So often in our prayers, we tend to complicate things. We sit down or kneel, calm our minds, and then attempt to string together the most beautiful prayer that God has ever heard, perfectly encapsulating all of the thoughts, desires, and longings swirling around our head and hearts.
We forget that many times, we can just keep it simple.
Lord, have mercy.
If you want to go crazy, you can lengthen that phrase to Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
With these three (or seven) words, we can say so much.
For one, this prayer implies that we are sinners, and that we are in need of mercy. It’s a humbling reality check for us. We are not the rulers of the universe. We’re far from perfect, and we need help.
And, second, this prayer recognizes that God is the Divine Judge, to whom we are and will be answerable at the end of our lives. But, that Judge is also the source of Divine Mercy. If we recognize the error of our ways, repent of our sins, and turn to Him in a spirit of humility, trust, and dependence, He will grant us mercy.
Lord, have mercy.