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A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee
A reissue of one of Henri Nouwen's most powerful and most personal books: prayers that reveal a fearful heart, a cry for mercy, rays of hope, the power of the Spirit, the needs of the world, and finally gratitude. In his continuing search for a deeper understanding of the spiritual life, Henri Nouwen traveled twice to the Trappist monastery in the Genesee Valley of upstate New York. His first visit inspired The Genesee Diary, a moving account of his daily experiences and of contemporary monastic life. When he returned five years later, the familiar, comfortable daily rhythms of the contemplative life led him to concentrate his attention on meditation. He disciplined himself to write a prayer each day, an endeavor that became this extraordinary book.
In these daily prayers, Father Nouwen confronts his own inner chaos as he tries to create a space in his heart where God can dwell. Powerful, searching, and painfully honest, Nouwen's prayers, confessions, and petitions point to the final goal of all spiritual life: to live unceasingly in the presence of God. Like The Wounded Healer and The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Cry for Mercy is filled with freshness and insight. It speaks directly to the contemporary Christian's need for a meaningful spirituality, a disciplined inner life, and a real sense of the divine presence in everyday life.
In these daily prayers, Father Nouwen confronts his own inner chaos as he tries to create a space in his heart where God can dwell. Powerful, searching, and painfully honest, Nouwen's prayers, confessions, and petitions point to the final goal of all spiritual life: to live unceasingly in the presence of God. Like The Wounded Healer and The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Cry for Mercy is filled with freshness and insight. It speaks directly to the contemporary Christian's need for a meaningful spirituality, a disciplined inner life, and a real sense of the divine presence in everyday life.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
35 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Henri J.M. Nouwen
453 books2,123 followersHenri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 30, 2021
I love this man
November 12, 2022
Gebeden uit de Stilte is een mooie verzameling van gebeden geschreven door de wijze Henry Nouwen. Het gaf mij inzicht in het feit dat gebeden over alles mogen gaan: dankbaarheid, boosheid, angst, irritatie, lof, onzekerheid, etc. Het was geen levensveranderend boekje, en, zoals Nouwen ook zelf aangeeft aan het einde van het boek, zijn gebeden blijven soms nog ietswat onpersoonlijk. Nouwen benoemt de les ook daarin weer: "In onze angstige en aarzelende woorden wordt zijn onbevangen en richtinggevend Woord geopenbaard." En: "Als mij iets duidelijk geworden is, dan is het dat ík niet kan bidden, maar dat het de Geest van God is die in mij bidt."
October 25, 2022
I have been reading this book for two years. It’s short prayers have been a companion to my prayer in the early hours of the morning. Sometimes daily, sometimes long stretches of not picking it up.
The journey that Nouwen (unknowingly) goes on, which he explains in the epilogue, is a beautiful depiction of a heart ever growing.
I really enjoyed it and will likely pick it up again.
The journey that Nouwen (unknowingly) goes on, which he explains in the epilogue, is a beautiful depiction of a heart ever growing.
I really enjoyed it and will likely pick it up again.
October 8, 2024
This is a short book of prayers, Nouwen write on his second visit to the Genesee. Each is dated and the prayers are provided in date order of his visit.
Like all his works, Nouwen covers the human condition, the joy, the frustration, hurt and longing. It's typically honest and vulnerable which always makes his words with reading.
There are a few prayers that really spoke to my situation and many I didn't really connect with in any deep sense but still enjoyed reading/praying them.
I doubt I'll read it again in its entirety but may refer to some of the individual prayers at some future point.
Like all his works, Nouwen covers the human condition, the joy, the frustration, hurt and longing. It's typically honest and vulnerable which always makes his words with reading.
There are a few prayers that really spoke to my situation and many I didn't really connect with in any deep sense but still enjoyed reading/praying them.
I doubt I'll read it again in its entirety but may refer to some of the individual prayers at some future point.
December 21, 2017
"Rereading these prayers, a year after I wrote them, I now see that my words are no more than walls that surround a silent place."
December 31, 2017
Collection of prayers from Nouwen’s stay at a monastery. Best read slowly and intentionally, taking time to reflect.
January 2, 2018
Masterful! Rich, deep, and meaningful. I feel a special connection to this book as he wrote it while at the Abby of the Genesee. 98%
January 30, 2019
Phenomenal. A book of incredible prayers written by a true saint.
June 22, 2019
Words to pains and feelings I couldn’t express.
February 14, 2020
You have to read it when you’re not distracted.
