summary 'worldprayer-lordhavemercy'

Offering directly concrete help to today’s worldwide suffering and pain, we are confronted with by the media, is impossible for most of us. How then to deal with the pain of the world? One possible answer is: by praying “lord have mercy”. Since it is concise, clear and intense, this prayer is highly suitable. As it is formulated in the english language, the prayer will be understood and can be said by almost everyone.

Although “lord have mercy” is at times exclusively associated with the so-called jezusprayer, each religion has own version(s). Since the origin of the prayer goes back to mankind’s primal days, this is not surprising. Sadly, tribes and nations have been fighting each other since the beginning of history. The defeated pleaded for their lives to be spared. As intensely as they we should pray “lord have mercy”. Pleading for the relief of no matter what kind of pain, suffered by no matter whom. The lord we address may be jezus, buddha, allah, krishna – or whichever lord our heart goes out to. One may leave the lord unnamed (anonymous), even absent. Praying “have mercy”. Praying without adress. Prayer is not religions exclusively privilege. Prayer is universally human.

So, let us pray “lord have mercy”. Unnoticeable silent if not in thought. In the rhythm of our breath. In response to pain and suffering - concrete and general. As continuously as possible.

As nowadays the world is as a little village, where everyone determines one another’s wellbeing, the world passionately needs a collective prayer. That prayer, that worldprayer, is “lord have mercy”. Whether addressing the lord of one’s heart or leaving him unnamed - always does it express we acknowledge the reality of another one’s pain and suffering. And that our heart was touched. Pleading that anyone in pain may experience relief, may receive help, may meet with compassion. Will be blessed with purification. At whatever place and time.

Let us also pray “lord have mercy” for the countless many heroic aid workers. As signs of hope they deserve our solidarity and support. They do need that. Let we pray “lord have mercy” for ourselves too. This isn’t selfish. As an antidote to hubris, to hidden selfcontentment, it prevents us from using the pain of others for ignoring own pain and fears. So, praying for ourselves is realistic. Moreover, praying for oneself, one soon arrives at praying for others. Transforming own pain and fears into sources of compassion for the pain and fears of others. There is no difference between praying for ourselves and praying for others. As there is no difference between others and ourselves.