Prayer of Repentance

The Act of Contrition is a form of prayer in which we acknowledge our sins, and where we ask for forgiveness. Prayers of repentance are an invitation to all of us sinners to purify our hearts by relying on the Divine Mercy of the Almighty.

What Does It Mean to Repent?

Repentance is an inward reflection on our sins: it is a conversion of heart and an Act of Faith.

Not only does repentance make us acknowledge our sins, but it is also a deep examination of our own sinful nature and of the path of righteousness. We ask humbly and faithfully that God forgives us through His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross to redeem us from our sins.

To repent is to ask for the forgiveness of God, and for the ability to pardon those who offended us: these graces go hand in hand, as Jesus taught us in The Lord’s Prayer.  

Prayer for Mercy and Pardon (Psalm 51)

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God[d] is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Amen.”

Repentance Prayer

“Loving Father, 

You are the source of all goodness and love and You never refuse forgiveness to those who come to You with repentant hearts.
Mercifully listen to my prayer.
Look with kindness upon me and forgive me for all my sins and failures.
Give me the grace to acknowledge them before you.
Help me look into my life and see the many ways I have displeased you in my relationship with you,
with my loved ones and friends, through the sin of pride, the sin of anger, lust or weakness of the flesh, envy, greed, gluttony and sloth, and for all the negative consequences that resulted from them.
Forgive me for my inability to be faithful to your commandments.
And bless me with humility to repent with a sincere and contrite heart.
Give me the strength to fight future temptations to sin and to avoid being exposed to occasions for sin.
Give me the patience and perseverance to make amends in my life and be transformed as you will.
All these I pray in Jesus’ name through Mary and all the Angels and Saints.

Amen.”

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