The Divine Mercy prayer is primarily based on the eternal mercy of God. Our merciful father loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son, so that by trusting in Jesus we could have eternal life. Let us explore the biblical basis of Divine Mercy!

Jesus instructed St Faustina: “Paint an image according to the pattern you see with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You… I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish” (Diary, 47). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). Through the devotion of the Divine Mercy we encounter the merciful savior and by trusting in his infinite mercy we obtain eternal life.

The image of Divine Mercy consists of Jesus with one hand outstretched in blessing and the other hand positioned on the wound caused by the spear. Rays of red and blue light emanate from this wound illuminating the darkness. In John chapter 19:34 : “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” The blood and water signify the red and blue rays proceeding from the wound of Jesus. In St. Faustina’s Diary, Jesus explains the meaning behind these two essential elements. Jesus says, “The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls ...” (Diary, 299). 

In the Divine Mercy Chaplet we say the prayer, “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!” (Diary, 84). The scripture passage which resonates with this Divine Mercy prayer is in 1 John 5:6  “This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood.”

The main prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet is “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“ (Diary 476). The scriptural reference of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice can be found in Ephesians 5:2 which says “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Jesus Christ made atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world can be found in 1 John 2: 1-2 “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus told St Faustina this “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). May the Almighty enfold you in His love and mercy!