53 PRAY FOR MERCY.

God, be merciful to me a sinner!

     —Luke 18:13

In prayer all pretense melts away leaving us to face the stark reality of who we are, not who we would like to be.

In prayer our greatest needs are exposed along with our greatest sins.

In prayer, we cry out for mercy because nothing else can be uttered.

In prayer, we desperately seek for us what we cannot do for ourselves—forgiveness.

In prayer, we don’t care who listens or what they think of us. All that matters is what God thinks of us.

In prayer, God’s mercy reminds me of my complete inability to forgive myself much less others.

In prayer, I confess that until I receive mercy, I have nothing else to pray.

Praying this mercy prayer offends the self-righteous. Not praying it leaves me mired in offense.

Lord,

Be merciful to me, a sinner. Amen.