Lord Have Mercy

About Lord Have Mercy

Life is messy, but God's mercy is greater. Join Whitney Merritt for honest conversations about faith, redemption, and the ways God meets us in our hardest moments. Through real stories of struggle, healing, and hope, each episode explores the beauty of God's grace in everyday life. Whether you're walking through a difficult season or simply looking for encouragement, you'll be reminded that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Where have you seen the mercy of God in your life?

Publisher

Whitney Merritt

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jun 2026

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026

   God Writes The Best Stories: Through Foster Care & Adoption | Ashley Newman

   What happens when you say yes to God without knowing where that yes will lead? This week on Lord Have Mercy, I’m joined by my dear friend Ashley Newman, whose journey through foster care and adoption is one of the most beautiful stories of God’s faithfulness I’ve had the privilege of witnessing. Before Ashley and her husband, Jacob, ever had biological children, they knew God was calling them to foster. They opened their home expecting older children, but God had a different plan. What followed was a journey of unexpected placements, three children who became their own, devastating goodbyes, months of grief, and a phone call that changed everything. Ashley shares what it was like to love children without knowing if they would stay, to trust God through a system she couldn’t control, and to experience the incredible joy of welcoming those same children home again. We also talk about the beauty and heartbreak of foster care, the road to adoption, and the importance of saying yes to God’s invitations—even when we don’t have all the answers. Ashley offers a powerful reminder that fostering doesn’t have to be a lifelong commitment to make an eternal impact. Sometimes God is simply asking us to be faithful with what’s right in front of us. In this episode, we talk about: How Ashley knew she was called to foster before marriage The unexpected yes that led to her three children The heartbreak of reunification and learning to trust God through loss The unforgettable phone call that brought her children back home Going from zero to six children and eventually becoming a forever family God’s faithfulness in the details and timing of adoption Why foster care isn’t the only way to support vulnerable children Trusting God with the next step instead of needing the whole plan Whether you’ve considered foster care, walked through unexpected loss, or simply wondered what God might be asking of you, this conversation is a reminder that you never know what God might do with your yes. 🎧 Listen now to Lord Have Mercy and be encouraged by a story only God could write.

2. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Worship: The Soundtrack Of My Walk With Jesus | Whitney Merritt

   In my very first solo episode of Lord Have Mercy, I’m sharing something God has been laying on my heart: the power of worship. For the past 15 years, worship music has been the soundtrack of my walk with Jesus. From returning to my faith in my twenties, to traveling the world on the mission field, to walking through miscarriage, infertility, job loss, and seasons of uncertainty, certain songs have reminded me of who God is when my circumstances made it hard to see Him. I’m sharing the songs that shaped my faith, helped me release shame, taught me to trust God in the unknown, and reminded me that He’s just as good in the valley as He is on the mountaintop. We’ll talk about what worship really is, why what we allow into our hearts and minds matters, and how filling our lives with God’s truth can change the way we experience even the hardest seasons. Because worship doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it can change our hearts in the middle of them. Whatever season you’re walking through, I hope this episode encourages you to keep worshiping, keep trusting, and remember that God is still good.

3. 

   2 Oct 2026

   Rooted In Every Season | Jamie Crutchley

   What if the season you’re walking through right now is preparing you for something you can’t yet see? In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I sit down with my friend Jamie to talk about Seasons—a women’s ministry born from a desire to help women slow down, meet with God, and stay rooted in Him through every season of life. But this conversation became about so much more than a ministry. Jamie shares how God called her away from a six-year teaching career before she fully understood why—and how months later, an unexpected kidney stone led doctors to discover cancer in her husband, Chris. Looking back, she could see the kindness and provision of God in preparing their family for a season they never saw coming. We talk about trusting God when circumstances don’t make sense, learning to lament instead of rushing past pain, practicing gratitude, repentance and forgiveness, and remembering God’s faithfulness so we can trust Him with whatever comes next. Because seasons change. Circumstances change. Plans change. But Jesus doesn’t. And sometimes faith looks like simply asking, “God, give me eyes to see what You’re doing in this season.” Wherever you find yourself today—winter, spring, summer or fall—you can remain rooted in the One who never changes.

4. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Seeing God In Suffering & Stewarding Your Story Well | Sarah Buck

   What if the thing you’ve prayed for God to remove becomes one of the places you experience Him most deeply? In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I sit down with my friend Sarah Buck. Sarah shares her journey through years of unexplained illness, debilitating neurological symptoms, countless doctors, treatments, chronic pain, and seasons when her body simply would not do what she needed it to do. But underneath the story of illness is an even deeper story: one of surrender. We talk about what happens when God strips away the identities we’ve built around what we do and reminds us that being His daughter is enough. We talk about the temptation to “pole vault” over grief straight to God’s promises, and why faith doesn’t require us to pretend that something painful isn’t actually painful. Sarah also shares the words from a doctor that changed the way she viewed her suffering: “Steward this well.” This conversation is about letting people into our pain, praying when we don’t have answers, waiting actively and expectantly, and recognizing that healing doesn’t always look the way we imagined it would. Sometimes God’s mercy looks like deliverance. And sometimes His mercy is meeting us right in the middle of the thing we desperately wanted Him to take away. If you’re walking through suffering, chronic illness, grief, unanswered prayer, or a waiting season, I hope this conversation reminds you: God is still present. He is still working. And your story—even the part you never would have chosen—can still be held and used by Him.

5. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Choosing Rock Bottom, Breaking Unhealthy Cycles, and Healing Generational Patterns | Dawn Rodriguez

   What if the patterns you inherited don’t have to become the patterns you pass down? In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I sit down with Dawn Rodriguez, director of The Living Vine in Savannah, Georgia, a ministry serving women experiencing pregnancy in the midst of crisis. Dawn shares her own story of growing up in generations of dysfunction, experiencing brokenness in her own life, and eventually reaching a place where she decided: the cycle stops here. We talk about what it really looks like to renew your mind, grieve the life you thought you would have, take responsibility for what you can change, and surrender the rest to God. We also talk about perfectionism, parenting, fear, community, and why healing is often a much slower process than we want it to be. And maybe one of the greatest reminders from this conversation: our job is to plant, water, and be obedient. God is responsible for the growth. God doesn't waste our pain. He doesn't waste our mistakes. He doesn't waste the years that felt lost. In His mercy, He can redeem all of it—and sometimes we won't see the fruit until generations later.

6. 

   17 Sept 2026

   Magic In The Messy Middle & Learning Our Unique Temperaments | Lindsay Peaster

   What if the messy middle is exactly where some of the most beautiful growth happens? In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I’m back in my hometown at Morgan County Middle School with my friend Lindsay—inside one of the sweetest classrooms I’ve ever experienced: Middle Grounds, a student-run coffee shop where middle schoolers are learning so much more than how to make a cup of coffee. We talk about understanding our unique temperaments, communicating with people who are wired differently than we are, building confidence, doing hard things even when we’re anxious, and learning to lead ourselves well so we can lead others well. But we also talk about Lindsay’s own journey—how years of experiences as a speech-language pathologist prepared her for this classroom, and what happened when she was willing to dream, take the next step, and follow an idea that had been placed on her heart. The middle can be messy. But God has a way of meeting us there, using every stepping stone, and reminding us that sometimes the place that feels like the middle is exactly where He’s growing something new.

7. 

   4 Sept 2026

   Waiting On What’s Next & Surrendering Your Dreams To God’s Plan | Melissa Martin

   In this deeply honest conversation, Whitney sits down with her dear friend Melissa Martin to talk about the ache of asking God, “What’s next?” and the freedom that comes from surrendering the answer back to Him. From friendship and faith to grief, healing, motherhood, ministry, and the unexpected ways God uses waiting seasons, this episode is a tender reminder that you don’t have to know the whole plan to be faithful today. Melissa shares the story behind her years-long prayer, her journey through pain, surgery, empty nesting, and church planting, and how Yoga Faith became a place of healing and stillness with Jesus. Together, Whitney and Melissa reflect on the beauty of prayer, the power of keeping your eyes on Jesus, and the truth that God often does His deepest work in the very seasons we’d rather rush through. If you’re in a season of waiting, wrestling with disappointment, or longing for clarity about your future, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Melissa encourages us to be where our feet are, take the next step, and trust that God is working even when you can’t see the full story yet.

