# Prayer for Mercy for the Whole World and the Return of the Kidnapped Franciscan Father
*2015-07-09*

> Bill Young leads a prayer asking God’s mercy for all humanity and specifically for the safe return of a Franciscan priest kidnapped in Syria.

## Opening

Good morning. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer and Lunch podcast. Today we’re offering a special prayer for mercy for the whole world, and we’ll also lift up the Franciscan priest who was abducted in Syria on July 4.

## Why We Pray

While many of us in the United States were celebrating Independence Day with parties and dinners, people on the other side of the world are suffering kidnapping and torture. We ask God’s blessing for the safe return of the Franciscan father and for peace in Syria.

## The Prayer

O greatly merciful God, infinite goodness, today all humankind cries out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy and compassion. Gracious God, do not reject the prayers of this earth’s exiles. Lord, whose goodness is beyond our understanding, You are acquainted with our suffering. By our own power we cannot reach You, so we implore You. Fill us with Your grace and increase Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will throughout our lives and at the hour of death. Let the steadfastness of Your mercy shield us from the thoughts of our own salvation and from our enemies, that we may, as Your children, await Your final coming with confidence. That day is known to You alone, and we trust in the promises given to us by Jesus, despite our recklessness. For Jesus is our hope, through His merciful heart, and through the open gate of His love we may pass into heaven. Amen.

## Closing Petition

We also pray for the protection of all who serve in dangerous places, especially those in the armed forces and missionaries.

*May God’s boundless mercy reach every corner of the world and bring the kidnapped priest safely home.*