Make Me a Channel of Disturbance

A tealight candle. Wikimedia Commons.

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of hearing from a leader who has helped create a circle of care and advocacy for immigrants within a Catholic congregation.

She shared that they frequently pray this prayer together. It’s a reverse prayer of St. Francis.


Lord, 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 rather to do justice than to talk about it;

Disturb us, O Lord.

To be with, as well as for, the alienated;

To love the unlovable as well as the lovely;

Lord, make me a channel of disturbance.

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