Pause
Merciful God, I come to you with eyes downcast. I long to sit and rest in your presence, but I feel the weight of my wrongdoing
Ask
I pray to you with a repentant heart. I turn back from the ways of the world that are wrong. I confess my sins to you and humbly ask for forgiveness.
Listen
I know that you are faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). You are not slow to fulfill your promises but patient with me, desiring that I reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9)
Share
I approach you with hope; for you have reassured us that there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who did not need to repent (Luke 15:7). Thank you for seeking out your lost sheep.
Reflect
You gently raise my chin, meeting my eyes. “To repent is not to look downwards at my own shortcomings, but upwards at God’s love. It is not to look backwards with self-reproach but forward with trustfulness. It is to see not what I have failed to be, but what by the grace of Christ I might yet become.” Saint John Climacus. May I look ever upwards to your love, my God
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