4TH WEEK OF LENT

Why, O Lord, should your wrath blaze up against your own people?

Violence. War. Corruption. All the negative news we hear every day can be very upsetting. You might even be tempted to throw up your hands and say, “I feel so helpless; there’s nothing I can do!”

Moses was upset, too. He saw how the Israelites had turned to idolatry and knew their behavior was bringing condemnation upon them. He could have thrown up his hands and despaired over his people. He could have given up or become bitter at their betrayal of God and himself. But instead, he prayed fervently that the Lord would have mercy on them. And his prayers made a difference! God turned aside his wrath and judgment.

When a difficult situation weighs heavily on your mind, you can respond as Moses did. You don’t have to be a great saint to approach God and pray for his mercy. You can come to him with confidence “to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Hebrews 4:16).

Let that sink in. Almighty God invites you into his own throne room—and to come there with confidence, knowing that he will welcome you and hear your prayers. Like every good earthly father, your heavenly Father wants you to bring your cares and concerns to him. He wants to help! He’s just waiting for you to turn to him. He longs to pour out his mercy on you and the people you are praying for.

So pray right now for mercy. Bring to the Lord all the concerns that make you feel powerless or tempt you to despair. Pray for those difficult situations that you see in the world or in the Church. But also pray for mercy for yourself and your loved ones. As you invite him into each situation, you will notice that your thoughts begin to turn from fear and resignation toward hope and trust. That old saying is true: “Prayer changes things.” You can do something; your prayers do make a difference!

“Lord, have mercy on us and on the whole world!”

Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 106:19-23
John 5:31-47