St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“...be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5 v 20, 21)

Lord, hold us safe in Your love and firm in our faith, that we are redeemed of all faults and failings by the holy sacrifice of Your beloved Son on the †.

Lord, it is ever Your merciful love which encourages our return to holiness in the face of failure, even the most serious failure. Thank You so much.

The Lord Jesus, shepherding us, will ever comfort and console us in the face of failure, sending His Spirit of loving mercy to work with us for the purpose of healing.

Often we struggle with forgiveness for hurts received rather than self inflicted. But even this complex situation, You deal with in all loving wisdom to obtain a godly outcome, through the peace the Lord Jesus

wins for us.

“Peaceable suffering is no longer suffering.” (St John Vianney) Can we not make this an offering in prayer? Let us no longer complain of suffering, but regard this as a benefit.

We need please, Your Spirit’s counsel to reach such a level of understanding. He will convince us that “We should have much more reason to complain of not suffering.” (St John Vianney)

Why? Because “Nothing makes us more like our Lord than carrying His Cross. Oh, what a beautiful union of the soul with our Lord Jesus Christ by the love and virtue of His Cross!” (St John Vianney)

Complaining is but one problem, Lord, and there are so many others, I am sorry. “Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, of my salvation.” (Psalm 38 v 21, 22)

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust.”

(Psalm 56 v 3, 4) “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 14 v 25) and I am so grateful to be able to plead for mercy because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at the †.

I must turn to my Saviour Brother more readily when I am faltering and failing. I must not let my willpower and desire override what I know is right in Your sight, Father God.

I ask for the Spirit’s help here, so I can overcome all strains of wilful disobedience. Please give me the Spirit’s support and strengthening of faith, even to helping me put right what I get wrong.

Sometimes it is hard to admit to being wrong, as our pride takes a knock. We like to think we are in control and this is a serious error, as we are self-centred.

“Have mercy upon us, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out our transgressions.” (Psalm 51 v 1 the singular invocation changed to plural)

Please cleanse us through the blood the Lord Jesus shed for us on the † and His self offering of healing love made worldwide, daily in the Holy Eucharist. Look with mercy upon us.

“Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from us.” (Psalm 51 v 10, 11 changed to plural)

May the Holy Spirit help us to act and speak as the Lord Jesus would, think and decide similarly, nothing held back nor hidden, because we are open of heart, humble and teachable.

Thank You dearest Father, that You ever accept the sacrifice the Lord Jesus made for us at the †, and continues to make in the Holy Eucharist, that we can be forgiven.

“A broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51 v 17) and we are told there is much rejoicing in heaven even over one repentant sinner.

Please regard our prayer of repentance, offered in heartfelt remorse for having offended You. Please never desert us, for we are destitute without Your all loving mercy.

“If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared,” (Psalm 130 v 3) as the Spirit teaches us.

It is hard to admit we are warped, we give in to our weaknesses. We stand in continuous need of humility, realising that with You, Lord God “...there is mercy and with You is abundant redemption.” (based on

Psalm 130 v 7)

You have gifted us a Saviour and sent us a Sanctifier. “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psalm 126 v 5) and this process must be continuous, until we become as pure in our ways as our Lord Jesus is.

“So our eyes look to You, Lord our God, until You have mercy on us. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!” (Psalm 123 v 2, 3)

Please deal mercifully with our pride, which prevents us from seeing and openly admitting our faults and failings. Gift us contrition and a contempt for arrogance.

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications!” (Psalm 143 v 1) This is an earnest appeal for guidance and deliverance. Thank You for every aspect of Your loving mercy enabling us to become open of

heart.

“In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous.” (v 1,2)

But we can be made of right standing before You, as soon as we turn to the Lord Jesus and claim Him as our Saviour Redeemer, Your rescue plan for us instituted at the †.

“Teach us to do Your will, for You are our God; Your Spirit is good” (v 10 changed to plural) and will always help us to call upon Jesus as our personal Healer. “Lead us in the land of uprightness.” (v 10

changed to plural)

Lord, You preserve us and prosper us, thank You so much. You, in Your Son, by Your Spirit, are our “Loving kindness, fortress, high tower and Deliverer, our shield and the One in whom we take refuge.” (based

on Psalm 144 v 2)

Thank You for being “Gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy, good to all, Your tender mercies being over all Your works.” (based on Psalm 145 v 8, 9)

When we fall You uphold us, asking the Spirit to upbuild our faith once more. Your beloved Son teaches us to hope in You expectantly, confidently, for You are the Lord of every mercy.

“Righteous in all Your ways, gracious in all Your works, You are near to all who call upon You, to all who call in truth,” (based on Psalm 145 v 17, 18) and this You enable through Jesus.

“Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.” (Traditional prayer) And forgive us all we get wrong whether by omission or commission.

“Happy is (s)he who has You, Lord God for his (or her) help, whose hope is in You,” (Psalm 146 v 5)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, “who keeps truth forever,” (v 6) “who executes justice for the oppressed.” (v 7)

When we are oppressed by sin, may we in all humility turn to You. “By humility and fear of the LORD are riches and honour and life” (Proverbs 22 v 4) we are told. May we always enable life to be blessed in this

way as we pray for open heart and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our Saviour, showing us how rich in love and mercy You are, thank You. Amen.

Category: (MERCY, Humility)