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.
www.worldprayer-lordhavemercy.com
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