32. The prayer of an humble and a contrite spirit

" Ad te, Domine, levavi animam " To thee have I lifted up my soul, O Lord" " who dwellest in heaven.''* 1 . 0 Lord God ! whose wisdom and justice regulate all things in heaven and in earth, — angels, men, and every created being, instead of the exalted praise and thanksgiving which are Thy due, vouchsafe to accept in offering, the tribulations and anguish of a heart truly sorry for its manifold transgressions. Whatever is of evil in me, do Thou turn into good ; and the good, do o o o o Thou still convert into better ; for the glory of Thy name, and the eternal salvation of my soul. Thou knovvest all my infirmity, all my ignorance, and the wonted fickleness of my mind and memory : — how quickly I wander hither and thither; very often alas! still farther from Thee. Spare me, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy mercies, and direct my wandering footsteps to Thee. Preserve my heart in Thy presence, day and night ever engaged, — as far as this frail body will bear, — in devout prayer and holy meditation.

2. I desire, O Lord, to appease Thy benign countenance with sacred offerings and prayers, particularly with the needy man's three mites, viz. : — contrition of heart, confession of mouth, and humble satisfaction. O Lord, my God, supremely loved, be mindful of me o o Thy poor servant, since I am a weak mortal, not a pure angel ; a vile sinner, not an innocent lamb ; tepid in prayer, not fervent in contemplation : — Therefore unworthy to be counted Thy servant, nor regarded among Thy pious worshippers. 0 Lord God of my heart, deign then to accept the prayer of Thy humble servant ; accept my bitter sorrow for past offences, as Thou receivest the sweet songs, and harmonious jubilations of all the celestial inhabitants. Although I often fall, and my soul is sad from my wretched frailty, still do I not, nor shall I ever, despair of Thy mercy and pardon.

Through the whole period of my life, I cease not, nor shall I ever cease, to sing Thy praise, but I shall ever honour and magnify Thy name, until my soul will go to seek Thee, my God ; for to praise and love Thee above all things without cessation, is the supreme happiness of the angels and saints in Thy heavenly kingdom.