5 wounds of jesus prayer 5 Reasons To Pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet

5 Reasons To Pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet

The feast of Divine Mercy is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter and is associated with the prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a pious practice revealed to the Polish St. Maria Faustina Kowalska by Jesus himself that has spread throughout the world.

While Catholics are not required to believe private revelations, the Church often encourages the practices associated with those that she approves, such as St. Faustina’s Divine Mercy revelations. 

There are five main reasons to offer this prayer, as Inés Mery, a volunteer with the Divine Mercy Foundation’s shrine in Chile, explained to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

1. It develops an attitude of trust.

Jesus appeared to St. Faustina on Sept. 13-14, 1935, in Vilnius, then in Poland, and asked her to make his mercy known through the dissemination of an image of himself bearing the inscription “Jesus, I trust in you” that he showed to her and also through the establishment of the feast of Divine Mercy and the recitation of the chaplet.

People who pray this chaplet offer to God the Father “the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity” of Jesus Christ “in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. By joining themselves to the sacrifice of Jesus, they appeal to this love with which God the Father loves his Son and in him all people,” Mery explained.

“This prayer asks for ‘mercy for us and the whole world’ in an attitude of trust,” she added.

In this way, “by fulfilling the conditions that must characterize every good prayer (humility, perseverance, submission to the will of God), the faithful can expect the fulfillment of the promises of Christ that refer especially to the hour of death: the grace of conversion and a peaceful death,” the volunteer noted.

Jesus told St. Faustina: “The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by my mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death” (diary, 754) and that “by saying the chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to me” (diary, 929).

2. Extraordinary graces are obtained.

Jesus told St. Faustina: “My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases me to grant everything they ask of me by saying the chaplet” (diary, 1541).

“Say the chaplet that I have taught you,” because “through the chaplet, you will obtain everything if what you ask for is compatible with my will” (diary, 1731).

“The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by my mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death” (diary, 754). 

“At the hour of their death, I defend as my own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God’s anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of my tender mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful passion of my Son” (diary, 811).

“Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from my infinite mercy” (diary, 687), Jesus promised.

3. It’s a personal and community prayer.

The chaplet is intended to be prayed both in community and individually.

Thus “saying ‘we’ refers both to the person who prays the chaplet and to all those for whom it is prayed; by saying the ‘whole world’ we mean that we pray for both the living and the dead,” Mery explained.

When reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet, “Jesus asks us to implore mercy ‘for us,’ thus teaching us to combat selfishness in prayer (not praying for oneself only) and thus making the Divine Mercy prayer an act of sacrificial love,” Mery said.

When we pray the chaplet, she explained, “we join Christ’s sacrifice on the cross in which he offered himself for our salvation. When reciting the words ‘Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,’ we do so by virtue of the love that God the Father has for his Son, and in him, for all men. Thus, we have recourse to the greatest reason to be heard by God.”

4. It only takes five minutes.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed with a rosary. It begins with the Sign of the Cross and then by praying an Our Father, a Hail Mary and the Apostles’ Creed.

Then, at the beginning of each decade, pray: “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

On the Hail Mary beads, say 10 times: “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

At the end of the five decades, pray three times “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” You can also add: “O Blood and Water that gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us, I trust in you,” “St. Faustina, pray for us,” and “St. John Paul II, pray for us.”

5. You can pray at any time.

The chaplet can be prayed at any time. “Sometimes people mistakenly believe that you have to pray it at 3 p.M., but Jesus did not ask for that,” Mery clarified.

“Three in the afternoon, which is the hour of great mercy, is directed to the Son, Jesus Christ, to contemplate him in his passion.” On the other hand, she explained, “the chaplet is directed to God the Father.”

“What can be done and is done in various Divine Mercy shrines is that at 3 in the afternoon, the passion of Christ is contemplated for a moment, and then the chaplet is prayed,” she explained.

“At whatever time the chaplet is prayed, the important thing,” Mery noted, “is to understand that in this prayer we ask the Father to look at us through the wounds of his Son, Jesus, and so that by looking at us through the wounds of his Son, he won’t treat us as our sins deserve but treat us according to his great goodness and mercy.”

