Lord our God, great, eternal, wonderful in glory, who keepest
covenant and promises for those that love Thee with their
whole heart, who art the Life of all, the Help of those that
flee unto Thee, the Hope of those who cry unto Thee, cleanse
us from our sins, secret and open, and from every thought
displeasing to Thy goodness,--cleanse our bodies and souls,
our hearts and consciences, that with a pure heart, and a
clear soul, with perfect love and calm hope, we may venture
confidently and fearlessly to pray unto Thee. Amen.
COPTIC LITURGY OF ST. BASIL.
The dominion of any sinful habit will fearfully estrange
us from His presence. A single consenting act of inward disobedience
in thought or will is enough to let fall a cloud between Him
and us, and to leave our hearts cheerless and dark.
H. E. MANNING. |