Prayers

I've been thinking a lot lately about the different prayers found in the BCP. There are just so many in there that are so good. I posted on this already, but I get caught up by one every now and again. This morning, I did Morning Prayer with a group of colleagues at a Fresh Start meeting.  In going through this service, we read Canticle 14, which takes excerpts from the Prayer of Manasseh, an oft overlooked book in the Apocrypha.  I could not help but think about how apt this canticle is for the season of Lent. 

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.
-BCP pp. 90-91

I think that, in addition to this blog, I will try to say this prayer everyday.  This will help me to remember the penitential nature of Lent and keep God's mercy and grace at the forefront of my mind. 

If you have any prayers that you fall back on from time to time, let me know.