The headlines are terrible. Everywhere you look there are natural disasters, political and social unrest, a sense of disorientation and of things spiraling out of control. Often when we pray we feel less and less certain of how to pray — the words come jumbled, or fail outright.
Interiorly, we cry out, “Lord, help! Have mercy!” The less mannerly among us might add, “We’re crying ‘Uncle’ over here!”
Which is another way of saying “Have mercy on me.” Or, “Have mercy on us, and on the whole world!”
It’s a good prayer.
Recently at Adoration, those sentiments, brought before Christ Jesus, Truly Present, poured out in a ragtag sort of litany that seemed to combine the Jesus Prayer and the words of the Divine Mercy prayer, words from both of which I used interchangeably throughout, inhaling with the Name, exhaling with the plea for mercy.
It was a calling out for mercy to the Holy Name, in all of its forms and varieties, and it was simple, but it led into a deep sense of contemplation and consolation. Perhaps it will for you, as well.
Litany of the Holy Names of Jesus, All Mercy
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, and on the whole world.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, poor sinners.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…
Christ Jesus, Logos, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Christ Jesus, Word of the Father, have mercy on us, and on the whole world.
Christ Jesus, Assent Come Forth from the Creator, have mercy on us, poor sinners.
Christ Christ Jesus, Without Whom There Is Nothing… (have mercy…)
Christ Jesus, Light in the Darkness, Never Overcome… (John 1:1-4) (have mercy…)
Christ Jesus, Incarnate of Mary…(have mercy…)
Christ Jesus, Dwelling with Us…
Christ Jesus, Emmanu-el; God-with-Us…
Christ Jesus, Son of God, Son of Mary…
Christ Jesus, New Adam…
Christ Jesus, Savior of the World…
Christ Jesus, Bread of Life…
Christ Jesus, Laid in a Manger…
Christ Jesus, Promised Redeemer…
Christ Jesus, Sign and Contradiction…
Christ Jesus, Teacher of Teachers…
Christ Jesus, Wonderful Counselor…
Christ Jesus, Image of the Invisible God…
Christ Jesus, Firstborn of All Creation…
Christ Jesus, Alpha and Omega…
Christ Jesus, Who IS…
Christ Jesus, Who WAS…
Christ Jesus, Who Is to Come..
Christ Jesus, Lord of All…
Christ Jesus, the Way…
Christ Jesus, Before All Things…
Christ Jesus, In Whom All Things Hold Together…
Christ Jesus, Orienter of the World…
Christ Jesus, All Creation…
Christ Jesus, All Restoration…
Christ Jesus, All Good…
Christ Jesus, All Truth…
Christ Jesus, All Life…
Christ Jesus, All Justice…
Christ Jesus, All Grace…
Christ Jesus, Defeater of Demons…
Christ Jesus, Faithful Friend…
Christ Jesus, Welcomer of Children…
Christ Jesus, Consolation of Women…
Christ Jesus, Model for Mankind…
Christ Jesus, Head of the Body, the Church…
Christ Jesus, Healer of the Meek…
Christ Jesus, Calmer of Fevers…
Christ Jesus, Good Shepherd…
Christ Jesus, Living Wine…
Christ Jesus, Receiver of All…
Christ Jesus, Infinity of Compassion…
Christ Jesus, Reconciler of all Things…
Christ Jesus, Holy Door…
Christ Jesus, Great Rabbi and High Priest…
Christ Jesus, Desire of the Everlasting Hills…
Christ Jesus, Font of Mercy…
Christ Jesus, Lord of Light…
Christ Jesus, Prompter of Prodigals…
Christ Jesus, Namer of Names…
Christ Jesus, Portal of Mercy…
Christ Jesus, Great Challenger…
Christ Jesus, Beloved Teacher…
Christ Jesus, Living Water…
Christ Jesus, Food of Multitudes…
Christ Jesus, Deliverer of Self…
Christ Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath…
Christ Jesus, Son of David…
Christ Jesus, Holy One of God…
Christ Jesus, Strong Arm of Jacob
Christ Jesus, Wealth of the Poor…
Christ Jesus, Defender of the Oppressed…
Christ Jesus, Purity of Purpose…
Christ Jesus, Presenter of the Keys…
Christ Jesus, All Beauty…
Christ Jesus, All Holiness…
Christ Jesus, Giver of the Holy Ghost…
Christ Jesus, Crossbearer…
Christ Jesus, Suffering Servant…
Christ Jesus, Friend Betrayed…
Christ Jesus, All Forgiveness…
Christ Jesus, Bread of Angels…
Christ Jesus, Divine Bridegroom…
Christ Jesus, Consummation of the New Covenant…
Christ Jesus, Defeater of Death…
Christ Jesus, Great Revelation of All…
Christ Jesus, Power of God…
Christ Jesus, All Wisdom…
Christ Jesus, Prince of Peace…
Christ Jesus, King of Kings…
Christ Jesus, Majesty of Heaven…
Christ Jesus, King of Glory…
Christ Jesus, Messiah, Present…
Christ Jesus, Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Christ Jesus, Holy One…
Christ Jesus, Mighty One…
Christ Jesus, Immortal One…
Have mercy on us, and on the whole world.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Read more:
3 Words that can help form our prayer at Eucharistic Adoration
Read more:
Praying the Jesus Prayer: Mercy with every breath