Gracious and gentle and condescending God,
God of peace, Father of mercy, God of all comfort;
see, I lament before you the evil of my heart;
I acknowledge that I am too much disposed to
anger, jealousy, and revenge,
to ambition and pride,
which often give rise to discord and bitter feelings
between me and others.
Too often in this way I have offended and grieved you,
my long suffering Father, as well as my neighbors.
Oh! forgive me this sin, and allow me to share in the blessing
which you have promised to the peacemakers,
who shall be called the children of God.
Johann Arndt, 1555-1621, Lutheran pastor and theologian, forerunner of pietism
_____________________
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
image New Life Church Collingwood
prayer & verse 