Some prayers are too big for words. Empty words, atleast.
Our modern prayer-words are anorexic in the face of pain and agony.
The Mercy Prayer uttered from the depths of the heart becomes pain and prayer together, personified. When pain comes, hard and fast
or agony creeps long and slow …
Lord, have mercy.
The one phrase that begs one God to respond and move: comfort, heal and hold.
Now.
Lord, have mercy…
The one phrase that beckons the merciful, redemptive incarnation

in a moment.

Lord, have mercy…
The one phrase that crosses the barriers of culture. Of nations.
Because there are no barriers in loss. In sickness. In death.
Christ have mercy: with this prayer, we reach up with heart and hands, desperate– not knowing what will, if anything– come down.

Lord have mercy

Christ, have mercy.
We reach up and out, because we have nothing in and of ourselves to absolve.
We open ourselves to gentleness; the only true goodness we know.
We cry out: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Because there are no other words
to pray
When heaven
must
Come down.