, dismantle skepticism, and patiently lead others toward ‘the bridge of Christ's divinity’ where they can encounter Jesus, explore biblical truth, and … choose to follow him.”
As I read, I was reminded to reflect on how we can practically love those whose beliefs and opinions differ from ours. We can let God’s compassion stir in us, pressing past anxiety to walk it out. The examples of how the church can be a force for good were inspiring.
I recommend this book to believers wanting to reach those in their communities as Christ’s body—with ears to listen, hands to serve, and hearts to share our eternal hope in Him.
Highlights:
“…there are many ways to confront hypocrisy, injustice, and prejudice in the name of Christ. But if the way we speak serves only to close the ears or harden the hearts of those most in need of hearing our message, it may result in unintended consequences and diminished impact.”
“While we may not be able to broker peace between nations, we can bring peace to those within our reach who are similarly troubled by internal pain, fear of the future, or relational conflict.”
“While we may feel justified in moments of outburst, we know deep down that this is not the way of Jesus.”
“In the face of uncertainty, fear often drives human reaction, while faith compels a godly response.”
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
July 6, 2026
Summary: A reflection on the Prayer of St Francis and how we might be transformed into instruments of peace.
Often in our efforts to communicate the good news of Christ, we focus more on the content of the message than the character of the messenger. Both matter, but in our time of conflict and scandals even in the churches, character matters more than ever. In this book, Mark DeYmaz walks through the Prayer of St. Francis, also known as the Peace Prayer for its opening line: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” DeYmaz believes that as we pray into and live into this prayer, we may represent Jesus increasingly well in our chaotic world.
He begins by offering a bit of history of the prayer, whose true author is unknown, although it is attributed to St. Francis. It first appeared in La Clochette, a small magazine, in 1912. He offers a threefold structure for understanding the prayer:
Section 1: What. The petitioner understands that instruments of peace provide antidotes to help alleviate internal and external human conflict.
Section 2: How. The petitioner recognizes that instruments of peace surrender self-centered interests and desires to serve the greater good.
Section 3: Why. The petitioner believes that the instruments of peace find fulfillment paradoxically through selflessness and sacrifice. (p. 15)
DeYmaz then walks through the prayer section by section, phrase by phrase, exploring how Christ works transformation in and through us.
First of all, DeYmaz links the opening petition of the Peace Prayer to Isaiah 61 as echoed in Luke 4. Specifically, Jesus speaks of the anointing of the Spirit upon him to preach good news as the one who comes as a Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). As we pray this petition and identify with the Anointed One, we share in his anointing.
Then, in the second part, we surrender self-interest for transcending goods. We break cycles of hate, including conspiracies and “enemy groups,” through unconditional love. Then we recognize where we’ve been hurt and wronged and “put pardon.” Doubt and fear pervade our landscape. Hence, faith that leans in and perseveres in walking toward what God promises offers hope to others. But many lack hope and despair. Lacking the vision of a destination, people despair and become cynical. But if we “wait in hope” with and for others, we encourage them that hope in Christ is possible. As we abide in Christ, we become lights by which others see in the darkness. Lastly, when we choose joy amid sadness, we spread that joy to others.
Finally, we pray into a life that finds fulfillment through selflessness and sacrifice. Having experienced the Spirit’s consolation, we walk along others in pain, remembering our consolation. We recognize that understanding between people comes not by trying to make others understand us. Instead, it comes through genuinely listening, asking good questions and assuming the best of others. Since Christ loves us unconditionally, we extend grace and unconditional love to others. We trust that God will overmatch our own generosity. Like Pope John Paul, who forgave his assassin, we pardon as those who could not have a relationship with God without his pardon. Lastly, we pray to live into the truth that only by dying to self can we save our lives.
Each chapter concludes with a few questions for reflection. Throughout the text, DeYmaz offers illustrations of the truth in each petition. And he shows how each of the petitions are grounded in scripture. The Prayer of St. Francis is one many have committed to memory to pray daily. C.S. Lewis, in writing on prayer suggested that we see prayers like the “Our Father” as structure on which we “festoon” our prayers. Mark DeYmaz offers substance by which we might do the same with The Peace Prayer. By so doing, identified with the Prince of Peace, we engage in a practice that day by day, forms Christ’s character in us. And that is good news not only for us but for our world.
