Anne Lamott Explores Importance Of Mercy In New Book

She converted by accident: while drunk and battling an alcohol addiction. She also says that the three essential prayers are “Help, Thanks, and Wow.” That’s also the title of one of her many New York Times best-sellers.

Her latest book is a collection of essays called “Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy.” In it, she explains mercy as what will point us forward in an increasingly complex world.

“Grace is the spiritual WD-40. That is, a magical, divine, unmerited support we get,” Lamott said in an interview with Lois Reitzes. “And mercy really is the action of that. It’s the softening of one’s heart. It’s the offering of forgiveness when you’re grievously wounded. It’s the receiving of forgiveness when someone has found it in their heart. Mercy is giving away what we have.”

Lamott will speak about the book at Central Presbyterian Church this Saturday at 7 p.m. in conjunction with Charis Books.