Lord Have Mercy
The Story Behind The Song
by Debra Akins
Fueled by the confrontation between truth and his own weaknesses, Steve Merkel's powerful song is
not only a cry of repentance and surrender, but a musical bridge between past and present.
Steve Merkel's vision for seeing church denominations come together in a singular understanding of
the worship experience was the powerful catalyst behind his simple but powerful cry, "Lord Have
Mercy." Several years ago, while overseeing the creative planning for a series of music projects called
Renewal Music, Merkel developed a fresh perspective on worship in the contemporary church.
" It was a deep heart calling for me, as it was an attempt to offer a fresh stream of worship music for
the Catholic and other liturgical streams of our Christian faith," he says. "While I'm not a practicing
Catholic, I have been blessed with many rich relationships that have given me much appreciation for
the ancient path and a vision for blending liturgy with our contemporary culture. My heart's desire has
been to be a bridge builder and to "cross pollinate" among these deep rivers in the Church. "
As Merkel began to put things in motion for the last Renewal Music release, Intimate Worship, he was
working closely with David Kauffman, a close Catholic friend. Merkel was intrigued when Kauffman
shared how easily he could spot the Catholic songs and the Protestant songs.
" He said the Catholic songs were much more like, 'Lord I believe... help my unbelief,' and 'Lord, I'm
not worthy, but say the word and I will be healed,'" Merkel shares. "But the Protestant songs were
much akin to, 'Boldly, we come into your presence.'
As Merkel pondered this distinction, his own corporate worship perspective was challenged, his
experience, broadened.
During this time, Merkel also had a real passion to see the Church to come together in prayer and
worship, in part for the purpose of reflection and repentance.
" Somehow, during the intersection of these thoughts and forces, I began writing 'Lord Have Mercy,'
says Merkel. "It started with a musical progression that had been brooding in my spirit, and it was
fueled by truths and my own perceived weaknesses: 'Jesus, the things you have promised me so long
ago still have not happened. I still believe, but I'm struggling. Forgive me Lord, because I really would
like to try to believe in Your word one more time. God I know that you are not surprised by my
humanity. I do sin, and I do miss the mark. In fact, I have pursued things that are not of You. I have
truly made worldly altars and followed the wisdom of man.' "
At the heart of his prayer was the desperate need to acknowledge of his own humanity and
weaknesses before God. While that isn't a new idea for anyone seeking a deeper relationship with
God, Merkel questions whether we regularly put honest confession and repentance into practice in our
own, contemporary worship setting.
" I believe that there is an amazing intersection at the cross," he says. "It is where the truth of our sin
and the unending mercy of God meet. It is where we have to come face to face with our sin, repent,
and then find reconciliation with God through Christ. I believe that it is a part of liturgy that is missing
form our normal worship services in the denominational church. We offer forgiveness to the 'lost,' but if
you have been a believer for some time, you end up burying the fact that we struggle and are human
and need to come to the cross again.
" It seems to me that God would rather have us come to Him in truth... one more time, rather than
covering things over to put on a false façade. As I wrote 'Lord Have Mercy,' I wrote out of real heart
issues with the hope that it might be a seed of inspiration and utility for the church to come to terms
and allow their members to 'be human.' We are all there, and that is why we need and have such a
great Savior. Let's come back to the foot of the cross where we can find grace in time of need, and
then move on to a world who longs to know this same love. "
" Lord Have Mercy" has appeared on Integrity's Intimate Worship and Come Heal this Land (with
worship leader Robin Mark). Most recently, Eoghan Heaslip has recorded it on his album Mercy,
recorded live in Ireland. Steve Merkel is an active worship leader at his local church in Mobile,
Alabama where he resides with his wife and four daughters. As a Director of A&R at Integrity Music,
Steve has overseen the creative production of projects such as Revival in Belfast, Jerusalem Arise,
Shout to the Lord Kids and Renewal Music's Intimate Worship. In addition to "Lord Have Mercy,"
Steve has written a number of well-known songs such as "I Worship You," "More of You," "Lord You
Are Good," and "Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall. "