The Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker
of all things, Judge of all; we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins
and wickedness, which we, from time to time most grievously have committed
by thought, word and deed against Thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly
they wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent and are heartily
sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous upon
us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon
us most merciful Father; for Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Forgive
us all that is past; and grant that we may ever serve and please Thee in
newness of life, to the honour and glory of Thy name; through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Thomas Cranmer 1489-1556
Private Prayers
I have deferred repentance, and Thou hast prolonged
patience, O Thou that art mercy, Thou that art a fountain inexhaustible.
Lancelot Andrewes.
O Love, no more sins, no more sins !
St Catherine of Genoa.
Times without number have I pray'd,
"This only once forgive";
Relapsing, when Thy hand was stay'd,
And suffer'd me to live:-
Yet now the kingdom of Thy peace,
Lord, to my heart restore;
Forgive my vain repentances,
And bid me sin no more.
Charles Wesley
O everlasting God, let the light of Thine eternity
now fall upon my passing days.
O holy God, let the light of thy perfect righteousness
fall upon my sinful ways.
O most merciful God, let the light of Thy love
pierce to the most secret corners of my heart and overcome the darkness
of sin within me.
John Baillie.
Lord, who hast died for us, beside whose awful mercy
we confess that he who is not burned with love needeth to be purged with
tears: Grant us such penitence as may be no reproach to us before Thine
angels, and such love as shall carry us into their choirs; which praise
Thee with the Father and the Holy Ghost, God most glorious, for ever.
Eric Milner-White
A Cambridge Bede Book
An Act of Contrition
O God, I am sorry with my whole heart for all my
sins, because you are Goodness itself and sin is an offence against you.
Therefore I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, not to sin again,
and to avoid the occasions of sin.
The Missal.
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