St. Faustina wrote: “I saw a great radiance and, in the midst of it, God the Father. Between this radiance and the earth I saw Jesus, nailed to the cross in such a way that when God wanted to look at the earth, he had to look through the wounds of Jesus. And I understood that it was for the sake of Jesus that God blesses the earth”  (diary, 60).

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA and edited by the Register.

Daily Prayer To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

O sacred heart of Jesus, mercifully accept the prayer which I now make to you for help in the moment of my death, when at its approach all my senses shall fail me.

When, therefore, O kind and merciful Jesus, my weary and downcast eyes can no longer look up to you, be mindful of the loving gaze which I now turn to you, and have mercy on me, a sinner.

When my parched lips can no longer kiss your most sacred wounds, remember that hour those kisses which I now imprint on you, and have mercy on me, a sinner.

When my cold hands can no longer embrace your cross, forget not the affection with which I embrace it now, and have mercy upon me, a sinner.  When my swollen and lifeless tongue can no longer speak, remember that I called upon you now, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to you I commend my soul.

O sacred heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude and pierced by my many sins and yet loving you still, accept this act of consecration that I make to you of all that I am and all that I have.  Take every faculty of my soul and body, draw me day by day near and nearer to your sacred heart, and there, as I can bear the lesson, teach me your blessed way.

O sacred heart of Jesus, incarnate son of God, Who for our salvation did vouchsafe to be born in a stable, to pass your life in poverty, trials, and misery, and to die amid the sufferings of the cross, I entreat you, in the hour of my death to say to your divine father, "Father forgive him"; Say to my soul, "This day you to shall be with Me in Paradise." My God, my God forsake me not in that hour.  "I thirst"--truly, my God, my soul thirsts after you, who are the fountain of living waters.  My life passes like a shadow; yet a little while and all will be consummated. Wherefore, my adorable savior, from this moment, and for all eternity, "into Your hands I commend my spirit."  Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

O queen of the holy rosary and most kind and loving mother of perpetual help, in memory of your seven sorrows, intercede for us with your divine son and beg him, in honor of his precious blood and sacred passion and death upon the cross, to forgive our sins and grant us the grace of a holy and happy death. Amen.

(Say one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.)

14 Reasons Why Christians Should Believe In Divine Healing

By Joseph Mattera, Op-ed Contributor Thursday, April 25, 2024 iStock/Anastasiia StiahailoiStock/Anastasiia Stiahailo

Some individuals within the church mistakenly align the doctrine of physical healing with the so-called "prosperity gospel." While I challenge the tenets of the "prosperity gospel," it's crucial to acknowledge that God's willingness to bestow physical and material blessings upon us stems from His inherent goodness. The real contention with the prosperity gospel lies not in denying God's desire to enrich our lives physically and financially but in the problematic perspective it promotes: pursuing God not for His essence but for the benefits He provides. True faith prioritizes seeking the Giver of blessings, not merely the blessings themselves.

The following are ten reasons why I believe Christians should believe in divine healing:

1.  Divine healings and miracles are part of the global expansion of Christianity

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Scholars and theologians who have moved away from cessationism, believing that spiritual gifts like prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostolic age, often do so in light of empirical evidence of the church's growth and the manifestation of signs and wonders. This is particularly true in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Observations of the dynamic development of Christianity in these regions, often accompanied by reports of miracles, healings, and other signs and wonders, challenge the cessationist viewpoint. Scholars who value empirical evidence must recognize the widespread reports of supernatural activities in these vibrant Christian communities.

Contextual Theology:

Witnessing the ongoing spiritual phenomena, some scholars have revisited biblical texts to explore the possibility that cessationism may not be a biblically warranted stance. Their studies often lead to a more continuationist view that the gifts of the Spirit are available and active today.

Also, the explosive growth of Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in these regions, known for their emphasis on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts, provides a compelling narrative of Christianity's expressions of power evangelism.

Untold multiple thousands of cases documented healings and miracles.  These specific instances challenge cessationism:

Finally, some scholars and theologians have shifted their views based on personal encounters or firsthand accounts of spiritual gifts in action within these global contexts. Witnessing the transformative impact of such ministries has led some to reconsider their stance on the cessation of spiritual gifts. These factors contribute to reevaluating cessationism, especially as Christianity continues flourishing in contexts where signs and wonders are reported as part of the church's growth and ministry.

2.  The word “salvation” implies within it physical healing

In the Bible, salvation is often presented as a comprehensive term encompassing spiritual redemption and restoration in all areas of life, including physical well-being (Luke 1:69-71).

The Greek word for salvation, "sōzō," used in the New Testament, can mean: to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, and to heal.

James 5:15 says the prayer of faith will “save” the sick. The same Greek word, “Sosei," is the word for “saving” a soul from death in James 5:20.

3.  The disciples pointed to physical healings to prove Christ rose from the dead

The miraculous healings served not just as a testament to the resurrection's power but also as significant markers of the dawning Messianic age and the imminent restoration of creation in every dimension, encapsulating the assurance of renewed physical well-being as depicted in Acts 4:1-14. If the apostles underscored physical miracles as evidence of Christ's resurrection, how could one argue that such manifestations are irrelevant to impactful evangelism in our time?

4.  Jesus never turned anyone away who needed physical healing

Jesus assured us that He would never reject anyone who approaches Him (John 6:37), and according to Luke 6:18-19, individuals sought Him out both to listen to His teachings and to receive healing from their afflictions. Remarkably, He "healed them all." Not once do the Gospel narratives record an instance where Jesus refused healing to those who came to Him seeking it.

5.  The scriptures connect the atonement with physical healing

Some scholars see a connection between the gospel and physical healing through passages like Isaiah 53:5, which states, "By his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrow.” This was interpreted in Matthew 8:17 as: “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Furthermore, Jesus said that He could prove His ability to forgive sins by healing a paralytic man (Matthew 9:6-7.) Psalm 103:3 even connects forgiveness with physical healing when it says “who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.”

According to Dr. Michael Brown, “Isaiah 53:5 strategically joins peša‘, ‘awon, šalôm, and rapa’ -- transgression, iniquity, well-being, and healing: The servant’s sufferings would produce complete restoration for his sin-sick people.” Indeed, Jesus implied that healing was “the children’s bread” (Matthew 15:26-28).

6.  Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous instances of divine healing throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, we see accounts of miraculous healings performed by prophets like Elijah and Elisha, demonstrating God's power to heal various ailments. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ performed countless healings, restoring sight to the blind, enabling the lame to walk, and curing various diseases. Furthermore, Jesus instructed his disciples to heal the sick and cast out demons in his name, emphasizing the importance of divine healing as a manifestation of God's kingdom on earth.

7. Personal Testimonies

Countless Christians worldwide have experienced firsthand the transformative power of divine healing in their lives. Our local churchwas built in the 1980s through a combination of evangelism and seeing God miraculously heal many.  Through prayer, faith, and the laying on of hands, many individuals have been healed of physical illnesses, emotional wounds, and spiritual afflictions. These personal testimonies are powerful reminders of God's faithfulness and compassion towards his people. By sharing these stories of healing and restoration, believers can inspire others to trust in God's ability to bring about miraculous healing in their own lives and communities.

8. Jesus said healing is an expression of God’s goodness

In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus identified healing as an act of goodness and a means of saving lives. Furthermore, Acts 10:38 portrays the ministry of healing as a manifestation of divine goodness. Therefore, numerous scholars and theologians contend that the depiction of God in the Scriptures as good, as it relates to divine healing, underpins the belief that physical healing is a deliberate component of His saving action since it aligns with His goodness as an expression of His divine will. Since Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever, we should expect Him to continue to express His goodness through divine healing (Hebrews 13:7).

9. Jesus healed to express His compassion

Some people say that Jesus only healed to prove His divinity. However, when He healed the leper, He was motivated by His compassion (Mark 1:40-44). Also, in some instances, He even commanded those healed not to share what happened but to go home (Mark 1:44).

