Young Adults' Group

The Prayer For Mercy

by Pastor Mark
May 04, 2017

The need for mercy

As there are many challenges in our lives that we may struggle with, we recognise how important it is to have God’s mercy in our lives. We know that without God’s mercy, we would not be able to cope with these difficulties of life. David understood how hard life was as he faced his share of challenges. Before he became king, David was vigorously hunted by King Saul. What was David’s response as he ran for his life? He was driven to pray for the mercy of the Lord.

The prayer for the Lord’s mercy

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You;” (Ps 57:1)

This was David’s urgent plea to the Lord for the Lord’s mercies. He was in danger of being killed by Saul and his men, and he recognised that he was helpless in facing his “calamities.” (Ps 57:1) Turning to the Lord for His mercies was the wisest thing to do. He chose to exercise faith in the Lord and to trust in Him. What are some of the things that we want to appreciate about the mercies of God?

1. God’s mercy in the giving of His protection

“And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” (Ps 57:1)

David used a wonderful imagery of how a mother bird would specially protect her chicks under her wings in the face of dangers. In the same way, David looked to God’s protection in the shadow of His wings. Let us pray for the mercies of God in giving us protection.

2. God answering our prayer for mercy

“I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me…God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.” (Ps 57:2,3)

Our Lord is the Most High God. He has the power to do all things. In answer to our prayers, the Lord sent forth His mercy. We thank God that He would mercifully answer our prayers and to help us in our circumstances.

3. Knowing God and His mercies helps us to be steadfast

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.” (Ps 57: 7)

When we know God and experienced His mercies in our lives, we can find assurance to help us to have steadfastness of heart. David went from feeling down in his soul to having this steadfastness of heart. (Ps 57:6,7) Let us be challenged to be steadfast.

4. Praising the Lord for His mercies

“I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds.” (Ps 57:9,10)

When we have experienced the mercies of God, our response should be one of praise and singing. God revealed the truth to David that His mercies are abundant…that it reaches to the heavens. We thank God for truth concerning God and His mercies in our lives. Let us respond with sense of determination to give praise and to sing among our people about His mercies. Let us choose to look to God and to pray for His mercies in the challenges of our life.

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