Act of Approach

BENIGN LORD,

I praise thee continually for permission
    to approach thy throne of grace,
    and to spread my wants and desires
      before thee.
I am not worthy of thy blessings and mercies
  for I am far gone from original righteousness;
My depraved nature reveals itself in disobedience
    and rebellion;
My early days discovered in me discontent, pride,
    envy, revenge.
Remember not the sins of my youth,
  nor the multiplied transgressions of later years,
    my failure to improve time and talents,
    my abuse of mercies and means,
    my wasted sabbaths,
    my perverted seasons of grace,
    my long neglect of thy great salvation,
    my disregard of the Friend of sinners.
While I confess my guilt, help me to feel it deeply,
  with self-abhorrence and self-despair, yet
  to remember there is hope in thee,
  and to see the Lamb that takes away sin.
Through him may I return to thee,
  listen to thee,
  trust in thee,
  delight in thy law,
  obey thee,
  be upheld by thee.
Preserve my understanding from error,
  my affections from love of idols,
  my lips from speaking guile,
  my conduct from stain of vice,
  my character from appearance of evil,
    that I may be harmless, blameless, rebukeless,
    exemplary, useful, light-giving, prudent,
    zealous for thy glory
      and the good of my fellow-men.

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