Prayer to Live Christ’s Mercy

Today, October 5th is the feast day of St. Faustina. Below is a powerful prayer from her diary, imploring the Lord that she, not only give, but actually BE His mercy for others. She deeply desired to love others with Christ’s own merciful love. May we make this our prayer too. As I read the prayer below, I am aware of the challenge each line presents! Let us begin by asking the Lord to free us from self-centered or worldly attachments that we might be consumed – body, mind, heart, spirit, soul – with His presence. St. Faustina, pray for us!

“O Lord, I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, O Lord, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the most difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor.

May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me” (Diary, 163).