10. Limiting the atonement to spiritual healing is a form of Gnosticism

The notion that God is indifferent to our material well-being is rooted in “semi-Gnosticism,” an influence stemming from Greek thought, which rigorously divided the world into distinct categories, undervaluing the material realm and the physical body in favor of spiritual matters. This viewpoint was deemed heretical compared to the Hebrew tradition, which embraced a holistic view of human existence—integrating spirit, soul, and body—thereby never divorcing physical well-being from spiritual blessing (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This comprehensive perspective on spiritual and physical health was even reflected in a common benediction among early Christians, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2), highlighting the interconnectedness of our material and spiritual lives.

11. Jesus connected divine healing with preaching the gospel

Jesus’ ministry was characterized by both preaching the gospel and healing the sick, illustrating that physical healing was a significant aspect of the Kingdom of God’s in-breaking reality (Matthew 4:23-24). This is why Jesus commanded the disciples to preach the gospel and heal the sick. “He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal…” (Luke 9:2). He told the 70, “Whenever you enter a town, and they receive you, eat what is set before you, heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” (Luke 10:8-9)

12. Jesus’s healing expressed God the Father’s will

After Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, “My Father is working until now and I am also working” (John 5:17). He also said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus was the exact expression of the Father’s character and nature to the point in which He said, “if you have seen me you have seen the Father” (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:3). Hence, when He healed everyone who came to Him, He was expressing the fact that healing is the general will of God.

13. Divine healing is a Testament to God’s Unchanging Nature.

The Scripture affirms that God does not change and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). If we see God’s healing power at work in the Bible, it stands to reason that He continues to heal today because His nature and character remain unchanged.

14. It encourages believers in their faith

In my experience, divine healing is an extraordinary means to elevate corporate and individual faith. Experiencing or witnessing divine healing can uplift one’s faith, encouraging a deeper trust in God and His provisions. This aspect of healing highlights its value as a physical remedy and as a spiritual catalyst, promoting spiritual growth, increasing reliance on God, and fostering a more intimate relationship with Him. In this way, divine healing serves a dual purpose: it addresses immediate physical needs and nurtures long-term spiritual development.

Some common arguments challenging the concept of divine healing include the following:

Arguments often include questions like, “If you believe in God’s healing power, why not empty all hospitals?” or “Why aren’t all individuals who are prayed for healed?” These inquiries, however, overlook the complexity of healing’s integration with atonement. A similar line of questioning could be applied to salvation: “Why isn’t everyone preached to instantly saved?” or “Why can’t a preacher bring salvation to an entire stadium of people at once?” These questions highlight the nuanced nature of both salvation and healing. Some argue that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12 was a physical ailment. Yet, contextually, it appears more as a metaphor for a “messenger of Satan” causing disturbances, such as riots and hardships, akin to Old Testament descriptions of adversaries as “thorns.”

This does not imply that illness equates to being out of God’s will or sin, just as emotional or mental distress does not. Many Christians live fulfilling lives despite physical disabilities, achieving great things not because of but despite their conditions.

The interplay of salvation and accompanying physical healing is complex, involving factors like forgiveness (Mark 11:24), the collective faith of a community (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), personal belief (Matthew 9:27-31; Mark 9:23), individual openness to healing (John 5:6), and God’s sovereign will and timing for His ultimate purpose and glory.

The Book of Job and John 9:1-7 illustrate that God’s reasons for allowing suffering and the timing of healing are often beyond human comprehension, aimed at revealing divine truths or to manifest His glory. This underscores the importance of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit when praying for healing and discerning underlying issues for more effective ministry.

Finally, while God generally desires health for us, the manifestation of healing is a divine mystery influenced by a myriad of human and spiritual variables. The promise of a lifespan (Psalm 90:10) does not preclude God’s sovereign decision to allow departures from this earthly life for reasons within His omniscience.

Dr. Joseph Mattera is an internationally-known author, consultant, and theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence culture. He is the founding pastor of Resurrection Church, and leads several organizations, including The U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and Christ Covenant Coalition.

To order his books or to join the many thousands who subscribe to his newsletter, go to josephmattera.Org