December 21, 2021
This is another most read book
April 19, 2025
Fr. Nouwen’s follow-up to The Genesee Diary (1976) is not nearly as good as its predecessor. The prayers are provided with minimal contextual detail and are on the whole quite saccharine and cloying.
August 2, 2025
“Those who hunger for your word also receive enough bread to eat. You indeed care for those who have taken the risk to follow you to lonely places.
Deepen and strengthen my trust”
Deepen and strengthen my trust”
November 17, 2015
Read and keep as resource.
Nouwen's contribution in this book are to lead strongly in what humble, spiritually needy prayer can look like. We often dress our prayers with pomp and "should-say" rather than lay out our spiritual brokenness, wrestling with the flesh, insecurity, etc. before the God who expressly listens to the poor in spirit. Caveats aside, Nouwen humbly looks to God knowing that he cannot save himself, and it is Christ alone who may do a saving work in his heart. Furthermore he prays in faith that God listens and answers those kind of requests. This collection can be helpful for any believer to guide his or her own prayers in the same direction.
However, there are two caveats that should be mentioned. Nouwen's Catholic framework and Mystical approach are clearly heard in his prayers. Sadly, these two approaches undermine his confidence in Christ's work on his behalf and amplify his insecurity - and will do the same for all who follow them. At one point Nouwen speaks of his anxiety that he knows and teaches a lot about God but feels a chasm fixed between himself and God. He rightly confesses "You alone, Lord, can reach out to me and save me. You alone." But then adds, "I can only keep trying to be faithful, even though I feel faithless most of the time." Certainly the believer must seek the Lord with all his heart and strive for obedience, yet the issue of faithfulness and rescue are clearly intertwined in his mind. This is evidenced in a later reflection upon the timing of his death and his anxiety in being prepared to stand before God when he says, "I feel that by letting me live a little longer, you reveal your patience, you give me yet another chance to convert myself, you offer me more time to purify my heart. Time is your gift to me." This anxiety could have been vanquished with a right understanding of the gospel and converted into a proper hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
Also throughout the book, Nouwen shows an unhealthy fixation on introspection stemming from the Mystical approach rather than doctrinal meditation upon the revealed truth of Scripture. Security comes not from examining self, but by examining God as God has chosen to reveal Himself. Nouwen himself is aware and even confesses this shortcoming of morbid introspection, so I don't want to be too heavy handed. However, it colors every page of this book. How different an introspective prayer sounds from the worship-oriented prayers recorded in Scripture!
Those issues considered, I was still more encouraged than discouraged in prayer through reading this book and recommend it to anyone who will not be led into the same anxiety-deepening errors Nouwen makes, and instead follows his humble yearning to be transformed and brought near to God through Christ and willingness to confess the ugly reality of their sins without any sugar coating.
Nouwen's contribution in this book are to lead strongly in what humble, spiritually needy prayer can look like. We often dress our prayers with pomp and "should-say" rather than lay out our spiritual brokenness, wrestling with the flesh, insecurity, etc. before the God who expressly listens to the poor in spirit. Caveats aside, Nouwen humbly looks to God knowing that he cannot save himself, and it is Christ alone who may do a saving work in his heart. Furthermore he prays in faith that God listens and answers those kind of requests. This collection can be helpful for any believer to guide his or her own prayers in the same direction.
However, there are two caveats that should be mentioned. Nouwen's Catholic framework and Mystical approach are clearly heard in his prayers. Sadly, these two approaches undermine his confidence in Christ's work on his behalf and amplify his insecurity - and will do the same for all who follow them. At one point Nouwen speaks of his anxiety that he knows and teaches a lot about God but feels a chasm fixed between himself and God. He rightly confesses "You alone, Lord, can reach out to me and save me. You alone." But then adds, "I can only keep trying to be faithful, even though I feel faithless most of the time." Certainly the believer must seek the Lord with all his heart and strive for obedience, yet the issue of faithfulness and rescue are clearly intertwined in his mind. This is evidenced in a later reflection upon the timing of his death and his anxiety in being prepared to stand before God when he says, "I feel that by letting me live a little longer, you reveal your patience, you give me yet another chance to convert myself, you offer me more time to purify my heart. Time is your gift to me." This anxiety could have been vanquished with a right understanding of the gospel and converted into a proper hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
Also throughout the book, Nouwen shows an unhealthy fixation on introspection stemming from the Mystical approach rather than doctrinal meditation upon the revealed truth of Scripture. Security comes not from examining self, but by examining God as God has chosen to reveal Himself. Nouwen himself is aware and even confesses this shortcoming of morbid introspection, so I don't want to be too heavy handed. However, it colors every page of this book. How different an introspective prayer sounds from the worship-oriented prayers recorded in Scripture!