_____________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
Often in our efforts to communicate the good news of Christ, we focus more on the content of the message than the character of the messenger. Both matter, but in our time of conflict and scandals even in the churches, character matters more than ever. In this book, Mark DeYmaz walks through the Prayer of St. Francis, also known as the Peace Prayer for its opening line: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” DeYmaz believes that as we pray into and live into this prayer, we may represent Jesus increasingly well in our chaotic world.
He begins by offering a bit of history of the prayer, whose true author is unknown, although it is attributed to St. Francis. It first appeared in La Clochette, a small magazine, in 1912. He offers a threefold structure for understanding the prayer:
Section 1: What. The petitioner understands that instruments of peace provide antidotes to help alleviate internal and external human conflict.
Section 2: How. The petitioner recognizes that instruments of peace surrender self-centered interests and desires to serve the greater good.
Section 3: Why. The petitioner believes that the instruments of peace find fulfillment paradoxically through selflessness and sacrifice. (p. 15)
DeYmaz then walks through the prayer section by section, phrase by phrase, exploring how Christ works transformation in and through us.
First of all, DeYmaz links the opening petition of the Peace Prayer to Isaiah 61 as echoed in Luke 4. Specifically, Jesus speaks of the anointing of the Spirit upon him to preach good news as the one who comes as a Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). As we pray this petition and identify with the Anointed One, we share in his anointing.
Then, in the second part, we surrender self-interest for transcending goods. We break cycles of hate, including conspiracies and “enemy groups,” through unconditional love. Then we recognize where we’ve been hurt and wronged and “put pardon.” Doubt and fear pervade our landscape. Hence, faith that leans in and perseveres in walking toward what God promises offers hope to others. But many lack hope and despair. Lacking the vision of a destination, people despair and become cynical. But if we “wait in hope” with and for others, we encourage them that hope in Christ is possible. As we abide in Christ, we become lights by which others see in the darkness. Lastly, when we choose joy amid sadness, we spread that joy to others.
Finally, we pray into a life that finds fulfillment through selflessness and sacrifice. Having experienced the Spirit’s consolation, we walk along others in pain, remembering our consolation. We recognize that understanding between people comes not by trying to make others understand us. Instead, it comes through genuinely listening, asking good questions and assuming the best of others. Since Christ loves us unconditionally, we extend grace and unconditional love to others. We trust that God will overmatch our own generosity. Like Pope John Paul, who forgave his assassin, we pardon as those who could not have a relationship with God without his pardon. Lastly, we pray to live into the truth that only by dying to self can we save our lives.
Each chapter concludes with a few questions for reflection. Throughout the text, DeYmaz offers illustrations of the truth in each petition. And he shows how each of the petitions are grounded in scripture. The Prayer of St. Francis is one many have committed to memory to pray daily. C.S. Lewis, in writing on prayer suggested that we see prayers like the “Our Father” as structure on which we “festoon” our prayers. Mark DeYmaz offers substance by which we might do the same with The Peace Prayer. By so doing, identified with the Prince of Peace, we engage in a practice that day by day, forms Christ’s character in us. And that is good news not only for us but for our world.
_____________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
March 3, 2026
A thoughtful and reflective journey through "The Peace Prayer of St. Francis." This prayer is widely known and loved by many Christian faith traditions, and has inspired millions over the years in many cultures, countries, and languages. Mark DeYmaz brings "The Peace Prayer" forward stanza by stanza, with each line becoming a chapter in his book. Mark sensitively and thoughtfully applies the spirit and message of each stanza through stories and examples that help the reader apply the principle to their lives. Questions at the end of each chapter prompt deeper reflection, and could be used in small groups/book discussions. I used "Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace: Becoming More Like Jesus" this year as part of my Lenten reflections. A timely book and message to say the least!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had high hopes for this as a lifelong fan of the poetry known as the Prayer of St. Francis to me. It was fine, but I found that the discussions were not as deep as I had hoped, and that the whole project seemed tilted towards marketing of Christianity/churches to others. Which was a bit of a distraction to me. However, it seems that the author has had a church doing immense good and he seems genuinely interested in the power of God's love to help people. It is a nice read but if you are expecting deep reflection it may not quite meet your needs.
June 5, 2026
Hooeful
An excellent book for all to meditate on and read. Thank you for sharing this important prayer with us. It has helped my faith journey be more responsive to those around me.
An excellent book for all to meditate on and read. Thank you for sharing this important prayer with us. It has helped my faith journey be more responsive to those around me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews