As I gaze upon You, O Jesus, in this Holy Icon from which graces and miraculous cures radiate constantly, I begin to realize Who You are and what I am.

You are good, merciful and overflowing with love—I, wretched, unforgiving and weighted down with sin. Conscious of this I fearfully prostrate myself before You and as David, repentantly cry out to You: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your mercy; according to the multitude of your kindness blot out my iniquity, O ever merciful Jesus.

To the blind who have come to adore You before this Holy Icon, You have given sight. Enlighten me also with the rays of your grace so that I may see the malice of my transgressions.

The mute, You have restored speech. Grant that I may become insensible to shame and mute to malice so that I could confess my sins with a heart truly contrite.

You cleansed the wounds of lepers, cleanse my soul which is covered with the vileness of sin.

O Jesus, Infinite Love, hear the prayers of your servant whom you redeemed not with silver or gold, but with the priceless drops of Your Most Sacred Blood.

Hear me, as I humbly call to You and do not turn your loving glance from me, lest the enemies of my soul mockingly reproach me saying: You trusted in Him!

As I make my earthly sojourn, grant me the grace to have You always in my heart, in my thoughts, and on my lips, so that in the hereafter I could be with You in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.

O Lord and Master of my life,
keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement,
lust of power and idle chatter.

[Prostration]

Instead, grant to me Your servant,
the spirit of wholeness of being,
humble-mindedness, patience, and love.

[Prostration]

O Lord and King,
grant me the grace to be aware of my sins
and not to judge my brother;
for You are blessed now and ever, and forever.
Amen.

[Prostration]

(The following prayer is repeated four times, making a total of twelve bows)

O God, be merciful to me a sinner.

[bow]

O God, cleanse me of my sins, and have mercy on me.

[bow]

O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.

[bow]

Let us begin this Fast in joy, shining with the commandments of Christ our God, with the light of charity and the brightness of prayer, with purity of heart and the energy of the strong, so that we might nobly hasten to the third day Resurrection, which sheds its immortal light over all the world.

When I am assured of your invincible prayer, O Mother of God, I am saved from my oppressors against all hope; for you come to the aid of the faithful who call on you, and you dispel the darkness of sin. Therefore, we give you thanks and cry out: Accept our poor offerings of gratitude for your constant protection.

O Christ our God, in all times and places You are worshiped and glorified both in heaven and on earth.
You are long-suffering and generous in Your mercy and compassion.
You love the Just and show mercy to the sinner, calling all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come.
Deem, O Lord, at this very hour, to receive our supplications and to direct our lives in the path of Your commandment.
Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set right our minds; cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all affliction, trouble, and distress; surround us with Your holy Angels so that, guided and guarded in their camp, we may attain oneness of faith and the knowledge of Your unspeakable glory.
For You are blessed forever and ever.
Amen.

From the Hours of Great Lent

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