Daily Prayer: MERCY

Showing posts with label MERCY. Show all posts

a prayer for patience in hard times

Lord of Wisdom and Grace,

I am anxious and find myself struggling so much.

Grant me patience as I navigate the challenges I encounter today.

Fill me anew with your life giving Spirit of grace and mercy.

Help me to slow down and gather grace to live in what I face today.

Bless me to take a breath and respond to the challenges of life.

And as I wait, bless me as I treat people with grace and kindness.

Help me to take heart, acting with love in all that I do.

Amen

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A prayer of repentance and mercy

Open to me the gates of repentance, O Giver of Life,

For my spirit rises early to pray towards Thy holy temple,

Bearing the temple of my body all defiled;

But in Thy compassion, purify me by the loving kindness of Thy mercy.

Lead me on the paths of salvation, O Mother of God,

For I have profaned my soul with shameful sins,

and have wasted my life in laziness.

But by your intercessions, deliver me from all impurity.

When I think of the many evil things I have done, wretch that I am,

I tremble at the fearful day of judgement.

But trusting in Thy loving kindness, like David I cry to Thee:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.

Source: From the "troparia" (Eastern Orthodox liturgy) quoted by Schmemann, Alexander. 1969. Great Lent. New York: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

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Luke 18:9–14 (ESV)

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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A prayer for a fresh start

A prayer for a fresh start:

Lord, thank you for another year of life and all that you provided for us last year. We lay before you all the disappointments and unfinished work, and we ask for your mercy, peace, and joy as we look to the year ahead. May we delight in the gift of your presence as we discern the journey you have for us in this new year.

Source: Ten Prayers for the New Year (Dennae Pierre) - Christianity Today

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a prayer to be merciful

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbour's souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbours' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbour, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbours and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbour overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbour.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbour.

I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence.

May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

Amen.

... a prayer by Sister Faustina Kowalska

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help me to forgive

Dear God,

In these days of hurt feelings, I choose to forgive.

When people are unkind and hateful, I choose to forgive.

As I feel frustrated and weary, I choose to forgive.

Help me Lord to let go of the hurts and pain.

Cause me to be kind when I am exhausted by life.

Bless me that I might bless when I am offended.

I praise you dear Father. You are worthy.

Amen.

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when we feel alone

Dear Lord,

I feel so alone. So desperate. And so sad.

I feel like there is no one who really cares.

Embrace me with your loving spirit.

Help me to feel your presence and your love.

I feel like the weight of the world is on me.

Bring a friend to me that can help me bear the burden.

I surrender my life to you and kneel before you.

Thank you for hearing me and for loving me.

You alone are worthy of all praise.

I love you Lord.

Amen

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a prayer to be merciful

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbour's souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbours' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbour, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbours and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbour overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbour.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbour. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence.

May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

Amen.

... a prayer by St. Faustina

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a prayer to be kind

Dear Lord,

Empower us to live into your kindness today.

Cultivate in us a heart that looks like your heart.

Remind us that what we do reflects who we are.

Help us to love as you love and forgive all who hurt us.

Teach us to open our arms to those who are not like us.

May all those who are kind be blessed and prosper.

To you belong all love, honor and worship.

Amen.

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help me to be a burden bearer

Gracious Lord,

My friends are weighed down and hurting.
Bless me that I might come alongside them and help.

My neighbors are worried about their families.
Open my eyes to their suffering.

My world is at war and hate seems to rule the day.
Turn my heart and mind to love and mercy.

In all things, help me to be a burden bearer.
Make me an instrument of your compassion and care.

Amen.

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help us to be kind

Dear Lord,

Help us to demonstrate kindness everywhere I go.

Remind us to share smiles, share friendship, and spread kindness today and always.

In all things, and in all ways, teach us to reflect your character.

Amen

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bless us with love

Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!

That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!

Thank you for the gift of forgiveness,
Help me to love and forgive when I am offended.

O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!

Bless us with your Love O God.
Bless us with your Love.

-adapted from a prayer by an unknown author

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stepping into grace

Dear Father,

Thank you for the grace that I sense every day.

Grant me the wisdom and boldness to step into that grace.

Open my ears and my eyes that I might discern your leading.

Cause me to speak and act in such a way that grace is manifested.

Help me Lord to be an instrument of your grace.

Amen.

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leaning into grace

Lord Jesus,

We pray today that you shower us with your mercy and grace so that we may remain in you and you in us.

Through your mercy and grace may we become vessels through which our families, friends and neighbors might know, love, serve, praise and glorify you.

May our actions and words be a manifestation of your mercy and grace.

May your mercy and grace flow from you to us, from us to those nearby and then to rest of the people in the world.

Amen.

- adapted from a Catholic prayer

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a prayer to walk humbly

Father,

I must admit, I'm not a fan of being humble. But I am also not a fan of when my pride gets out of control. All day I can proclaim that You require us to "act justly" and to "love mercy" ... but if I'm honest God, I cannot do those things unless I am also walking humbly with You.

