Monday, February 26, 2007

This prayer is from "The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime". I've been meditating on it quite a bit over the last few weeks.

Most Holy and Merciful Father:

I confess to you and the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth,
that I have sinned by my own fault in thought, word and deed; by what I have
done and by what I have left undone.

I have not loved you with my whole heart, mind and strength. I have not
loved my neighbor as myself. I have not forgiven others as I have been
forgiven.
Have mercy on me, Lord.

I have been deaf to your call to serve as Christ served us. I have not
been true to the mind of Christ. I have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on me, Lord.

I confess to you, Lord, all my past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy and
impatience of my life.
I confess to you, Lord.

My self-indulgent appetites and ways, and my exploitation of other people,
I confess to you, Lord.

My anger at my own frustration, and my envy of those more fortunate than I,
I confess to you, Lord.

My intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and my dishonesty
in daily life and work,
I confess to you, Lord.

My negligence in prayer and worship, and my failure to commend the faith
that is in me,
I confess to you, Lord.

Accept my repentance, O Lord, for the wrongs I have done: for my blindness to
human need and suffering, and my indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept my repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and for my
prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from me,
Accept my repentance, Lord.

For my waste and pollution of your creation, and my lack of concern for those
who come after us,
Accept my repentance, Lord.

Restore me, O Lord, and let your anger depart from me.
Favorably hear me, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in me and in all of your church the work of your salvation,
That I might show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord
Bring me with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

2 comments:

Brad said...

Amy,

I love the prayer. Unfortunately, I have not had access to "The Divine Hours" because my dear Kate takes it to work with her. I have been reading the psalms instead.

This prayer is so powerful, it is so clear, precise and concise in its illumination of ALL of our sins. More importantly it illuminates our confession and repentence as we walk our journey in Christ.

Thanks for sharing it.

Amy said...

Poor Brad...no Divine Hours...just a million other new books to revel in! Must be nice to have them fresh in your bookcase!

It is a powerful prayer; comprehensive what it covers and thus also incredibly humbling.