Lenten Meditation #16 (3-6-10)

Most holy and merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against You for I have not loved You supremely nor my neighbors as myself. I have done foolishly for foolishness is bound up in my heart. The imagination of our heart is only evil continually, and the bias of my corrupt nature is very strong toward the world, the flesh, and the gratification of the senses; but toward You and Christ and heaven I move slowly and with a great many stops and pauses. I have misspent my time, have trifled away my opportunities to grow in Your grace and knowledge, and have followed many vanities. O God, be merciful to me, for how little I have done of the great work that I was sent into the world to do. I am utterly unworthy to be received by You in peace and favor, but deserve Your wrath and curse. But You have taken me into covenant through baptism, and set me apart for Yourself, and laid upon me the glorious obligation to love You, and serve You, and live unto You. Hear my prayer, O merciful Judge, and receive me in peace, for the sake of that One who bore my sins in His own body on the tree. In His Name, the name Christ Jesus, I pray, AMEN.