One morning my former pastor checked out the news before going to pray so he’d be up-to-date on what to pray for. But he found himself getting so agitated by the headlines that he couldn’t settle down. His mind was overwhelmed by the evil being unleashed on innocent people and the natural disasters that seemed to be springing up everywhere.
“So what am I supposed to pray for?” he thought. “To fix the people who are doing these evil acts? For peace?” Some of his parishioners were asking him why they should even pray. “It doesn’t seem to make any difference,” they said.
Father found inspiration from Abraham, who stood as one man before God and negotiated what could have been the salvation of Sodom and Gomorrah, had there been 10 innocent men there (you’ll remember he talked God down from 50 innocent men). Sin was running rampant, but Abraham did not let that stop him from hoping in God’s mercy.
Mercy, said Father, provides the way back into peaceful prayer. We can go before God and, no matter what is going on, we can simply call out to God for mercy, like Abraham did. God knows what we need. With the simple plea for mercy, we don’t have to figure out how God will give it, or to whom. Just “grant mercy to those who need it most right now, Lord.”
Father said that when he prays “mercy,” it penetrates the trauma – “The trauma,” he said, “no longer has dominion over me.”
Let’s remind ourselves who has dominion. St. Paul quoted scripture in writing that “‘For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:36-39).
St. Paul, pray for us. Abraham, man of hope – pray for us.
Love always,
Rose
P.S. How’s your prayer life? If you’d like clarity on where you are now with your connection with God and guidance on your next step to get closer to him (including the possibility of signing up for my new program, “Pray Like a Saint,” book a free call with me at https://calendly.com/vir2connection/chat-with-rose.
Pamela
Thank you Rose, for sharing this prayer! Often I feel like I’m in the middle of the ocean with huge waves crashing over me and I’m just trying to keep my head above the water (waves being all the evil which seems to be dominating our world and country) This simple prayer is like a bright life bouy which I gratefully grab on to and feel relief and hope! Mercy! 🙏🏼❤️
Diane Upham
So well said, I felt the waves trying to push me under. My prayers like that of 🌹 Rose’s give me peace and thanksgiving for my Faith in Our Almighty God. Thank you Pamela for your wonderful response.
Diane Isabelle
Great prayer for tough times!
Tom Roberts
I never thought of it but the one word prayer MERCY automatically covers thee and me.
Susan
A beautiful prayer of mercy for all.
We hang on to the belief that God loves everyone. We pray that everyone obtains mercy from the heartfelt prayers of the people of God. St. Abraham and heavenly Saints…..pray for us
Lucy Edwards
Thank you Rose for this beautiful prayer as we live hopeful, trustful, faithful and love from family and friends.
Mercy for all,
Lucy
Debbie
HI Rose,
Thank you for sharing this reading with us.
As always, I look forward to your email Sunday mornings. Sometimes I see it drop in my emails as I am up late praying.
God bless you and your family
In His Holy Name
Debbie