Thursday, February 26, 2009

A Prayer for Lent

Just as Advent serves as a time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord's incarnation at Christmas, so Lent serves as a season for reflection as we prepare to remember His death and resurrection at Easter.

Most holy and merciful Father:
I confess to you and to 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, and mind and strength. I have not loved my neighbors 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.

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, Lord for the wrongs I have done; for my blindness to human need and suffering, and my indifference to indulgence and cruelty; for all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and for my prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from me.

Restore me, good Lord, and let your anger depart from me, favorably hear me for your mercy is great. Accomplish in me and all of your church the work of your salvation, that I may show forth all 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.

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