I thank you for Your hesed love for me, the only kind of love that enables me to fight the sin of my pride so that I can walk humbly with You.

Lord, remind me that in my own strength to act justly and to love mercy ends up being for my own gain, and not for Your glory.

Teach me to desire a humble walk with You. Turn my heart toward a place of surrender that shows Your face, Your love, Your character, to each person I encounter.

Amen.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

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a call to mercy

Merciful Lord, it does not surprise me that you forget completely the sins of those who repent.

I am not surprised that you remain faithful to those who hate and revile you.

The mercy which pours forth from you fills the whole world.

It was by your mercy that we were created, and by your mercy that you redeemed us by sending your Son.

Your mercy is the light in which sinners find you and good people come back to you.

Your mercy is everywhere, even in the depths of hell where you offer to forgive the tortured souls.

Your justice is constantly tempered with mercy, so you refuse to punish us as we deserve.

O mad Lover!

It was not enough for you to take on our humanity; you had to die for us as well.

Amen.

- Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

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a prayer for mercy

Sovereign Lord,

You see all us who dwell on earth.. each moment they live and breathe, you see us and are with us. You are not far off, but are instead close and present, with your Spirit indwelling in each if us.

Have mercy on those who now suffer the miseries of a war not of their own making.

Have compassion on the wounded and dying; and comfort the broken-hearted.

Confound the hatred and madness of those who make war.

Guide our rulers and bring strength to those who must fight for what is right.

Father - bring war to an end, bring peace across the world. Unite us all under the reign of your Son, the Prince of Peace, before whose judgement seat the rulers of the world will give account, and in whose name we pray. Amen.

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unfailing kindness: hesed

Father God,

We lift your name on high, knowing you are the everlasting God. You are infinite, powerful, and just. Yet you are close to us... and You are gentle, and you are merciful. We praise you because your name is worthy to be praised!

Please search our hearts today. Reveal to us any hidden sin: any idol we have placed above you, and help us to turn away from our sin and toward you. Our sin is grievous, oh, Lord. Yet you are slow to anger and swift to show us grace. May our hearts be filled with gratitude over your unfailing kindness.

Your unfailing kindness: a word some layered with meaning in the Old Testament that it cannot be just your kindness. It's one word in Hebrew: hesed but it means so much. It's about your grace, your mercy, your compassion... more than just your kindness to us.

Prepare our hearts for this day, oh Lord. Guide us in the way in which you'd have us go. Show us your will. May we encounter each person today with love and kindness, including ourselves.

Nothing is too hard for you. May we stand in this strength and power, knowing it comes not from us, but from you alone.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

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confident in the Lord

Father,

You are the light and salvation—whom shall we fear?
You are our stronghold —of whom shall we be afraid?

When the wicked advance against us to destroy and devour —

      please protect and cause them stumble and fall. 

Though an army besiege me, our hearts will not fear;
      though war break out against us, even then 

we will be confident.

 One thing we ask from the Lord, this only do we seek:
    that we may dwell in Your house, Father, all the days of my life.

For in the day of trouble, we are sure You will keep us safe in Your dwelling;
    You will hide us in the shelter of his sacred tent and set us high upon a rock.

Then we will be exalted above the enemies who surround; 

    at Your sacred tent we will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
     
We will sing and make music to the Lord.

 Hear our voices when we call, Lord; 

    be merciful to us and answer us. 

 Our hearts say of You, “Seek his face!”

 Your face, Lord, I will seek. 

Do not hide your face from us, do not turn Your servants away in anger; 

    You have been our helper.

Do not reject me or forsake us, God our Savior. 

Though our families forsake us,
    the Lord will receive us. 

 Teach us Your way, Lord;
    lead us in a straight path because of our oppressors. 

 Do not turn us over to the desire of our foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against us, spouting malicious accusations.

We remain confident of this:

   We will see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living. 

 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.

Amen

--------------adapted from Psalm 27--------------

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praying with confidence

I love this passage of scripture from the book of Hebrews. It says that we can present our prayers with confidence. What you may ask can we be confident of?

The answer is simple. When we pray we can be confident that we will receive mercy and find grace to help us. Notice that it did not say that our prayers would always be answered the way we prayed them - just that mercy and grace would be given.

This has been a hard week for me dear Father. I bring my hurting back to you. I bring Ann's health and healing to You as we both recover from falls. I bring all of my needs to you. I trust You with my needs. And thank You that You will give us grace and mercy. Amen

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God is the center

Saving and wondrous God,

In the time You walked upon this earth, and in Your time became one of us to show what we could become. Remind us always as we look at our lives in comparison with Yours that at the center of all things is Your saving grace.

In your time, Mighty God You will come in glory. And in your time gather the harvest from one end of this earth to the other. Remind us always, in times of plenty and in times of famine that at the center of all things are Your mercy.

There is a transformation that takes place within the warmth of your embrace. We acknowledge that You are our refuge, shelter, fortress and stronghold, against which no army can succeed.

You give a love that knows no bounds.

Remind us that You are God, and that we are lost outside of Your embrace.

You are the center of all things.

Amen

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