Those issues considered, I was still more encouraged than discouraged in prayer through reading this book and recommend it to anyone who will not be led into the same anxiety-deepening errors Nouwen makes, and instead follows his humble yearning to be transformed and brought near to God through Christ and willingness to confess the ugly reality of their sins without any sugar coating.
March 28, 2021
I always love what Nouwen wrote.
August 15, 2018
A book that improves each time I read it.
May 28, 2012
I love this book, and I've read it every year since 2003. I have a habit of dating the prayers in it as I've read them. My favorite one is titled "Saturday, July 7," and it begins, "Dear Lord, today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: 'It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea ..." I'm usually at the Serra Retreat in Malibu for our Writing Retreat sometime in May or June, and I often sit on the bench beyond the meditation garden, which is high on the hill overlooking the phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean below, so I feel like it was written especially for this event. It ends with "O Lord, sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know that there is ebb and flow but that the sea remains the sea. Amen." This book has been healing for me, and I recommend it to anyone who feels like sinking into contemplation and arising with hope.--Nancy
November 21, 2025
4.5 stars
As I was reading The Return of the Prodigal Son earlier this summer, my husband was reading this book of prayers by Nouwen. there were a couple of mornings when he’d read something aloud to me and I knew this would be my next contemplative nonfiction pick. I had to force myself to go slowly through this because each of the prayers is only a page or two long. It would have been easy to zip through this without giving it a whole lot of thought. Instead, I read only 1-2 prayers per day, often reading them more than once and letting the author’s words simmer in my soul.
Nouwen writes with such consideration and care for the world—its horrors and heartaches, its joys and beauty. I found these prayers to be reflections of some of my own wrestling with God, questions about pain, and searching for significance.
As always, Nouwen’s writing makes me move toward deeper prayer and thoughtfulness in my own relationship with God.
As I was reading The Return of the Prodigal Son earlier this summer, my husband was reading this book of prayers by Nouwen. there were a couple of mornings when he’d read something aloud to me and I knew this would be my next contemplative nonfiction pick. I had to force myself to go slowly through this because each of the prayers is only a page or two long. It would have been easy to zip through this without giving it a whole lot of thought. Instead, I read only 1-2 prayers per day, often reading them more than once and letting the author’s words simmer in my soul.
Nouwen writes with such consideration and care for the world—its horrors and heartaches, its joys and beauty. I found these prayers to be reflections of some of my own wrestling with God, questions about pain, and searching for significance.
As always, Nouwen’s writing makes me move toward deeper prayer and thoughtfulness in my own relationship with God.
August 30, 2015
I've been running into Henri Nouwen's words for a while now. So much so that it seemed past time to actually pick up a book by the man himself.
"A Cry for Mercy" is ostensibly a prayer journal, but it comes off more as prayer journey. Not only through six months of the author's life at a monastery, but through the idea of prayer itself. The epilogue alone is worth the read. Nouwen offers a view of prayer both new and familiar. Talking, praising, crying out to God, yet belying deeper currents. The hidden movements of soul and Creator. This is the lesson of Genesee. Beautiful and profound.
"A Cry for Mercy" is ostensibly a prayer journal, but it comes off more as prayer journey. Not only through six months of the author's life at a monastery, but through the idea of prayer itself. The epilogue alone is worth the read. Nouwen offers a view of prayer both new and familiar. Talking, praising, crying out to God, yet belying deeper currents. The hidden movements of soul and Creator. This is the lesson of Genesee. Beautiful and profound.
April 1, 2015
I read this book on a retreat at the Abbey of the Genesee where Nouwen wrote these prayers. It was a fitting companion book for my retreat. Over the course of 2-3 days, I went on a miniature journey with him - together we went on a journey with Him. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to honestly explore the inward landscapes of the heart and the steady transformation that comes through Christ.
January 8, 2016
This book has brought me to my knees and brought me to tears more times than I can count. When I first opened it, I started reading the first prayer aloud to myself, and I was stunned by how much it moved me. Reading Nouwen's incredibly honest and real prayers has been powerful and humbling and I have loved reading through this one. Each page is underlined and starred and I keep rereading lines over and over because I love the way they flow and beckon me to pour my heart out to my Father.
April 19, 2009
I waas given this copy and have loved it! Great short readings and a good devotional book.
January 5, 2013
I run into books like I ran into this one.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews