St. Francis' "Canticle of the Sun" Makes a Great Pagan Prayer

I first read St. Francis's song "Canticle of the Sun" many, many years ago. And hadn't thought much of it since. But then I saw a portion of it reproduced in Rev Mark Townsend's book "Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ." 

Here is the full Canticle. But pay special attention to the stanzas in bold.

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you;
through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve him with great humility.

You see it? That section is directed, in order, to the Sun, the Moon and Stars, Wind and Air, Water, Fire and Earth. Very similar to God, Goddess, Air, Water, Fire and Earth right? Very Pagan. Very Wiccan. AND very much in line with my personal affinity to the Four Elements.

Of course, I can do without stuff like the line"woe to those who die in mortal sin!" and the masculine language. But much of this is very tenable as a prayer or ritual for a Pagan (be they Druid, Wiccan, etc.), but especially for those that either have mixed Christianity and Paganism into their spiritual path or Pagans that have a positive relationship to Christianity. 

So those of you who dig this, shape it, cut and paste it, or use it as is.