"Be at Peace" Prayer of St. Francis de Sales
Be at peace.
Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
rather, look to them with full hope as they arise.
God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto,
and He will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it,
God will bury you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering,
or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace,
and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.
The gentle and encouraging prayer known as “Be at Peace” is often linked to St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), the Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church. Although the exact wording does not appear in his published books, it is believed to have been inspired by his letters to those who sought his guidance.
St. Francis was known for his calm and fatherly counsel, especially to people weighed down by anxiety or fear of the future. In his correspondence, he often urged them to trust completely in God’s care, to focus on the present moment, and to surrender tomorrow into the hands of the Heavenly Father.
Over the years, excerpts from his advice were gathered, rephrased, and eventually shaped into the short prayer we know today. Its gentle call to release fear and rest in God’s providence captures the very heart of St. Francis’s teaching. That is why, even though he may never have penned it exactly as we read it now, the Church continues to treasure the prayer as a true reflection of his spirit.
