A BEAUTIFUL SHORT PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

Lord Almighty, God of our fathers,

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

God of their righteous descendants,

you created the universe

and all the splendour that fills it.

The sea obeys your command

and never overflows its bounds.

The power of your wonderful, glorious name

keeps the ocean depths in their place.

When you show your power, all creation trembles.

Your glorious splendour is overwhelming,

and your anger is more than sinners can endure.

But the mercy you promise is also greater

than we can understand or measure.

For you are the Lord Most High;

you are patient and show mercy and compassion.

You make our punishment easier to bear

when we suffer for our sins.

O Lord, in your great goodness and mercy

you promise forgiveness and salvation

to those who repent of their sin against you.

You, Lord, are the God of righteous people.

Repentance was not necessary

for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

for they did not sin against you.

But for sinners like me

you have made repentance possible.

I have committed more sins

than there are grains of sand along the seashore.

They are so many, Lord, they are so many.

I have done so much that is wrong

that I am not worthy to turn my face towards heaven.

I am crushed beneath the weight of my sin;

I am bowed down by its heavy iron chain.

I can find no relief, for I have made you angry.

I have set up idols everywhere; I have done what you hate.

But now I bow in deep humility, praying for your mercy.

I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned;

I confess the wicked things I have done.

I beg you, Lord, I earnestly pray; forgive me, forgive me.

Do not destroy me because of my sins;

do not be angry with me forever or store up punishment for me.

Do not condemn me to the world of the dead,

for you, O Lord, forgive those who repent.

Show me all your mercy and kindness and save me,

even though I do not deserve it.

Then I will go on praising you as long as I live.

All the heavenly powers sing your praises,

and your glory endures forever.

Amen.

                  

(Manasseh)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

A SONG OF THANKSGIVING

I give you thanks, O Lord and King;

I praise you as my God and Saviour.

I give you thanks,

For you have helped me and protected me.

You have rescued me from death,

from dangerous lies and slander.

You helped me when no one else would;

in your great mercy you saved me

from the many troubles I have known:

from the glaring hatred of my enemies,

who wanted to put an end to my life;

from suffocation in oppressive smoke

rising from fires that I did not light;

from death itself;

from vicious slander reported to the king.

I was once brought face to face with death;

enemies surrounded me everywhere.

I looked for someone to help me,

but there was no one there.

But the, O Lord, I remembered how merciful you are

and what you have done in times past.

I remembered that you rescue those who rely on you,

That you save them from their enemies.

Then from here on earth I prayed to you

to rescue me from death.

I prayed, “O Lord, you are my father;

do not abandon me to my troubles

when I am helpless against arrogant enemies.

I will always praise you

and sing hymns of thanksgiving.”

You answered my prayer,

and saved me from the threat of destruction.

and so I thank you and praise you.

O Lord, I praise you!

(Sirach 51:1 -12)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