8. 

   28 Aug 2026

   Sowing, Waiting, Reaping: Walking With God Through Different Seasons (Summer) | Whitney Merritt

   In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I’m sharing a message I recently gave at Seasons, a summer women’s gathering about planting, waiting, harvesting—and what those rhythms can teach us about walking with Jesus. Because sometimes faith feels a lot like planting seeds in dirt you can’t see through. We pray. We wait. We obey. Sometimes we even plant through tears, wondering if anything is happening beneath the surface. But Scripture reminds us that the harvest never comes before the planting—and God is always at work, even when we can’t see it yet. I share some of the seasons in my own life that have required me to keep planting through heartbreak, loss, uncertainty, and waiting, and why I believe our stories of God’s faithfulness are too important to keep to ourselves. Your testimony matters. Someone may be standing in the field you’ve finally walked out of, and hearing what God has done in your life could give them the hope they need to keep going. And ultimately, producing fruit isn’t about striving harder. Jesus simply asks us to remain in Him. So wherever you find yourself today—planting, waiting, weeping, growing, or finally harvesting—I hope this episode reminds you that God is faithful in every season. Nothing is wasted. The harvest is coming. Stay rooted. And when you see His faithfulness—tell somebody.

9. 

   21 Aug 2026

   You Can’t Fit God In A Box | Chris Conner

   What happens when the God you thought you knew turns out to be so much bigger—and so much better—than the box you put Him in? In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I sit down with my brother Chris to talk about the divine excellencies of Jesus and the beautiful “both/and” of who He is. He is majestic and meek. Holy and humble. King and servant. Just Judge and gracious Justifier. Lion and Lamb. We talk about how our childhood experiences can shape the way we see God, why knowing His true character changes the way we follow Him, and how everything we spend our lives searching for—peace, security, approval, purpose, freedom and satisfaction—is ultimately found in Jesus. We also get into what it really looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life: knowing His Word, recognizing the lies of the enemy, walking in obedience when it feels scary, living in community, and trusting that God never calls us somewhere He won’t go with us. Because the more you know Jesus, the more you love Him. And the more you behold who He really is, the more He transforms who you are. You were never meant to fit God inside a box. You were meant to know Him, walk with Him, behold His glory—and proclaim His excellencies to the world.

10. 

    14 Aug 2026

    Mercy Personified | Mercy Merritt

    In this extra-special episode of Lord Have Mercy, I sit down with my sweetest guest yet—my six-year-old daughter, Mercy. Together, we share the story behind her name and, in many ways, the story behind the name of this podcast. After miscarriage and two years of waiting for another pregnancy, God met me in the middle of my longing and reminded me that He is a good Father who gives good gifts—not because we’ve asked enough times or somehow earned them, but because He is good. Months before I ever held her in my arms, God began weaving the word mercy into our story. Now, six years later, I get to tell Mercy how her life became such a beautiful picture of God’s kindness to us—and hear her own six-year-old perspective on trusting God when we’re waiting for something we really want. Of course, when your podcast guest is six, the conversation also includes American Girl Dolls, Legos, first grade, plenty of interruptions, and a whole lot of laughter. If you’re in a season of waiting, praying the same prayer over and over, I hope this episode reminds you that God’s goodness isn’t determined by how quickly He answers. His mercy is present in the answer, but it’s also present in the waiting. Sometimes we just have to look back at our story and say, Lord, have mercy… You’ve been so good.

11. 

