Much has been written about this prayer—what it means, how to use it, where it can take you. It isn’t as restrictive as it seems at first sight. Praying for mercy doesn’t just mean “I’ve done something wrong, so please forgive me.” It’s a much wider petition, asking that God send his merciful presence and help in a thousand and one situations, despite the fact that we don’t deserve such aid and never could. And, though the prayer is explicitly addressed to Jesus himself, which is unusual though not unknown even in the New Testament itself, it’s offered in the confidence that when we come to
...more
