Prayer for Obtaining Contrition
From The Garden of the Soul, compiled by Richard Challoner, 1872 Tools
III.—Contrition
Source
| Printed in | The Garden of the Soul |
|---|---|
| Imprint | London, R. Washbourne (printed as R. WASHBOURNE, 18A, PATERNOSTER ROW; right edge of the imprint is cut off in the scan), 1872 |
| Scan | the Internet Archive copy |
| Transcription | Transcribed from the scan of the 1872 edition. |
| Rights | Public domain in the United States. |
- Prayers for
- contrition, forgiveness of sins, amendment of life, mercy
Rembrandt, Return of the Prodigal Son, 1636. Cleveland Museum of Art.
Contrition, or sorrow for sin, is absolutely necessary for a good confession. It consists of sorrow for past sins, and a determination to avoid for the future both sin and the occasions of sin. Ask of God to give you this true contrition.
A Prayer for obtaining Contrition.
I have now here before me, O Lord, a sad prospect of the manifold offences, by which I have displeased thy divine Majesty, and which I am assured will appear in judgment against me, if I repent not, and my soul be not disposed, by a hearty sorrow, to receive thy pardon. But this sorrow, O Lord, this repentance must be thy free gift, and if it comes not from the hand of thy mercy, all my endeavours will be in vain, and I shall be for ever miserable. Have mercy, therefore, on me, O Father of mercies, and pour forth into my heart thy grace, whereby I may sincerely repent of all my sins; give me a true contrition, that I may bewail my past misery and ingratitude, and grieve from my heart for having offended thee, so good a God. Permit me not to be deluded with a false sorrow, as, I fear, I have been too often, through my own weakness and neglect; but let it be now thy gift, descending from thee, the Father of lights, that so my repentance may be accompanied with amendment and change of life, and I may be fully acquitted from the guilt of all my sins, and once more received into the number of thy servants. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O most merciful and forgiving Lord, for the love of thee I forgive all who have ever offended me. I firmly resolve to forsake and flee from all sins, and to avoid the occasions of them; and to confess, in bitterness of spirit, all those sins which I have committed against thy divine goodness, and to love thee, O my God, for thine own sake, above all things and for ever. Grant me grace so to do, O most gracious Lord Jesus. Amen.
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