Lord, in these days of fasting, I stand before You in the sorrow of my soul. My sins weigh heavily upon me. Crushed by them, I cannot lift my eyes to heaven. There is no boldness in me to pray to You: prophecy has fallen silent, the Gospel within me has grown quiet, prayer has come to a standstill. For everything is covered with the scab of sin, the hide of insensitivity, the scales of pride.
I stand before You in simplicity and poverty of spirit. From the depths, drowning in sin, I cry out to You: have mercy! I cry out to You like the blind men of the Gospel: have mercy on me! I beat my breast like the publican: God, be merciful to me, a sinner! I ask like the prodigal son: receive me among Your hired servants, for I am unworthy to be called Your child. I quietly pray to You like the thief: remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom.
I ask for one thing—deep, true, renewing repentance and forgiveness. I cry out to You and beg for mercy. Have mercy on me!
Renew my heart and cleanse it from all sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Grant me, like the prodigal son, a new, bright garment of purity. Give me, like him, new and sturdy shoes to protect me from the sting of the ancient serpent, the devil. And send upon me the grace of the Holy Spirit—the grace that ignites, restores, and grants love for everything and everyone.
Amen.
Author – fr. Andrii Pinchuk
