The presence of my soul
stands before me
begging for mercy
to become
who?
someone worthy
in this journey
so-called life.

If you seek justice for yourself and others, you must fear God, for God grants us what we desire. However, if you seek mercy for yourself and others, you need not fear God.
—Timothy Charles Carter

“Mercy,” He said, is the higher call, a gift of grace offered to all.
For justice measures and gives each part, But mercy heals the broken heart.
It sees the sinner not just the sin, And invites repentance to begin.
“Blessed are the merciful,” He proclaimed, For they shall receive the same. Not an eye for an eye, nor a tooth for a tooth, But love that seeks the deeper truth.
For in each act of forgiveness shown, the seeds of a greater love are sown. And in this love, we find release, from bonds of bitterness to peace.
So let us walk the merciful mile, With open hearts and a gentle smile. For in mercy’s embrace, we truly find, The justice that’s compassionate and kind.

If you'd have asked me how
I wouldn't have been able to tell you
But He touched me
The energy I used trying to prove a point
I redirected it to seeking Him
I surrender.

I couldn't keep going back to
He leaves the 99 for the 1
I needed to see draw near to me as I draw near to you

Yes He touched me
Soaking my face towel in
Regrets and repentance
I felt a warm embrace

Every year I crossover
It humbles me coz who I'm I
That He favors me this way
Filled with gratitude on my knees
For He didn't allow the suicide to go through
Didn't hold my past against me
And everyday renewing His mercies
What a privilege!

So in the deep...
I'll trade my fear for trust
Guilt and shame for gratitude
Regret and reproach for thanksgiving

I said once make sure when you look back you can do it with a smile
But I'm also allowing you to look
Back with a cry coz you've made it through.

The mountains before you are now so far behind you.
The darkness that was palpable now gone to be forgotten
Coz light don't negotiate with the dark.
Finally you can breathe out and breathe in fresh air.

Pull your head out the water.
You're safe.
We're here now!

You have shown us, Oh Lord, the power of your judgement and the greatness of your mercy. The prayers of the faithful and the just will not go unheard. Their cries do not fall on deaf ears. The Lord has spared me from his wrath. He has delivered me from danger. Your blessings and mercies are new each day and great is your faithfulness as the sun will rise once more.

Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Hear us when we cry out to you Oh Lord
Though we sail the sea of faith
We are buffeted by the trials of life
Tossed about by waves and wind
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Protect us from danger and grant us peace
Watch over us in our waking and our sleep
Help us remain ever vigilant in our watch
That not one lamb may find itself lost
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

We know you hear our prayers Oh God
For you are good and gracious indeed
You hear the cries of your beloved children
Oh Lord, come swiftly in our time of need
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

When troubles come and hard times assail
Remind us that evil will never prevail
You overcame the world so we shall not fear
Nor, for anything, want as long as you are near
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

You consecrate our lives in your blessed truth
In your compassion fill all of our youth
With love for you and the world outside
Shine your light upon us, your face do not hide
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Have mercy on our souls Oh God
Your faithfulness and love go on forever
Turn our hearts back home to you Oh Lord
Hear us as we fervently pray
For healing and peace upon this scarred earth
For righteousness and justice to flourish
For wisdom and understanding above all
Restore our hearts and heal our lands
For, great is the love that flowed from your hands
You have blessed me with a gift: help me use it well
I am moved and touched, and my soul will dwell
In the house of the Lord all the days of my life
Have mercy on us and on the whole world
Amen

Thank the Lord for He is merciful, and He is kind
The sins we confess are forgotten, left far behind
He is slow to anger, and He is rich in compassion
Clothed with majesty and with love: a style always in fashion
Holy and righteous, powerful and true
Before you even said a word, He already knew
It's not something that we could ever earn
And, by all accounts, we really all should burn
It certainly isn't something that we deserve
I tremble before you and I lose my nerve
I cry "Have mercy on me Oh Lord a sinner"
But you lift me up and say "I'm coming to dinner"
"Lord my God, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof
Heal my heart so that I may have irrefutable proof".
Thank Him for His Mercy and all that love has done
Thank Him for his Mother and His one and only son
Help me have mercy on those that test my restraint
For, you bear my grievances with the patience of a saint
Forgive me Lord for the times I have failed
It was for those faults that you were nailed
Forgive me when I was a thorn in your side
Forgive me when I am overcome by pride
Your grace is enough for me, help me extend it to others
For all people are our neighbors, our sisters and our brothers
The two greatest commandments are about love
And out of love came mercy and grace
A river of life flowing down from Heaven above
A heart big enough for the whole human race
So, thank Him for his mercy in everything you do
And remember, no matter what: God Loves You!

You’ve been hurt and broken I’ve been there before
Beaten, bruised, and mocked: you can’t take it any more
Stripped of possessions and dignity, feeling less than poor
I felt the nails as they were driven so deep
I knew the sorrows as my own and I would weep
I remember the long days and longer nights with no sleep
The pain you feel now, I intimately understand
I cover you with love and hold you in my hand
You can’t see it now, but I have something planned
Rest now my child. Rest in my merciful heart
Be at peace my child. And in peace healing can start
And I will mend and piece together every broken part
Run into my arms and there you can begin to heal
With my love surrounding you, begin once more to feel
Cling to me when the nightmares come back and seem so real
My love for you will never fade nor will it dim or die
And when you are overwhelmed come to me and cry
I will dry your eyes and fill you with a happy sigh
Keep your eyes on me and you will see the sun come shining through
What will come out of the storm is a better stronger you
I will see you through whatever I have brought you to
Trust in me, rest in my love oh my sweet little one
My grace in you and with you and through you has just begun
Rejoice, there is so much left to do before our work is done!

You alone Lord truly know our pain when no one else can. Too often we suffer in silence and solitude. Remind us that we are never alone. You suffered the same. May we find comfort and solace in our sharing and find the strength to carry our cross with your help. And although suffering is hard, there are blessings still in being able to help others who are hurting. When we can lift others up, we are lifted up as well. In your merciful heart and endless love, help us find peace and begin to heal from our brokenness and pain. May our hearts find the peace and refreshment that only comes from resting in Your healing heart Oh God. Amen