20. PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS OF SIN.

     Eternal and merciful God, I a poor, miserable and distressed sinner, enter the presence of Thy devine majesty with nothing but my sin; therefore I dare not lift up mine eyes, but am abashed before Thee, since I have so often provoked Thee, my God, my Creator, and my Father, with sins great and manifold.  If Thou wouldst deal with me according to deserts, I should be and forever remain a child of wrath and eternal damnation.  But, O my dear God and Father, I take comfort in Thy great mercy, in Thy grace unfathomable, infinite, unspeakable and without measure; a grace Thou Thyself didst promise and confirm with a solemn oath when saying:  "As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live."  I take comfort in Thine only-begotten Son, mine only Redeemer, Justifier, Mediator, and Savior, who by virtue of His obedience, suffering, and death hath gained Thy favor for me and hath given me, who believes in Him, power to be and remain His child and heir.  Therefore I do not despair, but confess unto Thee my sins, sins of thoughts and deeds, sins secret and public, and I plead guilty in Thy sight of being a great malefactor and evil-doer.  So nothing remains for me to do but to approach to Thy throne of grace, relying on Thy word ith a meek heart and yet a fearless spirit and in true faith and firm confidence bising my hope of forgiveness on the grace Thou hast promised, and on the bitter sufferings of Thy dear Son.  And I cry from my inmost heart; Abba, my Father and Lord, have mercy upon me!  O my God, be gracious to me, a poor sinner, and forgive all my sins, original and actual - all thoughts, words and deeds that knowingly or unknowingly I have committed against Thee.  There is in me, that is, in my flesh, no good thing.  In sins have I been conceived and born, in sins have I lived and shall continue to live, as long as I have this sinful flesh.  My transgressions are continually before Thee.  Thou seest in me a thousandfold more and greater sins that I myself can see, know or realize.  O Lord, do not enter into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.  Be gracious unto me for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, my Lord and Savior, and blot out my transgressions according to Thy great mercy, which is much greater than the sins of all mankind.  Purge me with yssop and wash me with the pure blood which Thy dear Son shed upon the cross.  Let me be Thy child and heir, a vessel of Thy grace, and an abode of the Holy Spirit.  O Lord, save, comfort, and refresh me with the joy of Thy salvation.  Thy holy, joyous and lifegiving Spirit lend gladness to my distressed soul and contrite heart.  The bruised reed Thou wilt not break, O Lord, and the smoking flax Thou wild not quench.  Thou wilt not cast me away from Thy presence; of this I feel confident.  Thou wilt not suffer me to despair, but wilt renew me with Thy right Spirit, who will kindle and confirm true faith in my heart and mightily comfort my soul.  O Lord, my faithful God and Father, hear my prayer that I may be and remain Thy child and Thy temple now and forever.  Let me not fall into error and vices, which war against my conscience.  Preserve me from blood-guilt and from all ills.  Grant me grace at all times to delight in Thy Word, so that I will gladly hear it, read it, meditate on it, and with it minister unto others.  Grant that I may speak of it day and night and that my mouth may show forth Thy righteousness and praise.  For all this I will ever love, bless, and praise Thee, my God and Lord, together with Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit, thanking and serving Thee with all men and angels now and in all eternity.  Amen.