I am the man who fell among thieves,
   even my own thoughts;
they have covered all my body with wounds,
   and I lie beaten and bruised,
But come to me, O Christ my Savior, and heal me.

   Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

The priest saw me first,
   but passed by on the other side;
the Levite looked on me in my distress,
   but despised my nakedness.
O Jesus, sprung from Mary, do Thou come to me and take pity on me.

   Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of all,
   take from me the heavy yoke of sin,
   and in Thy compassion grant me remission of sins.

   Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

It is time for repentance: to Thee I come, my Creator.
Take from me the heavy yoke of sin,
   and in Thy compassion grant me remission of sins.

   Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.


Frederica Mathewes-Green, 1952- , American Orthodox author and speaker

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Ephesians 2:3-6

All of us used to live that way, 

    following the passionate desires and inclinations 

    of our sinful nature. 

By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, 

    just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 

    that even though we were dead because of our sins, 

    he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. 

(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ 

    and seated us with him in the heavenly realms

    because we are united with Christ Jesus.

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Question

What is an area of your life where you need to cry out to God

     for mercy and forgiveness?