One-Minute Works of Mercy

Meg Herriot offers a reminder that works of mercy don't have to be time-consuming — and often don't even require us to leave the house. 

Sometimes it’s hard to see the time and opportunity in our lives for Works of Mercy. I remember being a mom to a little and sometimes just changing the diaper or getting up in the middle of the night seemed like about all my body and spirit could give. I had been very active with all sorts of ministries before I got married (perhaps a little too scattered with my time, but I digress). Sometimes, we are stuck at home recuperating, or just struggling to get by, and it seems like we don’t have the opportunity for works of mercy, other than the most important ones that begin with our family.

God accepts us where we are, and with full knowledge of our capabilities and challenges, He multiplies the small gifts we are able to give.

Here are some suggestions for “minute mercies.”

Invoke the Holy Name of Jesus

Whether it’s the painter who messed up (and you are reminded of it when you look at your walls), or someone who you have a bigger grievance with, whenever you think of someone who has hurt you or a loved one, repeat three times: “In the Holy Name of Jesus I forgive (NAME) and I ask the Lord to bless them.” This can be difficult. It can also provide a lot of healing. This can help turn our heart, and it can help change their lives.

Ask God to Guide Someone

When a driver in traffic does something unwise or unkind: “Lord, I don’t know what they are going through, but obviously they need Your help today,” or whatever prayer you like.

Pray for Divine Intervention in a Crisis

When you see an ambulance/fire truck go by, say a short prayer or Hail Mary for the victims and the first responders. I will try to pray the prayers of Divine Mercy when I go by a cemetery. I will also say prayers (the Saint Michael prayer or Divine Mercy Chaplet) if I drive by an adult shop or fortuneteller.

Pray for Someone's Soul

When a deceased person comes to mind (even if it’s a distant acquaintance), say a prayer for their soul. For a while, a man named Ken, who was barely an acquaintance of mine (and was not Catholic and had no surviving family) kept coming into my mind and I’m sure it was an angel nudge from his or mine. Hopefully my remembrance of him in my prayers were of benefit. If someone from your past — a teacher or friend, for example — comes to mind, remember to say a quick prayer for their soul, even if all you have time for is “May perpetual light shine upon them, and may they rest in peace.”

Pray Silently When You Overhear Problems

If you are in the grocery store or out running errands and you overhear a conversation or snippet of someone discussing a problem or family issue, pray silently for that situation.

Offer It Up

Offering up can sometimes be the long-forgotten Catholic gift. Whether it’s something big or small, every hardship is something that can be offered up. I’ve gotten more into the habit of this (I guess that’s what the aches and pains of age do). I found myself exclaiming when I sprained the opposite ankle (exactly 1 year and 4 days after I had sprained the other one, requiring surgery) screaming, “Not today, Satan! This is going to get some serious souls out of Purgatory.” It actually caused me to laugh a little as I writhed in pain. And it made that hardship a little easier to bear.

Give Yourself Mercy

There is also giving yourself mercy; check out Lindsey Metzel’s article on Practicing Divine Mercy as Mothers; she discusses more ways to practice mercy in your motherhood.

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Copyright 2026 Meg Herriot
Images: Canva