Father of Mercies,
Please listen to me for Jesus sake.
I am sinful even in my closest walk with you;
it is a testimony to your mercy that I did not die long ago.
Your grace has enabled me to trust in the cross
by which you have reconciled yourself to me
and me to you,
drawing me by your great love,
counting me as innocent in Christ though I am guilty in myself.
Giver of all graces,
I look to you for strength to keep those graces in me,
for it is hard to practice what I believe.
Please strengthen me against temptations.
My heart is an endless fountain of sin,
it has been a river of corruption since I was a child,
flowing on in every pattern of behavior;
You have taken away from me the things in which I used to trust
and I have no strength but in you.
You alone are able to hold back my evil ways,
but without your grace to sustain me I fall.
Satan's fiery darts quickly inflame me,
and the shield that should quench them
easily drops from my hand:
Will you empower me against his wiles and assaults
and keep me aware of my weakness,
and of my dependence upon your strength?
Let every trial teach me more of your peace,
more of your love.
You Holy Spirit is given to increase your graces,
and I cannot preserve or improve them
unless he works continually in me.
May he confirm my trust in your promised help,
and let me walk humbly in dependence upon you,
for Jesus' sake.
