Each of the 12 Scripture passages below focuses on mercy. A question for meditation follows each passage. You may choose to use the passages one at a time throughout the day, perhaps hourly, or all at once, or whatever works for you.
Here are twelve passages on mercy, offered for your meditation and prayer during the Day of Fasting and Prayer:
- “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” — Psalm 25:6Where in my life story have I especially experienced the mercy of God?
- “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” — Psalm 51:1For what moral failures do I ask God for mercy today?
- “Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.” — Psalm 119:77How is my life today enriched by God’s mercy, especially in God’s Word?
- “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” —Lamentations 3:22How steady and consistent in my own life are the emotion and the action of showing mercy?
- “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
How deeply do I love showing mercy to others? - “[Jesus said,] ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.’” — Matthew 5:7
What mercies of God have I received as I show mercy toward the hungry? - “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.” — Luke 1:53-54
How will I respond to God for remembering His mercy toward His hungry children? - “[Jesus said,) ‘Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” — Luke 10:37
What specifically do Jesus’ words, “You go, and do likewise,” mean for me? - “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” — Romans 12:6–8How cheerful am I in my acts of mercy on behalf of the hungry?
- “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16
How confident am I that God’s mercy will always be there for me and for the hungry? - “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13
Where have I seen this precept at work in my life? - “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” — James 3:17
In what ways is showing mercy a sign of wisdom?
Prayer Points for Mercy with Bible Verses
1. “Lord, I come before You, acknowledging my need for Your mercy. Show me compassion, O God, and forgive my sins. Let Your grace abound in my life.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 51:1 (NIV) – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”
2. “Father, in my times of distress, I ask for Your mercy. Be my refuge and strength, and deliver me from all my troubles.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 86:7 (NIV) – “When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.”
3. “Lord, I repent of my wrongdoings and ask for Your mercy. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and restore me to Your favor.”
- Bible Verse:
- 1 John 1:9 (NIV) – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 6:2 (NIV) – “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.”
5. “Father, I seek Your mercy and ask for guidance in all my decisions. Lead me in the path of righteousness and grant me wisdom.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV) – “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
6. “Lord, I lift my family before You and ask for Your mercy upon each member. Protect us, provide for us, and keep us united in love.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 103:17 (NIV) – “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.”
7. “Father, I need Your mercy in my finances. Bless the work of my hands, provide for my needs, and open doors of opportunity.”
- Bible Verse:
- Philippians 4:19 (NIV) – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
8. “Lord, I ask for Your mercy to deliver me from every trap of the enemy. Break every chain and set me free from all bondage.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 34:17 (NIV) – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
9. “Father, let Your mercy bring favor into my life. May I find favor with You and with those around me.”
- Bible Verse:
- Proverbs 3:4 (NIV) – “Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
10. “Lord, I need Your mercy to strengthen me in my weaknesses. Empower me to overcome every challenge I face.”
- Bible Verse:
- Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
11. “God of peace, I ask for Your mercy to calm my heart and mind. Fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding.”
- Bible Verse:
- Philippians 4:7 (NIV) – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
12. “Lord, I ask for Your mercy in my relationships. Help me to love others as You have loved me, and mend any broken relationships.”
- Bible Verse:
- Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
13. “Father, I seek Your mercy and protection over my life. Shield me from harm and keep me safe under Your wings.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 91:4 (NIV) – “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
14. “Lord, in my moments of weakness, I ask for Your mercy. Strengthen me and help me to stand firm in faith.”
- Bible Verse:
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
15. “Father, I ask for Your mercy to bless my efforts with success. Let Your favor rest upon me and prosper the work of my hands.”
- Bible Verse:
- Psalm 90:17 (NIV) – “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
16. “Lord, as You have shown me mercy, help me to extend mercy to others. Give me the grace to forgive those who have wronged me.”
- Bible Verse:
- Matthew 6:14 (NIV) – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
17. “Father, I ask for Your mercy to help me grow spiritually. Draw me closer to You and fill me with the knowledge of Your will.”
- Bible Verse:
- Colossians 1:9 (NIV) – “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
18. “Lord, I ask for Your mercy to grant me patience in difficult times. Help me to wait on You and trust in Your perfect timing.”
- Bible Verse:
- James 1:4 (NIV) – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
19. “Father, I ask for Your mercy to overcome every temptation that comes my way. Strengthen me to resist and stand firm in my faith.”
- Bible Verse:
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
20. “Lord, I need Your mercy to guide me in my daily walk with You. Help me to live a life that honors and pleases You.”
- Bible Verse:
- Micah 6:8 (NIV) – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”