    7 Aug 2026

    The Mercy of Following Jesus From Childhood | Preston Conner

    What if your testimony isn’t about how far you ran from God—but about how faithfully He kept you close? In this episode of Lord Have Mercy, I sit down with my 23-year-old nephew, Preston, to talk about what it has looked like for him to follow Jesus from childhood into high school, college, marriage, and now the beginning of adulthood. Preston gave his life to Jesus at eight years old, and while his story may not include a dramatic season of walking away from God, it is a powerful testimony of God’s mercy all the same. We talk about the heartache, baggage, and scars that God can spare us from when we choose to walk in His ways—and the people and practices that helped Preston remain rooted in his faith when the world offered plenty of other paths. We talk about the influence of parents who didn’t just talk about faith but lived it in front of their children, the importance of honest conversations about past mistakes, the power of godly friendships and mentors, and why community is so essential to staying close to Jesus. Preston also shares what it was like navigating public high school and a large public university while holding onto his faith, how seasons of isolation affected his walk with God, and why continually filling our lives with truth matters in a world constantly competing for our attention. This conversation challenged me deeply as a parent. We cannot guarantee that our children will follow Jesus—but we can intentionally build homes where they see what following Him looks like. We can pray for them, point them toward truth, surround them with godly community, live authentically before them, and trust God with the rest. Because sometimes the greatest testimony isn’t how far God brought you back. Sometimes it’s how faithfully He kept you walking with Him all along. In this episode, we talk about parenting with intentionality, godly friendships, Christian community, resisting isolation, navigating faith in school and college, the influence of mentors, vulnerability about our own sin, daily time with Jesus, and raising the next generation to know and follow Him. No matter what your story looks like, we all need Jesus—and there is mercy in both the rescue and the keeping.

12. 

    17 Jul 2026

    The Mercy of Sobriety | Rev Dr Ben Gosden

    What if the thing you've been relying on to cope is actually keeping you from healing? In this episode of **Lord Have Mercy**, Whitney sits down with Rev. Dr. Ben Gosden for an honest conversation about sobriety, addiction, recovery, and the surprising freedom that comes from surrendering control to God. Together they discuss why alcohol overpromises and underdelivers, how recovery is about far more than simply quitting drinking, and why learning to regulate our emotions, trust God, and live one day at a time changes everything. Whether you've struggled with alcohol, another addiction, or simply find yourself reaching for anything other than God to numb pain or quiet anxiety, this conversation offers hope without shame and reminds us that healing begins when we let God do what only He can do. In this episode you'll hear about: Why addiction is more than a lack of willpower The connection between anxiety, perfectionism, and coping How faith and the 12 Steps beautifully complement one another Learning to let God be God Why freedom is found one day at a time The hope available to every person longing for lasting peace No matter your story, God's mercy is still reaching for you.

13. 

    10 Jul 2026

    One Yes Changed Everything | Isabella Welton, Courtney Knoff, Christina Camp, and Meagan Ripley

    Twelve years ago, we packed everything we would need for a year into backpacks, raised $15,000 each, and left home for an 11-month mission trip around the world. None of us could have imagined that saying "yes" to God would lead to lifelong friendships, stronger faith, future spouses, and countless reminders of His mercy. In this episode, we're reminiscing about our World Race adventure—from fundraising and culture shock to living in the developing world, navigating challenges, and seeing God move in ways we'll never forget. We share hilarious travel memories, unexpected love stories, and the ways God used one year to shape the next twelve. More than a conversation about travel, this is a story about obedience. It's about how one step of faith can change the trajectory of your life in ways you never could have planned. We hope this episode encourages you to trust God's leading, even when the destination feels uncertain. His mercy is often waiting on the other side of your "yes."

14. 

