While I was praying yesterday morning I tried so hard to resist having to write this prayer down, but, as always, it won. As an added bonus, the second line of each couplet arrived first, so I had to work backwards!
O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you (Psalm 69:5; NLT).
Jesus, you know all my sins:
Forgive me; let me start again.
I’ll give up all my selfish ways:
Please strengthen me to start anew.
Taking up my cross, I’ll serve:
Enable me to start afresh.
Jesus, you’re my only hope:
Permit me, Lord, to follow you.
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).
References
Forgive all my sins (Psalm 25:18; NLT).
He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD (Psalm 25:7; NLT).
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more (Isaiah 43:25; NIV).
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19; NIV).
A reading from Psalm 103:8-14; NLT.
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
The Rosary Hospital
I was really pleased with how this rosary worked out, but when I trimmed off the excess cord, one junction started to fray. I still glued it, but knew in my heart of hearts that it wasn’t good enough. So I photographed it, then took it to pieces, ready to re-make it tomorrow: even a rosary can “start again”.
