Forgiven to Love - Praying with the Church

For several years I attended a church that followed the same liturgy for weeks at a time - liturgies shared by many Christian churches through the ages. Every week I learned to pray a prayer very similar to this one. Rather than allowing me to tune out, the repetition etched the words on my heart. I appreciate the balance and depth in such a prayer.

***

Merciful God,

We confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you

with our whole heart and mind and strength.

We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

In your mercy forgive what we have been,

help us amend what we are,

and direct what we shall be,

so that we may delight in your will

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name.

Through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.