"Lord, Have Mercy"

By Pastor Wilson

They’re just three words, but together they make the Prayer of the Church. I know sometimes we may think that the Pastor or Vicar is the one who says the prayers in church, but that’s really not the case. Sure, Vicar or I may speak the bid of the prayer… “For those who are sick that they might be comforted…” But the prayer itself is said by the congregation. That’s why those bids end with the words, “let us pray to the Lord,” and then the entire congregation prays together as one… “Lord, Have Mercy.”

They’re just three words, but together they serve as the cry of our united hearts. And during these days of anxiety and anger- I can’t think of three words more appropriate to be on our lips. “Lord, Have Mercy.”

Will you pray with me?

For our communities experiencing pain, anger, sadness, and distrust, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For the families of those who have suffered injustice and wrong in this world, that they would be comforted in their grief by the God of all comfort, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For those who are called to protect us, that they would be protected in their service and that they would carry out their calling with a heart set to serve those entrusted to their care, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For our leaders that they would heed God’s wisdom in their decisions, and that they would make their decisions mindful of all of those they serve, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For the sick and those who suffer that the Lord would look on them and grant them healing according to His will, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For those who mourn, that they would be comforted by the promise of the resurrection in Jesus, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For our hearts that have far too often been filled with love for ourselves and a lack of love for our neighbors, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For ourselves who have far too often known the good we ought to do- and yet have sinned by not doing it, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For strength to serve our Lord anew by serving all of His creation in His love, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For a mind that acknowledges and a heart that confesses that each and every person is created by God and someone for whom Christ has died, and the strength to care for them as such with kindness and love, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For all people that they would live at peace with one another and come to know where true peace is found, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy!

For these our petitions and all else that God knows that we need, let us pray to the Lord… Lord, Have Mercy, Christ, Have Mercy, Lord, Have Mercy! Amen!