Prayer of Confession of Sin, by John Calvin, from the Genevan Liturgy

newly translated from the 1552 edition by Wilhelmus for use in public worship

Lord God, eternal and all-powerful Father, we confess and acknowledge without equivocation before your holy majesty, that we are poor sinners, conceived and born in iniquity and corruption, inclined to do evil, useless for any good, and that from our sinfulness we transgress your holy commandments without end or ceasing. In so doing we earn for ourselves destruction and perdition by your just judgment. Yet, Lord, we are grieved with ourselves for having offended you. And we condemn ourselves and our sins, with true repentance, desiring that your grace help our misery.

Therefore, have pity on us, most gracious God and Father, full of mercy, in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Set us free by erasing our sins and stains. And increase in us day by day the graces of your Holy Spirit, in order that we may acknowledge our unrighteousness with all our hearts, and that we may be touched with grief causing true repentance, which, putting to death all our sins, may produce fruits of righteousness and purity pleasing to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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