Lord God Almighty,
Your understanding is unsearchable and infinite,
Your arm cannot be restrained,
Your activity extends through limitless space,
All works hang on your care,
With you all time is a present now.
Holy is your wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works.
How can I stand before you
with my numberless and flagrant offences?
I have often loved darkness,
embraced empty lies,
shunned your given mercies,
trampled underfoot your beloved Son's name,
mocked your blessings,
flattered you with my lips,
and broken your covenant.
It is only because of your compassion that I am not consumed.
Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;
Let me come to you renouncing, condemning, loathing myself,
but hoping in the grace that flows even to the chief of sinners.
At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it,
look on him whom I pierced,
as one slain for me, and by me.
May I never despise his death by fearing its ability to save me.
And whatever cross I am required to bear,
let me see him carrying a heavier one.
Teach me in health to think of sickness,
in the brightest hours to be ready for darkness;
in life prepare me for death.
Thus may my soul rest in you, O immortal and transcendent one,
revealed as you are in the Person and work of your Son,
the Friend of sinners.
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