Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7

Dear Jesus,

There is no way I would ever have a relationship with you if you were not merciful.  I fail you too much and too often. But your mercy keeps our connection alive and fresh every day.  I know that mercy is meant to change me.  You want me to give the mercy that keeps all my relationships with people alive as well.  I need your supernatural help with this one.  There is a canyon in my soul between the cliff where you give me mercy and the cliff where I am supposed to share that mercy with others.  I need you to build a bridge across the great divide.  I want to be merciful like you are, but I am weak and fearful.  So, I withhold forgiveness.  I repent, Jesus.  Help me to forgive and help me stay in the relationships around me, even those that hurt me, for your mercy’s sake. AMEN

Pastor Don Patterson

Mercy, forgiveness and grace are triplets that transform the person with whom they live or else they leave.