The Mercy Blog, an online diary, notepad and general scrapbook, with links, thoughts and other electronic scribbles of interest to Mercy Site readers...
The Mercy Site - Contemplative Prayer for Christians, originally launched back in 2002, brings together links, resources and teaching on praying according to Romans 8:26 - "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..."
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10)
"You have exalted above all things your name and your word." (Psalm 138:2)
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
"Contemplation is for all Christians... [It] means essentially our being with God, putting ourselves in his presence, being hungry and thirsty for him, wanting him, letting heart and mind move towards him; with the needs of the world on our heart." (Michael Ramsey)
"The secret of Christian contemplation is that it faces us with Jesus Christ toward our suffering world in loving service and just action..." (Catherine of Siena)
"An elder was once asked, 'What is a merciful heart?' He replied:
'It is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity, for the birds, for the animals, for demons, and for all that exists. By the recollection of them the eyes of a merciful person pour forth tears in abundance. By the strong and vehement mercy that grips such a person’s heart, and by such great compassion, the heart is humbled and one cannot bear to hear or to see any injury or slight sorrow in any in creation.
For this reason, such a person offers up tearful prayer continually even for irrational beasts, for the enemies of the truth, and for those who harm her or him, that they be protected and receive mercy. And in like manner such a person prays for the family of reptiles because of the great compassion that burns without measure in a heart that is in the likeness of God.'" (St. Isaac of Nineveh - 7th century)
