It is hard for me, God, to confess my sins and not merely repeat well-worn phrases with which I try to cover my real guilt.
I have sinned exceedingly. Why is it so difficult for me to see that, Lord?! Why am I so bothered with a few things I do wrong while I think nothing of my lack of trust in You!? Why do I feel guilty when I do not live up to my own standards but hardly blush when I fail You? Why do I imitate unholy men instead of following the Christ?
I must confess it is because I follow my own desires, because I am weak in the face of temptations, and without You I am nothing.
All I can do is plead mercy, God, I cannot even hold up the honesty and fullness of my own confession. All I can do is trust your love in Jesus Christ.
I surely cannot trust my love for You or Him. Hear me for the sake of Jesus Christ, who lived for me and died that in Him I might live.
Forgive, Father! Forgive me even this, my poor confession. I need your forgiveness for Christ's sake. Amen.
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Prayer of Humble Access
We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life to the honor and glory of thy name. Amen.
Another version:
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood in these holy Mysteries, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen
