Page 25 of 46
I very often stand irreverently, pray mechanically, judge others while they are praying,
but do not look after myself.
At home I sometimes pray with great reluctance and absent-mindedness, so that often I
do not hear my own prayer, and sometimes I simply omit it.
Such are my attitudes towards Thee, Oh Lord, and I can say nothing else but "forgive and
have mercy!
In my relations with people I sin with all my senses; I sin with my tongue by pronouncing
false, foul, reproachful, or suggestive words; I sin with my eyes; I sin with my mind and
heart by judging others and I am contentious often and for long periods of time; I sin not
only against my soul, but against my body as well, by immoderately consuming food and
drink.
Accept, Oh Lover of Mankind, my repentance, that I might approach Thy holy and life-
giving Mysteries in peace, for the remission of sins, for the correction of this temporary
life, and for the inheritance of eternal life.
Amen.
"I am not worthy to ask forgiveness, Oh Lord!"
So the great teacher of penitence, Saint Ephraim the Syrian, once exclaimed of himself.
"How can we resist the attack of sin? How can we deny entry to the passions?", Saint
Basil the Great asked Saint Ephraim, who answered only by shedding tears.
What can I, the consummate and incorrigible sinner, say to thee now, O Lord?
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Ephraim and Basil, grant me, Oh Lord,
repentance, and words, and tears.
Help me to spew out of myself, like deadly poison, my evil deeds, idle words, and wicked
thoughts.
If I have forgotten to tell anything, Thou knowest know all and will remind me; for I do
not want to conceal anything.
Thou commandest command me, "tell your iniquities before thou seekest justification.
But I say: "My sins are multiplied, Oh Lord, and they multiply incessantly.
They have no limit.