Online
Coptic Prayer
Book

Prayer Before Confession

Holy Father, who
wishes the repentance of sinners, promising to accept them back; look, O Lord,
at this moment, at a sinful soul who had erred and lost her way in the valleys
of transgressions for many years, and wherein she was embittered and wretched
for being removed from the fountain of her salvation.

Yet now she comes
forth to Thee, asking to be cleansed from all defilement and filth that
sullied her. Accept and reject her not, for whether Thou look at her with
compassion and deal with her mercifully she will be cleansed and saved; or
whether Thou neglect her she will perish.

Grant me grace to
come near Thee with faith unshaken and full of hope to confess my trespasses
and despise them. Let Thy spirit reprove me for my sins.

Enlighten my heart
that I may see how greatly did I err, misbehave, and forsake the way.

Grant me
determination to forsake evil that I may be established in Thy commandments
and live to glorify Thy Holy Name. Amen.

---