    3 Jul 2026

    Mercy in the Middle of Anxiety and OCD | Danielle Copeland

    What if the very thing you've begged God to take away becomes the place where you know Him most deeply? This week on *Lord Have Mercy*, Whitney sits down with one of her dearest friends, Danielle, for an honest conversation about living with panic disorder, OCD, and anxiety for more than 30 years. Although many people know Danielle as a successful realtor, devoted wife and mom, and someone who has it all together, few see the hidden battle she's fought behind the scenes. Together, they discuss trauma, panic attacks, therapy, medication, friendship, and the faithfulness of God through every season. This episode is a reminder that healing doesn't always look the way we expect, that asking for help is not a lack of faith, and that God often meets us most powerfully in the places we'd rather hide. If you've ever struggled with anxiety, loved someone who has, or wondered why God hasn't removed your thorn, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone—and that His mercy is present even in the middle of the struggle.

15. 

    26 Jun 2026

    When Worry Led to God’s Word | Jill Hill

    In this heartfelt conversation, Whitney sits down with longtime friend, author, and Bible teacher Jill Hill to talk about how seasons of anxiety, panic attacks, unanswered questions, and uncertainty became the very places where God's mercy met them both. Jill shares the story of opening her Bible for herself for the first time, how Scripture transformed her battle with fear, and why hiding God's Word in our hearts changes everything. Together they discuss spiritual friendship, raising children in faith, the power of ordinary obedience, and how God uses our stories to bring hope to others. Whether you're walking through anxiety, waiting on unanswered prayers, or simply longing to know God more personally, this conversation is a gentle reminder that His mercy is often found right in the middle of the story. **In this episode you'll hear:** How anxiety became an invitation to intimacy with God Why Scripture became Jill's greatest source of peace The importance of memorizing God's Word Finding faithful friends who point you to Jesus Why God uses ordinary obedience in extraordinary ways How God's mercy is often clearest when we look back **Scripture Mentioned:** Psalm 23 Psalm 91 Psalm 34:5 Philippians 4:6–7 James 1:2–4 Daniel 3 Thank you for listening to **Lord Have Mercy**, where every story points back to the faithfulness and mercy of God.

16. 

    19 Jun 2026

    Faith, Fashion, and God’s Faithfulness | Kim Jensen

    In this episode of *Lord Have Mercy*, Whitney sits down with her first boss, longtime mentor, and dear friend, Kim Jensen. What began as a conversation about entrepreneurship and owning a successful women's boutique quickly becomes a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness through seasons she never would have chosen. Kim shares her journey through divorce, disappointment, and uncertainty, and the moment God used Jeremiah 29:11 to remind her that He still had good plans for her future. Through a bracelet, a church sign, and an unexpected confirmation, Kim experienced God's personal care in a way that changed her life forever. Together, Whitney and Kim discuss faith, business, community, marriage, and the beautiful ways God redeems painful chapters. This conversation is a reminder that even in our most unwanted circumstances, we are never outside the reach of God's mercy. **Where have you seen the mercy of God in your life?**

17. 

    12 Jun 2026

    The Mercy That Found Us | Chris Conner

    In this very first episode of *Lord Have Mercy*, I sit down with my brother to share the story that shaped our family—and ultimately pointed us to the mercy of God. We talk openly about addiction, abandonment, broken relationships, shame, and the struggles that marked much of our childhood. But more importantly, we talk about God's faithfulness through it all. This conversation is not about having a perfect story. It's about a God who meets us in the middle of our mess, redeems what feels impossible, and writes a better story than we ever could on our own. Together, we reflect on where we've seen God's mercy in our individual lives, in our family, and in the generations that follow. Whether you're walking through your own season of pain, carrying the weight of your past, or simply wondering if God is still at work in your story, we hope this episode reminds you that His mercy is never far away. *Where are you seeing the mercy of God in your life?*

18. 

    8 Jun 2026

    Lord Have Mercy Podcast Trailer

    Life is messy, but God's mercy is greater. Join Whitney Merritt for honest conversations about faith, redemption, and the ways God meets us in our hardest moments. Through real stories of struggle, healing, and hope, each episode explores the beauty of God's grace in everyday life. Whether you're walking through a difficult season or simply looking for encouragement, you'll be reminded that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Where have you seen the mercy of God in your life?

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Books guests

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