Kyrie Eleison
Have mercy on me, O God, for my soul trusteth in Thee.[1]
My children, behold the generations of men, and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord and been confounded. Woe to them that are faint-hearted who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by Him.[2]
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence.[3]
“HAVE mercy on me, for my soul trusteth in Thee.” That, O Lord, is now my plea, and one we know which finds favour in Thy sight, for Thou hast said: “Because he hoped in Me, I will deliver him.” All we need is to pray Thee to give us this hopeful devotion, that we may be able to say with David: “I have loved, because the Lord will hear the voice of my prayer.” Not because He has heard, but because I am confident He will hear it. And what shall we ask for? O Lord, do Thou Thyself teach us what petitions to make. In the first place, that Thou wilt have mercy on us. Could we form a prayer more beautiful than that of St Ambrose, when he says: “For Thou hast mercy on all, O Lord, and hatest none of the things Thou has made. Be mindful of our substance, for Thou art our Father, Thou art our God. Be not very angry, nor withhold the multitude of Thy mercies from us, for we do not prostrate ourselves before Thee confiding in our own merits, but in the multitude of thy mercies. Take from us our iniquities, and kindle in us the fire of the Holy Ghost. Take away our stony hearts and give us hearts of flesh that will love Thee, delight in Thee and follow Thee. We implore, O Lord, Thy mercy, that Thou mayest deign to look upon us with benevolence… And that none of our desires may be displeasing to Thee, nor any of our petitions unfruitful, we beseech Thee Thyself to suggest to us prayers that Thou wilt graciously hear and be pleased to grant.”
Yes, Lord, do not let us ask for what is not according to Thy holy will. Let all our desires be conformed to that. Of one thing we are certain: if we ask for the spirit of divine love we shall not be asking amiss, so with our whole hearts we will say confidently:
Come, Holy Ghost, send down those beams
Which sweetly flow in silent streams
From Thy bright throne above.
Oh, come, Thou Father of the poor,
Come, Thou the source of all our store,
Come, fill our hearts with love.
Lord, have mercy on us.
[1] Ps. 56:2.
[2] Ecclus 2:11-15.
[3] Jer. 17:7.