I am a voice, crying for mercy.  I am a voice, crying for mercy.  Crying for love, crying for peace, crying for justice and dying in need.  I am a voice, crying for mercy. 

The lyrics to this song, I Am A Voice (crying for mercy), were inspired by a devotion to the Divine Mercy.  The song was written by Trish Short as the result of the simple cry of a nun from Kenya to this Catholic songwriter to "write a song for the poor and suffering." Perhaps you can use this reflection to examine your own conscience during this Lenten journey. 

I am a child, starving with nothing to eat.  Walk twenty miles, searching for something to drink. 

What do I do when I see the pictures of the malnourished children, or the refugees without food? 

I'm a prisoner in a cell, here it looks a lot like hell.  Isn't anyone listening?  Does anyone care?  Who will answer me? 

Do I listen?  Do I care?  Do I answer? 

A husband, a wife, leaving without making their peace.  When out of the sky, hate stole his life like a thief. 

Do I make peace with everyone I meet? 

In the heart of every man, will the price of freedom stand?  In living to love and dying to give, who will lend a hand? 

Will I? 


Click here to listen to the song. 
Lyrics copyright 2002; Photo by Schalk van Zuydam (AP)

Six prayers to keep on your mind and in your heart for each week of Lent. 

WEEK 1: Lord, as we enter Lent help us to draw near to you in praise, stripping away all that distracts us from worship. Amen. 

WEEK 2: As Jesus resisted temptation by the devil in the wilderness, help us reflect on his faithfulness to God, his rejection of worldly values, and hold these thoughts in our hearts throughout Lent and beyond. Amen. 

WEEK 3: Jesus, you prayed and fasted. As your disciple, teach me about spiritual discipline in my relationship with you. Amen. 

WEEK 4: Lord, may Lent be a time of inward searching that makes me more able to look with compassion at the needs of the world. Amen. 

WEEK 5: Thank you Lord for desert experiences, when being confronted with myself makes me realize my need of you. Amen. 

WEEK 6: Lord, you’ve guided us through the difficult days of Lent, encouraging us along the way. We pray as we move towards the darkest day, that you’ll not forsake us but remind us of our Savior’s ultimate gift and promise of new, abundant, eternal life for all who believe and trust in him, your precious son, Jesus. Amen. 

SOURCE: https://thevalueofsparrows.com/2018/02/19/prayer-six-short-prayers-for-the-lenten-period/