New Beginning

INCOMPREHENSIBLE, GREAT, AND GLORIOUS GOD,

I adore thee and abase myself.
    I approach thee mindful that I am
    less than nothing,
      a creature worse than nothing.
My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze.
My secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance.
Enable me to remember that blood which cleanseth
    all sin,
  to believe in that grace which subdues
    all iniquities,
  to resign myself to that agency which can
    deliver me from the bondage of corruption
      into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Thou hast begun a good work in me
  and canst alone continue and complete it.
Give me an increasing conviction of my tendency
    to err,
  and of my exposure to sin.
Help me to feel more of the purifying, softening
    influence of religion,
  its compassion, love, pity, courtesy,
  and employ me as thy instrument
    in blessing others.
Give me to distinguish
  between the mere form of godliness and its power,
  between life and a name to live,
  between guile and truth,
  between hypocrisy and a religion that will bear
    thy eye.
If I am not right, set me right, keep me right;
And may I at last come to thy house in peace.

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