O Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings:

    you have power over life and death,

    you know even what is uncertain and obscure,

    our thoughts and feelings are no secret from you.

Cleanse me from my hidden faults,

    for I have done evil and you have seen it.

Day by day my life draws nearer to its end

    and my sins increase in number.

O Lord, God of spirits and of all corporeal creatures,

    you know how frail I am, in soul and in body.

Give me strength, Lord, in my weakness

    and uphold me in my sufferings.

Knowing that I have come to be regarded by many people

    as an oddity, you strengthen and support me.

Give me a prudent judgment, good Lord,

    and let me always remember your blessings.

Do not think of my many sins;

    put my faults out of your mind.

Lord, do not disdain my prayer, a sinner’s though it is and worthless;

    but leave with me until the end that grace of yours

    that has been my protection until now.

Your grace it was that taught me wisdom.

Blessed are they that keep to its paths;

    a glorious crown awaits them.

I am unworthy and sinful, Lord, but I still bless and praise you,

    for you have poured your mercies lavishly over me;

    you have been my Helper and Protector;

    your great name deserves eternal glory.

Glory to you, O Lord, our God.

St. Ephrem the Syrian, c. 306-378, Syrian hymn writer and theologian

Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.  That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.