Thursday, August 18, 2011

A Morning Prayer

O Lord our God, Who grants the remission of sins to mankind through repentance, and Who shows us an example of forgiveness through the acknowledgment and confession of sin by Your prophet David’s repentance: despite our falling into many great sins, have mercy on us according to Your great mercy, O Master, and wipe out our offenses in the abundance of Your compassion; for we have sinned against You, O Lord, Who know the hidden and secret things of man’s heart, and Who alone have the power to remit sins. Create in us a clean heart, and establish us with Your governing Spirit; and make us know the joy of Your salvation; do not cast us away from Your presence; but, in Your goodness and love for mankind, allow us, even until our final breath, to offer a righteous sacrifice to You at Your Holy Altars. Through the mercy, compassion, and love for mankind of Your only-begotten Son, with Whom You are blessed, together with Your all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
This prayer is taken from the Orthros Service (morning prayer service) of the Orthodox Christian Church. I think it speaks beautifully to the absolute love of God and the power of repentance.

No comments: