grace to relieve our distress

Our Father shows compassion to those who fear him, like a father to his children, because he knows our frame, and remembers that we are but dust. Psalm 103

Father,

[Since that is true,]
we confess and acknowledge without pretense before your holy Majesty,
that we are poor sinners,
conceived and born in iniquity and corruption;
prone to do what is evil, incapable of any good;
and that in our depravity, we endlessly transgress your holy commandments.
And so, in your just judgment, we deserve ruin and damnation.

But Father, we are displeased with ourselves for having offended you,
and we condemn ourselves and our vices with true repentance,
longing for your grace to relieve our distress.
May you, therefore, have mercy upon us,
most gentle and merciful God and Father,
in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Master.

And as you blot out our vices and blemishes,
extend and increase the graces of your Holy Spirit to us day by day,
so that as we acknowledge our unrighteousness with all our heart,
we might feel the sorrow that gives birth to true penitence,
which as we mortify our sins may produce fruits of righteousness
and innocence pleasing to you, through Jesus, Messiah, our Master.

Yes, and very amen, in Jesus’ name.

John Calvin