Pray with Unfailing Trust in God’s Merciful Love

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI said at the General Audience in Saint Peter’s Square on May 18, 2011 :

“... We now turn to Sacred Scripture and its witness to the dialogue between God and man in history, a dialogue culminating in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We can begin with the prayer with which Abraham, the father of all believers (cf. Romans 4), implores God not to destroy the sinful city of Sodom (cf. Genesis 18). Abraham’s prayer of intercession appeals to God’s justice, begging him not to destroy the innocent with the guilty. But it also appeals to God’s mercy, which is capable of transforming evil into good through forgiveness and reconciliation. God does not desire the death of the sinner but his conversion and liberation from sin. In reply to Abraham’s prayer, God is willing to spare Sodom if ten righteous men can be found there. Later, through the prophet Jeremiah, he promises to pardon Jerusalem if one just man can be found (cf. Jeremiah 5:1). In the end, God himself becomes that Just Man, in the mystery of the Incarnation. Christ’s prayer of intercession on the Cross brings salvation to the world. Through him, let us pray with unfailing trust in God’s merciful love for all mankind, conscious that our prayers will be heard and answered.”

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20110518_en.

  

Let us pray for the conversion of hearts, freedom from sin, and God's abundant mercy for all humanity.  May the evil which abounds in our world be transformed into good.  May our Risen Lord intercede for all who "know not what they do."