“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Bible Verses About St. Francis Of Assisi
Living a Life of Humility
We learn from St. Francis of Assisi the beauty of humility. In our faith, we understand that humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but rather thinking of ourselves less. St. Francis taught us to live simply, to serve others, and to rely on God for our needs. When we embrace humility, we can hear God’s voice more clearly and serve others with a pure heart. His life exemplifies the teachings of Christ, demonstrating that we should approach life with a gentle spirit, looking to uplift others rather than elevate ourselves.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Proverbs 16:19
“Better to be humble in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” – Proverbs 16:19
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
The Call to Serve
St. Francis devoted his life to serving the less fortunate and caring for creation. We, too, are called to serve in our communities and love our neighbors as ourselves. Serving others is a vital expression of our faith. When we take the time to help those in need, we align ourselves with God’s will. Through service, we reflect the heart of Christ and spread His love throughout the world, turning our faith into action.
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” – Matthew 25:40
Romans 12:1
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Faith and Trust in God
St. Francis showed us how to live a life filled with faith and trust in God. His unwavering belief in God’s providence inspired many. We, too, are encouraged through Scripture to rely on God’s promises. In faith, we can face life’s uncertainties, knowing that God is faithful. Even in times of doubt or fear, reminding ourselves of His goodness and faithfulness can transform our perspectives and bring peace to our hearts.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:” – Psalm 37:5
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Love for Creation
St. Francis had a profound love for animals and the environment. His respect for God’s creation teaches us about stewardship. We are called to cherish not just one another but also the world around us. By caring for creation, we honor the Creator. Our actions, no matter how small, contribute to the well-being of our planet. As stewards of creation, we should show love and respect for all forms of life.
Genesis 1:28
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'” – Genesis 1:28
Psalm 104:24-25
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom, you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24-25
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26
Job 12:7-10
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.” – Job 12:7-10
Proverbs 12:10
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” – Proverbs 12:10
Spreading Peace
St. Francis is often known as the saint of peace. His life is a beautiful reminder that we are called to be peacemakers. Every day, we can strive to bring peace into our hearts, homes, and communities. As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we can choose forgiveness over anger and kindness in place of bitterness. Through our actions and words, we can help mend broken relationships and create a spirit of harmony.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18
Ephesians 4:3
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
The Power of Prayer
St. Francis deeply understood the importance of prayer in establishing a relationship with God. Prayer is our direct line of communication with the Father. It provides us with comfort, guidance, and strength in times of need. Through prayer, we align our hearts with God’s will and seek His wisdom in our lives. We are encouraged to pray continually, knowing that God listens and responds to our heartfelt requests.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Living Out the Gospel
St. Francis embodied the essence of living out the Gospel in his everyday life. His actions were a testament to his beliefs. We, too, are called to be examples of Christ’s love and grace in our interactions with others. Living out the Gospel means reflecting Christ’s light in the world, being kind, forgiving, and compassionate. In a world that often feels dark, we can choose to be the light, shining and spreading the good news through our actions and words.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Titus 2:7-8
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.” – Titus 2:7-8
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23-24
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the life of St. Francis of Assisi encourages us to embody the principles of humility, service, and love for creation. As we strive to be peacemakers in a divided world, let us remember that we are called to reflect the love of Christ in our everyday lives. Prayer empowers us, and living out the gospel allows us to shine a light in dark places. By embracing these values, we can grow closer to God and each other.
As we read through these scriptures, we can find inspiration and encouragement to pursue a life that mirrors that of St. Francis. Let’s take the time to deeply appreciate the beauty of God’s creation, serve those around us, and be vessels of peace and hope.
Interested in exploring more? Check out these insightful messages in Psalms 116 and Philippians 4.