Sometimes the prayers won't come.
Sometimes the Psalter doesn't resonate.
Sometimes the pain is too great,
the world is too loud,
the silence is too deafening.

Sometimes the only prayer I can pray is "Lord, have mercy,"
and the Holy Spirit intercedes for me,
and the Son prays for me,
and the Father hears my cry.

Lord, have mercy.

Unknown to many American Christians, the cry "Lord, have mercy" has its place in the Western and Eastern liturgies spanning the millennia back to nearly apostolic times. It is used as a corporate response in prayer. It is sung in the liturgy. It is the central part of the Orthodox Jesus prayer. It surrounds us throughout the history of Christ's church.

Sometimes it is the best, most heartfelt, most honest prayer I can mutter. Many time, no more words are necessary. I plead with God for grace and wait in silence for him to respond, to act, to move, to save.

Today is one of those days.

Lord, have mercy.