Instrument of Thy peace: The Prayer of St. Francis

by Alan Paton

Book by Paton, Alan

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Faith

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1969

About the author

Alan Stewart Paton was a South African writer and anti-apartheid activist. His works include the novels Cry, the Beloved Country (1948), Too Late the Phalarope (1953), and the short story The Waste Land.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being VERY familiar with Alan Paton's novel Cry, the Beloved Country, having taught it many times, I found this devotional a fascinating read, revealing a dimension of thought and faith behind the characters, situations, and events that I had suspected, but now having the evidence...very cool. And the life that Paton lived out was true to his faith and his fiction.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid...absoultely splendid. Every Christian who wonders wether or not they are taking enough action in thier faith will completely enjoy this book.

[Timmy Cham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief delightful book (with photographs) summarizing the spirit of the noted St. Francis Prayer. I'd definitely read it again; it's one of those spiritual books you want to re-read periodically.

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read.

[Bob Minnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless read.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the loving challenge found in this short, inspirational volume of 21 meditations on the well-known Peace Prayer (or Prayer of St. Francis). Paton underlines the challenge and importance of becoming an instrument of peace, the essence of the prayer that through our own actions, we will act as an instrument of love, pardon, faith, hope, joy, and light; that we will seek to console, understand, and love others. The message is simple. Abiding by it isn’t easy. Payton’s thoughts on his own understandings and experiences, written during the days of legally mandated, violently enforced apartheid in South Africa, help to make the challenge less daunting. This is a book worth revisiting regularly - even (or perhaps especially) for a fallen away agnostic like me.

[Libby Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange, meandering book. It wanders from topic to topic as the author ponders the meaning of St. Francis’ prayers to be made an instrument of God’s peace. Some of Paton’s thoughts seem less relevant to me with the passage of time, while others are instructive and timely. Specifically, the passages about churches and Christians who operate under a siege mentality are sadly still relevant.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Book (I will re read book twice each year.)

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paton Pate #1
Series of short meditative vignettes are interesting and inspiring and it is a book worth reading either all in one go or as a part of a devotion.