All through the centuries, since the time of the early church, there is a prayer that has been prayed a million times. It is in the story of the pharisee and the publican, and also in the story of the blind man, Bartimeus. "Lord Jesus, have mercy.” One man cries out these words because he knows he is a sinner, in need of forgiveness. Another man cries out because he wants Jesus to heal him. And each time – they received what they asked for.
This simple prayer can be prayed at any time in our day. We can pray it for our families. “Lord Jesus, have mercy… on my wife, on my chidren… be gracious to them. Show them your love today.”
We can pray it for the prodigals – those we know who have wandered from God – “Lord Jesus, have mercy… bring them home to the Father.”
We can pray it for our enemies – those who make our life hard. “Lord Jesus, have mercy…soften their hearts, reveal your love to them.”
We can pray it when we are in trouble… “Lord Jesus, have mercy… give me a new job.” Lord Jesus, have mercy… help me forgive.”
It is a prayer to plead with the Lord about others. It is a prayer to pray for ourselves. “Lord Jesus, have mercy.”
The first two words declare that he is Lord – he is the one who rules. He is the Lord of all – he can intervene and change lives and change hearts at any time. But he waits for our co-operation. He waits for our hearts to cry out to him. He waits for our prayers of faith. He waits for our hearts to be willing for him to take charge with his loving rule. He rules with love and great wisdom.
And he is Jesus – the one who saves – the one who rescues. He is the one who understands every longing, every heartache, every need that we have. He shared our life fully. So we can be confident when we come that he will be compassionate and merciful towards us.
And we know that the name of Jesus has power. Our enemy hates that name. It is the name that puts our enemies to flight – it is the name that is above all other names – so we can use it with confidence.
“Lord – my Lord – Jesus – my Saviour – have mercy.”
In Lamentations 3:23 Jeremiah declares that the Lord’s mercy is new every morning. He is always full of mercy. This is his loving-kindness. He cannot stop being merciful. Every time the sun rises – his mercy floods this world again. He does not get tired of being merciful.
“Lord Jesus, have mercy..” say it aloud now. “Lord Jesus, have mercy.”
Think about your family – say it for them… for their health, for their work, for the future of the young ones, for the peace of the older ones. Every day we can pray this prayer for our families. “Lord Jesus, have mercy on Mary… give her a new job”
Think about your own needs. “Lord Jesus, have mercy… I need your compassion… I need your love.”
Say it again now. “Lord Jesus, have mercy.”
When we see the troubles of this world we can pray this. “Lord Jesus, have mercy on our leaders, as they seek to do the right thing.” “Lord Jesus, have mercy on nations where there is famine and disaster. Send relief.”
It is a simple prayer. It is a prayer of the heart. I find if I say it a few times, it opens my heart to feeling his tenderness and his love. As his mercy comes to us, we become tender and merciful to others.
We can say it in our times alone with God. Just say it slowly, “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.” We do not even need to say any more words. He knows our hearts, he knows every part of our lives. So use it often when you are alone with God. You can say it as you drive. You can say it as you lie in bed, trying to go to sleep. You can say it while you are working. It is so simple. It will keep you close to him.
It is a prayer that can echo in us all day. Each phrase can be said as we breathe in and out. In – Lord Jesus, out – have mercy. I find that if I pray it this way, then my breathing still echoes it – even when I have stopped praying it. Our whole being can be praying. Not just our words or our thoughts.
“Lord Jesus – have mercy.” Say it again. “Lord Jesus, have mercy.” And he does! His tender mercy is here now.
This prayer can take us into the arms of our Father, our Abba. Jesus wants to show him to us. He wants us to know that we are ‘beloved’. So pray it this way often. “Lord Jesus, have mercy. Show me Father’s love.”
Say it now. “Lord Jesus, have mercy. Show me Father’s love.”
Remember to say it slowly, with your heart. And wait for his tender mercy to fill your heart.
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