Posted on December 1, 2025

By John Coleman

As Jesus and three of His disciples came down from the mountain peak where He had been transfigured, they saw a large crowd around the other disciples and the teachers of the law arguing with them. Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing with them about?” (Mark 9: 14-16)

There’s a lot of that these days, isn’t there? Arguing. No longer are we content to try and inform others; instead, we are determined to influence them. And we will do that—every chance we get, at the top of our voices, and with little or no regard for how or why others think and feel the way they do.

May this prayer of St. Francis of Assisi be a part of our guidance and discernment in these tumultuous days— 

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, the truth;

Where there is doubt, the faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled, as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

Amen.

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John Coleman is the Chief Content Officer for the Master Life Coach Training Institute, a university academic counselor and professor of psychology and the Bible, a certified life coach, and a pastor.